First visit
What to Expect at Your First Visit
An unhurried, comprehensive evaluation — and a clear plan for what comes next.
Your first visit is mostly about getting to know each other. We’ll examine your mouth carefully, listen to your concerns, and build a plan together — not hand you a treatment list and run.
The visit, step by step
Check-in and forms review. A comprehensive exam — every tooth, every gum pocket, your bite, your jaw, soft tissue. Digital X-rays if needed. An oral cancer screening. A professional cleaning. A clear, honest conversation about what we found and what (if anything) you want to do about it.
How long it takes
Plan on about 60 to 90 minutes. We don’t rush new-patient visits — taking time now means everything that follows is built on the right diagnosis.
Common Questions
Frequently asked
How long is the first visit?
Plan on 60 to 90 minutes. We don't rush new-patient visits — a thorough first exam means everything that follows is built on the right diagnosis.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Photo ID, your dental insurance card if you have one, a list of any medications you take, and any relevant medical history (heart conditions, diabetes, blood thinners). If another office has recent X-rays on file, ask them to send them over.
Will I get a cleaning at my first visit?
Usually, yes — for most new patients we complete the comprehensive exam and a thorough cleaning in the same visit. If your gum health requires deeper periodontal work (scaling and root planing), we'll schedule that as a follow-up.
Will you do X-rays?
If you don't have recent X-rays from another office, we'll take digital X-rays at your first visit. They're necessary to see what we can't see clinically — cavities between teeth, infections at root tips, bone levels around teeth. Modern digital X-rays use ~80% less radiation than the film X-rays of decades past.
What if I haven't been to the dentist in years?
You're welcome here. We see patients all the time who've avoided the dentist for one reason or another. There's no judgment — just a clear, honest plan to get your mouth healthy again, at whatever pace works for you. If anxiety has been the reason, tell us at booking and we'll plan extra time and offer nitrous oxide or oral sedation.
What if I have dental anxiety?
Mention it when you book — we'll plan extra time, walk you through every step before we do it, and offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or oral sedation if it helps.
Will Dr. Campbell discuss treatment cost before doing anything?
Yes. After your exam, we sit down and walk through what (if anything) your mouth needs, what each option costs, and what your insurance is likely to cover. Nothing happens beyond the exam and cleaning until you've agreed on the plan.
Ready to schedule?