We would like to make your first visit to the practice as straightforward as possible. Basically, this visit is an information-gathering exercise for both of us. We need to know what your needs and wishes are and you need to know what your treatment options might be.
You will be greeted by our Practice Manager and treatment coordinator, Jenny Pledger, who will take notes from you regarding your medical status, and dental concerns. This consultation is in a separate quiet room away from the surgery and lounge. It is very helpful if you can bring a list of any medication that you are taking.
Once Jenny has created a computer record for you, she will ask you through to the treatment room, where Dr Carolyn Copping, our dentist will examine your mouth.
We will take detailed notes about the way your jaw moves in function and we will check for any lumps or bumps, rashes or patches in the mouth which may warrant further investigation or treatment. We will look at each tooth and assess its health, and make a note of any options for treatment you may wish to think about. We often take pictures of your teeth using a mini-camera, and generally we will take x ray views to check we haven’t missed anything between the teeth or under fillings which cannot be detected easily in the mouth.
Once that formal bit is done, it’s over to you! Jenny will accompany you back to the quiet room, and organise a cup of tea or coffee if you would like one. She will then present to you a detailed resume of our findings, together with different options for treatment, if needed. After that you can take things at your own pace. If you want to book for treatment there and then, we can plan a series of appointments as required, or you may wish to think about different treatments, and let us know when you are ready to proceed. If we have done our job well, you will understand the pros and cons of the options that are available to you, and also what could happen if you don’t proceed with treatment.
Whatever you decide, we take the view that you are the decision-maker; we are there to help you make an informed choice about what is right for YOU. |
