New Patient Exam
What Is A New Patient Exam?
A New Patient Exam is a comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate your oral health history, detect any potential dental issues, and create a personalized care plan that fits your needs. The exam includes a detailed review of your teeth, gums, and overall oral tissues, often with the help of modern technology like dental X-rays to uncover hidden issues. Whether you’re seeking preventive care, restorative treatments, or cosmetic enhancements, this exam is the starting point to ensure your oral health remains in peak condition.
Before you deciding on whether New Patient Exam are right for you, there are some things you should know:
- Who Needs A New Patient Exam?
- Benefits Of The New Patient Exam
- How Much Does A New Patient Exam Cost?
- What Are The Steps In The New Patient Exam Procedure?
- Frequently Asked Questions About New Patient Exams
If you have any further questions about the New Patient Exam or other dental services offered at Atlas Dental, please contact us.
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Our patients love us! See for yourself why more and more people are choosing Atlas Dental for new patient dental examinations.
Who Needs A New Patient Exam?
A New Patient Exam is recommended for:
- New Toronto residents: If you’ve just moved to Toronto and need a trusted dental provider, this exam will help establish a baseline for your oral health.
- First-time dental patients: If you’ve never visited a dentist before, the New Patient Exam is the perfect starting point for your oral care journey.
- Changing dental providers: Switching from another dentist? This exam allows us to assess your current dental health and create a treatment plan that fits your needs.
- Long gaps between dental visits: If you haven’t had a check-up in some time, this exam helps catch any issues that may have developed.
- Specific dental concerns: If you have particular concerns (e.g., tooth sensitivity, cosmetic desires), we’ll address them during this thorough evaluation.
Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where you can feel comfortable discussing your dental needs and working towards achieving optimal oral health. If you have further questions about the New Patient Exam, please contact us.
Benefits Of The New Patient Exam
There are numerous benefits to starting your dental care with a New Patient Exam:
- Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment: We evaluate your teeth, gums, jaw, and soft tissues to identify any potential issues.
- Personalized Treatment Plan: Based on the findings, we’ll create a treatment plan tailored to your needs, addressing preventive care, restorative work, and any cosmetic concerns.
- Early Detection of Dental Problems: We can detect issues like cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer early, ensuring they are treated before they become more serious.
- Preventive Care: Regular exams help prevent costly and invasive procedures down the road.
- Building a Relationship: This is the first step in establishing a long-term relationship with our team to maintain your dental health.
- Patient Education: We educate you on maintaining your oral health, providing valuable tips and product recommendations.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing the current state of your dental health will help ease any anxieties about potential issues.
By investing in this initial examination, you’re taking a proactive step towards achieving and maintaining excellent oral health for the long term. If you have further questions about the New Patient Exam, please contact us.
Cost of Complete Oral Exam
The cost of a Complete Oral Exam (or New Patient Examination) depends on the patient’s age and the age of their dentition. The codes relevant to complete examinations for patients in the Ontario Dental Association’s Suggested Fee Guide appear as follows:
- 01101 – Examination and Diagnosis, Complete, Primary Dentition: $90
- 01102 – Examination and Diagnosis, Complete, Mixed Dentition: $133
- 01103 – Examination and Diagnosis, Complete, Permanent Dentition: $178
These fees do not include the cost of dental x-rays. Therefore, a typical adult exam could cost as low as $178 (no additional x-rays required if patient brings their own recent x-rays) or up to $413 (with 6 periapical x-rays at $80, 4 bitewing x-rays at $73, and a panoramic x-ray at $82). The dentist will customize the number of x-rays for your depending on your dental needs.
Complete Oral Exams are considered a basic service under all dental insurance plans and should be covered to your maximum insurable limit, but be sure to find out from your dental insurance plan provider how much you are eligible for before going ahead with dental treatment. Our fees are consistent with the ODA Fee Guide.
For patients without dental insurance, Atlas Dental is pleased to offer dental financing through Dentalcard. Affordable payment plans start at 7.95% for terms of 6 months to 6 years. To learn more about Dentalcard dental treatment financing, follow this link.
Steps In The New Patient Exam Procedure
Here’s what you can expect during your first visit:
- Review of Medical and Dental History: Fill out our New Patient Form before your visit. This will provide us with valuable insights into your past treatments, current medications, and any specific dental concerns.
- Dental X-rays: These are taken to give us a deeper look into your teeth and bone structure, uncovering problems like cavities or infections that aren’t visible.
- Visual Examination: We conduct a thorough visual exam of your teeth, gums, and mouth to identify any visible issues such as decay or signs of gum disease.
- Periodontal Assessment: We evaluate the health of your gums to check for early signs of gum disease.
- Oral Cancer Screening: We look for signs of oral cancer, checking areas like your lips, tongue, and throat.
- Discussion of Concerns: This is your chance to voice any concerns you have about your dental health, whether it’s cosmetic, functional, or related to discomfort.
- Personalized Treatment Plan: Based on the findings, we develop a plan tailored to address any issues and help you maintain optimal oral health.
- Patient Education and Advice: Our team provides advice on brushing, flossing, and products that will help maintain your dental hygiene.
- Follow-up Appointments: If needed, we will schedule any necessary treatments, follow-ups, or additional diagnostic procedures.
Open communication with your dental team during this process will ensure you receive the best possible care for your oral health. If you have further questions about the steps in the New Patient Exam, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Patient Exams
- How long does the New Patient Exam take?
The exam typically takes 45-60 minutes, depending on the complexity of your oral health and whether additional treatments or X-rays are needed.
- Can I have a New Patient Exam if I’m pregnant?
Yes, but it’s important to inform your dentist about your pregnancy before scheduling. We can adjust the exam or postpone X-rays if necessary.
- What should I bring to my New Patient Exam?
Please bring your medical and dental history, as well as any previous dental X-rays (if applicable), and your dental insurance information.
- How often should I have a New Patient Exam?
After your first exam, it’s generally recommended to visit your dentist for a check-up every 6 to 12 months, depending on your oral health and risk factors.
At Atlas Dental, we’re committed to providing exceptional dental care in a welcoming environment. Whether you’re a new patient or returning after a long break, please contact us to schedule your appointment