New Patient Information, Forms, and FAQ’s

Coming into the office, timeliness and having the necessary forms can make your check in process much smoother.

Your initial appointment will consist of either a comprehensive exam or a consultation explaining your diagnosis and treatment options.

Occasionally, treatment and/or a cleaning may be done the same day. However, a complex medical history or treatment plan will require an evaluation and a second appointment to provide treatment on another day.

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your initial appointment to allow adequate time to fill out all necessary paperwork.

If you have dental insurance, please notify our receptionist at least one day prior to your appointment.

IMPORTANT: A parent or guardian must accompany all patients under 18 at the consultation visit.

Please alert the office if you have a medical condition that may be of concern prior to treatment (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, artificial heart valves and joints, rheumatic fever, etc.) or if you are on any medication (i.e. heart medications, aspirin, anticoagulant therapy, etc.) or require taking medication prior to dental cleanings (i.e antibiotics, for pre-med.)

X-Rays

If your previous dentist has taken recent x-rays (within 6-months), you may request that they forward them to our office. If there is not enough time, please pick them up and bring them to our office. If additional films are necessary, they can be taken at our facility.

Forms

These forms are in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat in order to open them. We recommend downloading the form before you start to fill it out. Some browsers will open it for you, but you can’t save your progress from that screen.  Download the form, open the file and either fill it out on your computer and print it out to sign it or print it out and answer the questions by hand. Don’t forget to bring the pages with you to your appointment! 😉

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I actually need to visit the dentist?

There are a few different ideas swirling around out there about how frequently you actually need to visit the dentist. Most people need to visit their dentist for a regular hygiene visit twice a year, or once every six months. There are exceptions to this rule, however. If you have gum disease, or a history of gum disease, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits. Another reason you may need to see the dentist more frequently is if you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. The bottom line is that you need to at least see the dentist twice a year and you need to comply if it is recommended that you make those visits more frequent.

How safe are dental X-rays?

Dental x-rays are very safe. The amount of radiation that a dental x-ray produces is about the same as you would receive from a cross country airplane ride. Radiation is measured in millirems and one dental x-ray has only .5 millirems.

What exactly is a cavity?

Everyone knows that cavities are bad, but a surprising amount of people don’t know exactly what cavities are. A cavity is simply a small hole in the tooth that develops as a result of tooth decay. In other words, decay eats away at the tooth and results in a void space that disrupts the structure of the tooth. It’s important to get cavities repaired because they will continue to grow larger with time.

How long will my dental restoration last?

A common misconception is that dental restorations last forever but unfortunately this is rarely true. With time dental restorations may break down or become loose, allowing decay to enter the area around the restoration and become problematic. Although you can’t expect your fillings, bridges, and crowns to last forever, you can do your part to make them last as long as possible. Maintain great oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly to keep those restorations in great condition for as long as possible.

What is the best way to whiten my teeth?

Patients ask us about whitening their teeth all the time. It’s a tough question because there is no universal answer that applies for everyone. The fastest and most effective way to whiten teeth is typically an in-office professional whitening procedure. However, depending how dramatic you need your results to be, you may not require this type of procedure. Our best advice is to speak with your dentist or dental hygienist about what type of teeth whitening they would recommend. The best results are always going to be a result of a professional treatment, but your dentist can help you determine which treatment is right for you.

COVID-19 (coronavirus) update: Our doors are open for all patients. Please click here to read a message from Dr. Herro about our commitment to your health and safety.