New Patient Experience
Comprehensive Exam
At Columbia Dental Group, we strive to provide you with the most up-to-date, evidence-based care available. It is important for us to treat you the way you want to be treated and address concerns that are important to you. We know that standard looks different for every patient.
It is important at this first visit, we establish any treatment goals so we can best serve you as a life-long patient. We do ask that you reserve two hours for your initial comprehensive care appointment. You are welcome to fill out your new patient paperwork beforehand as well so that we can be prepared and provide you with the best care that we can.
Comprehensive Medical History Review
A complete list of medicines, history of surgeries, symptoms, and screenings will allow us to treat your dental health needs with a systemic health approach. Many of our patients find it surprising how many systemic health problems will affect their oral health. You will find several screenings throughout your paperwork that help us identify systemic or upper airway issues that will ultimately affect your teeth.
Please know we are asking these questions to address the root cause of dental disease. These will be reviewed between you and your provider to make the best treatment recommendation for you!
Non-Clinical Questions
Every patient comes to us with different dental experiences. We realize the dental office can often be a sterile environment. We want your experience to be different. We pride ourselves on being professional, yet fun! Your hygienist wants to get to know you and your expectations of our office. This is the perfect opportunity for you to ask questions and collaborate on treatment goals. This allows us to communicate best with you and work towards a common goal.
Diagnostics & Screenings
It is important for your providers to have all the evidence we need to make a proper diagnosis and provide you with the care you deserve. You may find that we utilize technology that you may not have seen prior to visiting our office. We use these technologies to assess and track chipping, wearing, gum recession, and gum inflammation.
We also use these diagnostics to identify dental decay and diagnose gum disease. In this first visit, we typically gather radiographic images (X-Rays), an Itero® scan (3D diagnostic scan), extraoral photos of the teeth, an upper airway screening, a comprehensive head and neck exam, and an oral cancer screening.
Periodontal Charting
It is important for our dental hygienists to access your gum health. Your gum health is the foundation of your oral health. We are often asked whether we will do your cleaning at this comprehensive exam. The periodontal assessment will allow us to make the proper recommendations for you. This assessment will determine whether we need to address active periodontal disease (gum disease) or if we can focus on preventative care and proceed with a prophylactic cleaning.
Your hygienist will discuss treatment options and goals so that we can partner with you to meet your dental and health-related goals. If you have any initial questions about periodontal disease, please see our menu option to learn more!
Doctor Exam & Treatment Planning
Dr. Clayton assesses these diagnostics to provide you with the best diagnosis and treatment recommendation. It is important to us that our patients always feel like they have a say in their treatment. Our hygienists will make sure to discuss treatment goals and your expectations for our office prior to your exam with Dr.Clayton to ensure we best communicate your treatment needs.
We look forward to having the opportunity to take care of you and your family!