Your first visit is all about getting to know you and your dental health. Here's a breakdown:

• Comprehensive Exam: Baer will thoroughly examine your teeth, gums, and overall oral health. This includes screening for oral cancer, gum disease and tooth decay.
• Digital X-rays: We'll take a full set of digital X-rays. These are important because they let us see the health of your teeth and the supporting bone underneath your gums. Don't worry—digital X-rays use very low radiation, and the images are much clearer than old-fashioned X-rays.
• Gum Health Check: We'll assess the health of your gums to determine the best type of cleaning for you.
• Identifying any Issues: We'll look for any cavities, worn-out fillings, or other dental problems.
• Personalized Plan: We'll discuss our findings with you and work together to create a plan to achieve and maintain your optimal dental health.

Plan for about an hour for your initial examination with Dr. Baer. This includes time for X-rays, taking photos, measuring your gum health, and, most importantly, discussing your oral health and any concerns with Dr. Baer and the team.

To make your first visit smooth and efficient, please:

• Complete Forms: Fill out our medical and dental history forms at least 48 hours prior to your appointment. This allows our team to review your information, verify your dental insurance (if you have it), and prepare for your visit. You can find the link for these on our website's home page.
• Request Previous X-rays: If you've had dental X-rays taken within the last 12 months, please request them from your previous dentist and have them sent to us. This helps us track any changes.

• Recent X-rays: As mentioned above, X-rays of diagnostic quality from the past 12 months can sometimes be very helpful.
• Antibiotic Premedication Letter: If your medical doctor requires you to take antibiotics before certain dental procedures (often due to specific surgeries), please bring a copy of that letter from your physician.

Yes, for new patient exams, a full set of X-rays and a comprehensive exam are required. This allows us to get a complete picture of your oral health.

Emergency Visits: If you have a dental emergency, we'll focus on addressing the immediate problem first. We may then recommend a full exam and X-rays depending on the situation.

Your treatment plan is a collaboration! We consider:

• Your Goals: What are you hoping to achieve with your dental health?
• Your History: Your past dental experiences and any risk factors.
• Our Findings: The results of your exam and X-rays.

We'll discuss all the options, which might include ways to make treatment more predictable or to spread out costs over time. We want to find a plan that works best for you.

We understand! Many people feel anxious about visiting the dentist. We're here to help:

• We Listen: We'll take the time to get to know you and understand your concerns.
• Your Choice: Some patients like detailed explanations; others prefer we just get the work done. We'll adapt to your preference.
• Medication Options: We can discuss medication options to help you relax, including sedation dentistry performed by a specialized team.

We believe in clear communication:

• Visual Aids: We'll use pictures, X-rays, and examples to explain our findings.
• Open Discussion: We'll discuss our recommendations, any alternative treatments, and the costs involved.
• Your Budget: We'll work with you to find a plan that fits your budget and situation.

Absolutely! We offer consultations for patients seeking specific treatments. This allows dedicated time to discuss your concerns. For our existing patients, Dr. Baer is always happy to schedule time to answer questions before starting treatment. We want you to feel completely comfortable with your decisions and treatment plan. For complex treatment plans, few find it useful to have a separate visit where we will review the appointments, steps, and overall timeline and costs.

After your initial appointment:

• Cleaning Recommendations: We'll recommend a cleaning schedule based on your gum health and gum disease risk.
• Treatment Planning: We'll schedule any necessary treatments.
• Customized Care: Your care is personalized to your individual needs. We book appointments in advance because our schedule fills up quickly.