What happens when you call as a new patient?
First, when you call as a new patient, we have a couple of questions for you. This is really to understand what's important to you. We want to get a good idea of why you're coming in. If there's anything you need that we can know ahead of time, that really helps the doctor and clinical team prepare appropriately based on your needs.
What happens once you're in the office?
Once you're in the office, we do an exam. We do X-rays if they're needed. We look at what type of cleaning you need and determine the appropriate care for you.
Then the doctor will come in and review everything, talk to you about your goals for your oral health, and discuss how we can be a partner in helping you achieve those goals or maintain the health you already have. We're here to help with any questions you have and support you in taking care of your oral health.
What if you're nervous about coming in?
I often hear from patients, "Oh, I'm so stressed out because it's been so long since I've been in." There's no judgment at our office. We would rather you come in so we can see what's going on and help you get things taken care of. We're really proud of those patients who are able to work through that fear and come in.
When you give us a call, feel free to share that you're a little nervous. We can adjust the appointment to your preferences when possible. We've got headphones so you can zone out and watch Netflix with noise-canceling headphones, and we have blankets to keep you comfy. Let us know what may help you feel more comfortable during your visit.
What if you're in pain and need to be seen quickly?
Sometimes we get calls because a patient has something going on that's really bothering them. No one likes to be in pain, and we want to evaluate what's causing it and determine how we can help.
When you give us a call, we'll do our best to fit you in as soon as we can. Ideally, we can get you in that same day, depending on availability. We've got clinicians with different skill sets, so we're able to address many different patient needs and determine the appropriate next step.
How do you help patients plan treatment?
Throughout the appointment, the clinical team is really going to align with your goals and how we can help you achieve them. Then it's my job, or one of the other treatment coordinators' jobs, to come in and figure out, based on your budget and your needs, how we can help you move forward.
The clinical team lays out the recommended treatment, and then we work with you to figure out how that treatment may fit with your time, budget, and other needs. We're here to help you understand your options and determine how you want to move forward.
We're happy to follow up with you and keep connecting. If you need to come back in for a second visit and talk things through, we're absolutely here. Whatever way we can help you stay on top of your oral health, we're here to support you.
If you're ready to schedule an exam or would like to learn more about our services, we'd love to hear from you. Call us at (847) 780-2114 or email [email protected]. We look forward to caring for your smile.