PREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT

Preparing for Your Visit: What to Expect

Need a teeth cleaning in Dover, DE? Here’s what to expect during a typical visit at our office.

Regular dental exams are an important part of preventive health care. Let’s talk about why it’s important to stay routine with your dentist and what you can expect during a typical visit to our office.

During your dental exam, our hygienist will clean your teeth and check gum disease. Our dentist, Dr. Coope, will spend time going over your overall oral health; evaluating your risk of developing other oral health problems by checking your face, neck and mouth for abnormalities during what’s called an oral cancer screening. A dental exam might also include dental x-rays or other diagnostic procedures.

During a dental exam, our hygienists and dentist will likely discuss your diet and oral hygiene habits and might demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques.

New Patient Paperwork

Please download and bring with you the following document for your first visit.

Prepare for Your Visit

Require a teeth cleaning in Dover, DE? Wondering what to anticipate during a standard visit to our office? Regular dental check-ups play a crucial role in preventive healthcare. Let’s delve into why maintaining routine appointments with your dentist is essential and provide insights into a typical visit to our practice.

In the course of your dental examination, our hygienist will conduct a thorough cleaning of your teeth while assessing for gum disease. Dr. Coope, our dentist, will carefully review your overall oral health, gauging the potential risk of developing other oral health issues through an oral cancer screening by examining your face, neck, and mouth for abnormalities. Additional diagnostic procedures, such as dental x-rays, may also be part of the dental exam.

Throughout the dental exam, our hygienists and dentist are likely to engage in discussions about your diet and oral hygiene practices, potentially offering demonstrations of proper brushing and flossing techniques. Regular dental exams are fundamental to preventive care, ensuring the maintenance of optimal oral health.

New Patient Paperwork

Please download the PDF below and bring with you the printed document for your first visit.

WHY?

Regular dental check-ups are essential for safeguarding both your oral health and well-being. These examinations provide your dentist with the opportunity to identify any issues at an early stage, when they are most manageable. While the cost of dental visits may seem daunting, we like to compare dentistry to car maintenance. Just as it’s more cost-effective to change the oil regularly in your car than to replace the entire engine when it malfunctions, routine dental care offers the best chance to minimize costs and maintain optimal oral health. Addressing dental issues when they are minor can save you significant expenses in the long run.

WHY?

Regular dental exams help protect your oral health and general well-being. A dental exam gives your dentist a chance to detect any problems early — when they’re most treatable. It might feel like going to the dentist is expensive, but we always tell our patients that dentistry can be similar to a car. Is it cheaper to change to oil in your car regularly, or never change the oil and just replace the motor when it explodes? Right! Routine maintenance is what gives you your best chance to keep dental costs down and your teeth in the best shape possible. Treating problems when they are small will help save you thousands of dollars down the road.

WHEN?

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that patients schedule regular dental exams at intervals determined by a dentist, anywhere from every 6 months to every 3 months. Frequency is determined by risk factors such as periodontitis.

WHAT?

The following is what will be done during a dental exam:

Evaluate your overall health and oral hygiene
Take dental x-rays if necessary
Remove Stains or deposits of tartar or plaque on your teeth
Evaluate your risk for tooth decay and gum or bone disease
Demonstrate proper hygiene techniques
Recommend any necessary treatment

During the exam, your dentist or hygienist will ask if you are on any medication and or if you have any health problems and how it might affect your oral health. If you have any dental prosthetics or replacements, your dentist or hygienist will assess the fit and discuss whether adjustments are necessary.

WHAT?

During a dental exam, the hygienists and Dr. Coope will together, as a team, do the following:

Take dental x-rays if necessary
Evaluate your overall health and oral hygiene (i.e sugar frequency, tobacco use, etc.)
Remove stains or deposits (such as tarter or plaque) on your teeth during your dental cleaning
Evaluate your risk of tooth decay and gum or bone disease
Demonstrate proper hygiene techniques
Propose any treatment needed

During a dental exam, your dentist or hygienist will also ask about any health problems you have or medications you’re taking and discuss how they might affect your oral health. If you have prosthetic replacements — such as dentures or bridges — your dentist or hygienist will examine how well they fit and discuss the need for adjustments.

PREPARE

If you were seen at a different dental office before, you may be asked to sign a records release form so we have access to your prior dental records. All new patients will be asked to fill out our New Patient packet (available here) and bring in your insurance card and list of current medications.

If you’re anxious about having a dental exam or procedure, share your concerns with your dentist or hygienist. He or she might be able to adjust your treatment or make suggestions to help you feel more comfortable.

RESULTS

After your dental exam, the dentist or hygienist will discuss your oral health, including your risk of tooth decay, gum disease and any other oral health problems, and preventive measures you can take to improve and protect your oral health.

The dentist or hygienist will also recommend the best time to return for a follow-up visit. If you’re at high risk of tooth decay or gum disease or have other oral health problems, the dentist or hygienist might recommend more frequent checkups like mentioned above.

RESULTS

The final step of a dental exam involves a discussion about the findings and any necessary follow-up actions. During this phase, your dentist or hygienist will provide insights into the overall health of your teeth and gums, address any concerns or issues detected during the examination, and propose potential treatments or further preventive measures. This discussion is an essential part of the dental exam, ensuring that you are well-informed about your oral health status and enabling you to make informed decisions about your dental care.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call the office at 302-741-2044 and we’ll be happy to help!

Financial Policies & Payment Options

For your convenience, in addition to cash, and check, we accept all major credit cards, FSA (Flex Spending Accounts), CareCredit and Lending Club.

There is a $25 fee for any returned checks. Due to our high standards for quality and care, it is our payment policy to collect the appropriate payment due from the patient at the time services are rendered unless other arrangements have been made in advance. This may only be your copayment and deductible amounts, but we do ask for payment at the time of your visit. If you have questions regarding your account, please contact us at 302-741-2044.

Please remember you are fully responsible for all fees charged by this office for treatment received regardless of your insurance coverage. It is the responsibility of all patients to know the details of their insurance plan. Any amount that we tell you your insurance will pay is only an ESTIMATE and we DO NOT guarantee that is the correct amount. If our estimate is incorrect we will send you a statement with your remaining balance. Please note that insurance is not a requirement to be seen at our office and we welcome patients who would be considered “self-pay”.

Our office requires a deposit to schedule any non-routine appointments. This deposit is applied to the balance of your service.

Financing Options

If finances are an issue, we work with the CareCredit and Lending Club. These are credit cards that are designed to be used entirely for health needs and are accepted and thousands of locations nationwide. Certain patients and procedures may qualify for interest free financing. Learn more about these companies by visiting their websites or feel free to call us with any questions (302) 741-2044. If you’re ready to apply online to finance your treatment with us, here are the options we recommend.

PREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT