Information for Patients
Your First Visit
What to expect on your first visit
As a new patient, your first visit to our office is designed to get you better acquainted with all we offer as well as introduce you to Dr. Fecica and Dr. Proud and our caring team.
Your first appointment at our office is called a New Patient Exam (NPE). It is our office philosophy at Westwoods Dental that prior to any treatment a comprehensive NPE be completed. In doing so, we can provide you and your family with a complete oral assessment for the betterment of your total oral health. The NPE is a very complete and comprehensive oral examination that includes an odontogram (tooth charting), periodontal (gum) probing/measuring, soft tissue exam, oral cancer screening, extraoral examination including lymph node palpation and occlusal (how teeth work together) analysis. Your unique treatment plan for your oral health will be presented and discussed with opportunity to ask questions.
Please acknowledge that after we may not be able to complete your cleaning depending on the length of the appointment, and a second appointment may be necessary.
Please arrive for your first appointment at our office a few minutes early. This gives enough time to fill out your Patient Registration form (if not completed online), as well as provided time for a tour of the office. Thank you for your confidence in our office, we look forward to assisting you with all your dental needs.
IMPORTANT: A parent or guardian must accompany all patients under 18 years of age to their appointment.
Emergency or Specific Treatment
Given our patients’ busy schedules, we make every effort to carry out your emergency or specific treatment the same day as your consultation. A complex medical history and/or treatment plan may require an evaluation and a second appointment to provide treatment on another day.
How to save time at your first visit
Prior to your first visit, we encourage patients to fill out their Patient Registration form online. Given that your privacy is of outmost importance, this data is encrypted and transmitted to our secure server. Doing so will save you time in our office filling out paperwork. Online registration can be completed on this website by selecting the Patient Registrationtab under the Patient Information menu. Alternatively, a paper version can be downloaded and filled out at home and brought to your first visit.
Please assist us by providing the following information at your initial appointment:
- Any radiographs (X-Rays) from a previous dental office
- A list of medications you are presently taking
- If you have dental insurance, bring your policy information. This will save you time and allow us to help you process any claims
- The dates of your most recent NPE and cleaning
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 additional films are necessary, then we will take these at our office.
Pre-existing Health Conditions
Please alert the office if you have a medical condition that may be of concern prior to surgery (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 antibiotics prior to dental cleanings.