Adult First Visit:
Your first visit to our office is the most important one. It gives both of us an opportunity to get to know each other. Upon calling to schedule your first appointment, either Kim or Sherri, our patient care coordinators, will answer to help you. They will ask a few general questions to determine what type of appointment is appropriate for your current needs. If you have dental insurance, Kim or Sherri will gather the necessary insurance information and will be happy to verify and prepare to file any dental insurance claims for you prior to your first visit. They will also ask you to visit our website to fill out and e-mail to us the necessary patient medical history forms prior to your visit, or arrive early to your first appointment to complete these forms.
Typically, the first visit will be with Dr. Dale and his assistant, Kristine. Kristine will go over your medical history and take any necessary x-rays. Dr. Dale will review the x-rays and begin his exam. This initial visit will last approximately one hour. The first visit will help us get acquainted with each other and learn about your goals and desires for your dental health.
Depending on your treatment goals and needs, Dr. Dale will customize a treatment plan specially for you. He will go over his recommended treatment, and one of our patient-care coordinators will prepare and print your personal treatment plan for your review. We will also determine your personal applicable insurance coverage for your recommended treatment plan, and discussthe estimated cost involved. Sherri or Kim will also go over all of our possible payment options, answer any questions you may have, and then schedule you for your next visit. Our goal is for you to fully understand your recommeded treatment and the cost involved before receiving the services Dr. Dale recommends.
Please note that typically a "cleaning" is not done during the first visit. Experience has shown us that every patient’s needs are different. We cannot anticipate what kind of cleaning a patient needs or how much time is required without an examination. In order to provide the best treatment possible, the appropriate amount of time should be reserved for preventive care. After the first visit, cleanings and checkups will be done at the same time.
We believe that excellent dental care beings with open communication! We promise to speak candidly with you about any symptoms present that may require further dental treatment, our recommendations, as well as any alternative treatments that may exist. By working together, we can achieve a true partnership with one common goal -- Keeping Your Smile Beautiful and Healthy!
Your Child’s First Visit:
Children love to visit Dr. Dale! We offer fun dental books to educate children about their first visit, Gameboys and internet for older children and movies for all ages. We are committed to assuring that our youngest patients enjoy their dental visits and look forward to visiting our office again. Through education and a very gentle approach, our patients are put at ease and enjoy their visit.
A child’s first dental experience is extremely important in promoting a lifetime of good oral health. Dr. Dale makes a child’s first visit very special. We print out a picture of our first time patient, just in case Mom or Dad forget the camera! Children with no cavities receive a personalized certificate to celebrate their healthy smile! Of course, no trip to the dentist would be complete without a trip to the treasure chest for a special toy, a goodie bag and a pack of sugar free gum! No wonder our patients are so excited about having their teeth cleaned!
We look forward to meeting you at your first visit!