There are many firsts in life. When many people think of the firsts in their life, they think of things like their first kiss, their first job, their first house. However, there are many other firsts that are rarely considered. One of these things is going to a new dentist for the first time. This particular first can be frightening and stressful for a myriad of reasons. Many people have an incredibly deep seated fear of dentists which inevitably causes a serious adverse reaction to a dental appointment. Also, many people hesitate to go to the dentist is the cost. Many insurance plans do not cover dental visits which means that the entire cost is left to the patient. For some, this is no problem, but for many others, the cost is out of reach. Others still avoid going to the dentist because they do not feel that they have the time to go to regular dental appointments. For many people, whether you avoid the dentist like the plague or go every six months, seeing a new dentist is stressful. Thankful, there are several ways to alleviate much of the stress associated with your first visit with a new dentist. What you will find here is various ways to keep the stress at bay along with some tips to help make the appointment go as smoothly as possible.
The first tip may sound like it is obvious, but take a moment to consider the entirety of it. Choose the best dentist for you and your needs. Obviously you want to pick the best dentist, but that does not mean the same thing to every person. It is important to look at the situation in terms of what you need, not necessarily what the masses consider the best. Every person has individual, unique needs when it comes to various aspects of life such as which dentist to choose and what to buy at the grocery store. The difference being, instead of looking for dairy free options in the grocery store, you will look for things like a dentist with extended office hours. When you first decide to look for a new dentist, it is best to take the time to make a list of what you need. This list will inevitably be highly unique, so do not worry about what anyone else would put on their list. It only matters what is important to you. If you are having trouble getting started with your list, consider some of the most common concerns. This includes office hours, accepting your insurance, location of office, years of experience, and bedside manner. You do not have to include any of these if they are not important to you or you can add any combination or every single one. The goal here is to get the correct thought process in motion so that you can decide what you need and want from the dentist that you ultimately choose. If you are in the Willow Springs area, be sure to take a look at this link willowspringsdentistry.com and see if this office might be a match for you.
After you have taken the time to search out the dentist that most closely meets all of your needs, it is time to schedule the appointment. It is important to note that there are two situations that may have brought you to this point and each one requires a slightly different process in regards to scheduling. The first possibility is that, whatever the reason you needed a new dentist, you want to get in the first exam/checkup. If this is the case, you can take your time checking your schedule and making an appointment around everything else you have going on. You can ensure that you get a day and a time slot that works best for you. The second possible situation is that, you are sans dentist and have a dental emergency. A dental emergency can consist of several different things. A severe toothache, for example, is cause to see a dentist as soon as possible. It can also be that you have a tooth knocked out or bleeding for an issue with your teeth. When an emergency dose arise, you need to be seen as quickly as possible. This puts all of the scheduling rules out the door. In the case of an emergency, you need to make this appointment fit into your schedule, not the other way around.
Once the appointment has been made, there are a few things you can do to ensure everything goes as quickly and smoothly as possible upon arrival. For example, have your insurance documents and any other records or documents you may need, together and readily accessible. It is a good idea to place all of the documents you will need in an envelope. Then, place the envelope in your bag or pocket if you are headed straight to your appointment. If you have some time before the appointment, place the envelope in your vehicle or somewhere you will not forget it. If you are concerned that you may still forget it, set a reminder in your smartphone or other electronic device for a few minutes before you need to leave your residence. If you have placed the envelope in your vehicle, consider setting a reminder for the approximate time that you will be arriving so that you do not leave it in the vehicle.
Finally, do not just be on time, be early. There will inevitably be paperwork that must be filled out for your first appointment. By arriving early, you are allowing time to get the paperwork done before time for your appointment. This is not only efficient, it also prevents wasted time for you and the dentist. If it is not possible for you to arrive early, make sure you are on time, but if there is any possibility that you can be early, do it. If the situation is an emergency, there will not be as much paperwork beforehand, but it will still have to be done at some point. Always factor in a bit of extra time when at all possible.
