At Forest Hill Family Dental, we realize that visiting the dentist can be a somewhat stressful occurrence. Even if you don’t suffer from dental anxiety, the business of everyday life can also make important details tough to recall. In order to get the most from your dental appointment and maximize your time spent in the dental chair, we at Forest Hill Family Dentistry have taken the time to devise a checklist for your next dental visit. Making a checklist for your next dental visit will help make sure you are adequately prepared for your appointment, which make you calmer. The following are things that we believe you should include in your pre-appointment checklist:
Verify Your Appointment
In order to prevent any confusion regarding appointment time, we recommend that you verify your appointment time. Our office will usually call the day before to remind you, however you can call in before that to verify your appointment time. Either way, be sure to note your appointment time and give yourself enough time to arrive on time. While verifying your appointment, you may also want to ask for directions if it is your first visit or if you are unsure about our location. It is important to know where you are going and what time you need to be there to avoid feeling flustered upon your arrival.
Bring Your Insurance Cards and Payment
If you have dental insurance, make sure to bring your dental insurance card to your appointment. Depending on the nature of your appointment, you may need to submit a pre-authorization to your insurance company in order to determine your coverage level. Having your insurance card present will expedite this process.You will also need to have a method of payment to pay for other services. Those with dental insurance may have full coverage for check ups, but additional treatment usually requires a copay, or out of pocket expense.
Bring Medical Information
Oral health is closely related to overall health, meaning that bringing your medical information to your appointment is important. If you are a new patient, you will be asked to fill out a medical history form. These forms must be filled out as accurately as possible so our dentist can give you the best possible care and treatment plan. Some medical conditions and prescriptions can cause or affect certain dental conditions, so it is important to share this information with our dentists.
Make a List of Questions
The final thing you will want to do in preparation for your appointment is to make a list of questions you have about your oral health. In the weeks or days leading up to your appointment, take careful consideration of your oral habits and any issues you may have. You will want to note if you feel any pain or discomfort, or notice any redness, swelling, or bleeding in your mouth. Some other possible things to discuss with our dentists are issues with teeth grinding, questions about brushing or flossing habits or techniques, or questions about brands, products, and tools like toothpaste, toothbrushes, and floss.