Preparing for Your First Dentist Visit
Let’s get ready for your first visit to Parklane Dental!
Getting Documents Ready
We understand many patients feel anxious before their visit… and we are here to guide you every step of the way!
To help you prepare, here’s a simple checklist of documents to bring to your visit. Please provide the following information and documents before your first visit:
1) Referral Slip and X-rays
If you were referred by another dentist, please bring your referral slip or card from your dentist. This document may include treatment notes that help our doctors coordinate your care.
Many patients may have recent x-rays. You may request that your previous dental office to send us your recent x-ray images. If additional x-rays are needed, we can take them during your visit using our advanced in-room x-ray technology.
2) Health History
Your overall health matters to your smile! Please prepare your health history before your appointment so we can provide the safest and most effective care for you.
This form helps us understand any medical conditions, past surgeries, or allergies that could affect your dental treatment or medications we may use. All information is kept private and used solely to tailor your dental care.
3) Medications
Prepare a list of any medications you are currently taking.
Some medications may affect the dental treatment or anesthesia you receive. Please let us know in advance if you have any medical conditions or require pre-medication before your appointment.
4) Dental Insurance
Please bring your dental insurance card with you.
Your insurance card typically includes important information like your plan ID number, group number, coverage dates, and group name. If the plan is under a guardian or spouse, we also need the subscriber’s name, date of birth, and relationship to the patient.
While insurance coverage is the patient’s responsibility, our Treatment Coordinators are happy to help verify your plan benefits and assist with your questions.
5) Check-in Time
Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to complete your paperless registration. This allows you time to enter your medical history and other patient details before your exam begins.
At check-in, please present your photo ID, insurance card, medication list, referral slip, and any x-rays.
IMPORTANT FOR MINORS:
A parent or legal guardian must accompany any patient under the age of 18. Consent from a parent or legal guardian is required for all treatments and procedures. For patient safety, only one guardian may accompany a minor during their visit.
Oral Health Assessment
Children entering California public schools for the first time may need an Oral Health Assessment Form completed by a pediatric dentist. If required, our dental team can help you complete the form for your school.
Book your first visit to Arcadia or Temple City!
Adding to Your Calendar
Let’s mark your calendar! The length of your visit may vary depending on your dental needs:
- New adult patient visits: approx. 2 hours for exam, x-rays, and cleaning.
- New pediatric visits: approx. 1 hour.
- Emergency visits: time varies based on the nature of the dental emergency.
When appropriate for your case, some recommended treatments may be completed the same day. In other cases, a follow-up appointment may be scheduled to give your dental team time to prepare your personalized treatment plan.
Questions?
We understand how scary the first visit can be! Our Arcadia dentists and Temple City dentists prepared our handy guide to answer common questions from our new patients for their first visit to Parklane Dental!
