When you schedule an appointment with your dentist, we are sure there are lots of thoughts running through your mind. What do I need to bring with me? How long will it take? Will it be painful?
We at Family Dentistry of Lakewood want to make sure you are prepared for your time with us. To make an appointment, call our office at 253.584.3121 and speak to our staff. They will listen to your needs attentively and determine the type of appointment you need. They will work with you to schedule the best time. The necessary paperwork will be emailed to you for completion before your visit.
Check-in
When you arrive in our parking lot for your appointment, please call 253.584.3121. We will notify you when you can enter the building. We have established Covid procedures for your safety.
They are as follows:
A limited number of people are allowed in lobby at any time
You must wear a mask when in our office (WA state regulation)
We will take your temperature upon your arrival
You will be asked to complete a COVID questionnaire
Once the check-in process is complete, we will do our best to get you to your exam room quickly, our staff take extra precautions to make sure you are seen in a safe and comfortable environment.
First time visit and cleaning (visit lasts around 1.5-2 hours)
There are two parts to your first visit:
Comprehensive exam with the doctor
Your hygiene appointment with the registered dental hygienist
During your comprehensive exam we will do the following:
Listen to your dental concerns so we can address them during your appointment
Get to know you
Full set of x-rays
Medical and dental history review
Intraoral photos
Soft tissue exam to include your gums, palate, etc.
Check head, neck, lips, and scalp (looking for any abnormalities)
Oral cancer screening
TMJ exam (temporomandibular joint)
Record all existing fillings, crowns, root canals, bridges or implants
Determine your bite/teeth alignment
Full periodontal exam to check the health of your gums
Discuss and educate you on your dental needs and answer any questions
During your hygiene appointment (teeth cleaning) your hygienist will:
Remove plaque, brush and floss your teeth
Use a high-powered electric brush and a gritty toothpaste that scrubs your teeth leaving them smooth and clean
Use her gentle piezo scaler to remove all the stubborn plaque and calculus that has built up on your teeth over the last few months
Hand scale any areas requiring more attention and discuss any concerns and next steps
Emergency Appointments (visit lasts around 30 minutes)
If you have a dental emergency, you can call our office at 253.584.3121 to discuss the issue. We do our best to get you into our office the same day to address your problem. When you come to our office you will be seen by an assistant, they will take oral photos, x-rays, and vitals. We have the technology to put your photos on the computer screen and give you a breakdown of what is happening with your teeth and how we can help. Our goal for this appointment is to make sure we help solve your dental emergency. If we can’t completely solve your issue in one visit, we will schedule your next visit to continue your treatment. We will discuss the best way to cover the cost as well as the best insurance policy for your needs.
We do our best to get you into our office the same day to address your problem.
Check-out
After your appointment is complete the hygienist will walk you to the front desk for check-out. They will notify the staff of the procedure that was done so they can properly bill your payment method. If a follow-up visit is needed it will be scheduled at this time. We strive for a smooth transition throughout the process, and we keep you informed along the way.
Hopefully you feel more confident about what to expect when you visit Family Dentistry of Lakewood. We would love to meet your dental needs, so call our office today, 253.584.3121.