New Patient FAQs | Merrickville, ON | Merrickville Dentistry

How do I transfer dental offices?

If you decide to become a patient of ours, we will first have you sign a consent from. This requires your previous office to release your records to us. All you need to do is sign the consent form, and we will take care of the rest! It is best to sign the consent form prior to your first appointment, as there may be crucial information such as x-rays that we may need for your appointment

How long is the first appointment and what does it entail?

The first appointment for an adult is usually about an hour long. During the initial visit we need to take several x-rays of your teeth in order to give an accurate diagnosis. If we have recent x-rays from your previous office, we can use those, but if they are over a year old, we usually need to take new ones.

The first appointment also involves filling out a periodontal chart for your mouth. This involves taking measurements of the pockets between your teeth and gums to determine whether your teeth and gums are healthy, or if there is gum disease present. We may also take intra-oral photographs of your teeth and specific areas of concern to better explain to you the conditions present in your mouth.

For children, the initial exam takes only about twenty minutes to half an hour depending on the age of the child. It is a good idea to bring your children to the dentist early on so they can familiarize themselves with the office and the dentist. We normally do not take x-rays on children unless there is a specific area of concern. We also do not take measurements of the gums for children because their gum tissue hasn’t had time to form pockets between the teeth.

What happens after the first appointment?

After the dentist has made a diagnosis, we will make a treatment plan for your specific needs. Based on these needs we will make future appointments at your convenience and personal schedule to accommodate you as best we can. Normally, the first appointment after the initial exam is to have your teeth cleaned. This can be done the same day as your exam, or we can have you come back at a later date. Usually, depending on the condition of your teeth and gums, a hygiene appointment takes about 45minutes to an hour. For patients who are suffering periodontal disease, hygiene appointments will take longer and can often be spread out over the course of two to three appointments depending on the severity of the case.

What if I have dental insurance coverage?

If you have dental insurance, please bring your member card or information with you on your first appointment. We will submit the claim for you electronically. You need to pay for the services provided up-front and then you will be reimbursed by your insurance company. If you have any information with regards to your coverage, it would be helpful for you to bring that with you as well. We are always willing to answer any questions you may have with regards to anything about the office, but especially insurance coverage because it can be confusing to understand at times.