Your New Patient Experience at Gentle Family Dentistry
by Lori Richardson, Office Manager at Gentle Family Dentistry

Many new patients visiting Gentle Family Dentistry (GFD) find the experience unlike any dental appointment they've ever had. From your initial phone call, to the time you finish at the front desk, the staff at GFD strive to make your visit as pleasant as possible.

When you call our office as a new patient the receptionist will complete a 'New Patient Intake Form'. This is a form we use to gather important information so your first appointment goes smoothly. We'll ask questions about your contact information, your dental history, who we might thank for referring you, and some very basic medical questions. We'll then search our available appointments for a time that works best for you. When feasible we will mail a packet to you containing the forms you'll need for your first visit. This will enable you to complete them in the comfort of your own home, at your leisure.

When you arrive for your appointment, we will ask for your new patient forms and also for your insurance card, if applicable, so we can make a copy of it. Our receptionist will notify your provider that you have arrived and are ready to be seen.

You will first be treated by one of our highly qualified dental hygienists. She will review your dental and medical history with you in the privacy of one of our treatment rooms. A full mouth set of digital x-rays (a series of 18 films) will be taken and posted on the screen so they can be viewed by the hygienist during the hygiene treatment and also by the doctor during the exam. The hygienist will measure the pocket depths around your teeth using a small instrument and these measurements will be recorded in your personal record. She will also take several pictures with our intra-oral camera and store them in your own imaging folder. When your hygiene care has neared completion the doctor will come into your treatment room and do a thorough new patient exam. This exam will include a complete check of your teeth and the surrounding gum tissue and also a visual oral cancer exam. The doctor will compare the visual exam information with the full mouth x-rays to determine the best treatment options for you.

When you return to the front desk after your appointment the receptionist will enter your services and collect any payments for patient portions and deductibles. If you have future work that needs to be done, we will enter a treatment plan and review it with you. Our office staff will call your insurance company for a list of your benefits so you can make an informed decision regarding your treatment options. We will then be happy to schedule any necessary future appointments.

At GFD we make every effort to make your visit here as enjoyable and convenient as possible.

** This article written by Lori Richardson, Office Manager at Gentle Family Dentistry in New Berlin, WI. Copyright© 2007 Gentle Family Dentistry (http://www.gfdonline.com). All rights reserved.