New Patients

We believe the most important visit you have with us is your Examination appointment. This is where we can assess what, if anything, needs doing and decide the best way forwards to a healthier mouth. At your first visit we will ask you to fill out a medical history questionnaire as well as talk to you about your past dental experiences. We will also discuss whether there is any family history of disease.  We will take time to discuss any concerns or problems you may have with your teeth and gums including how your teeth look.  If you are anxious about dentists, we will talk you through what you are afraid of and discuss ways to make you feel more comfortable.  Once we have talked through your concerns we will then carry out a full examination.

What’s in an Examination

• Checking inside the mouth for signs of oral cancer
• Checking salivary glands and neck for any lumps that might be suspicious
• Check jaw joints for abnormalities
• Assess the occlusion (bite)
• Assess the soft tissues for infections or other conditions
• Confirm previous dental work is satisfactory
• Check for tooth decay
• Check gums for signs of disease and how well the teeth are being cared for
• Sometimes X-rays are taken to look closer
• Check for tooth surface loss due to grinding or excessive acid
• Check about problems such as headaches, migraines and sleep problems
• Check about snoring or sleep apnoea
• Check if there are any worries about the appearance of your teeth such as the colour or position
• Check if there are any other cosmetic issues such as smoking lines or frown lines

Once we have collected all this information we formulate and discuss your treatment options, providing you with the costs for each one. We discuss prevention measures such as diet and the use of Fluoride to prevent decay as well as ‘Stop Smoking’ advice. We will discuss our preventative plans and identify what is right for you.