A dental consultation is the initial visit that a patient makes to a dentist to explore care options. This first appointment helps the patient, as well as the doctor, to understand potential next steps after reviewing the patient's medical and dental history. The dentist will discuss patient goals, extra procedures and additional treatments. The patient can then determine his/her next steps after carefully considering all the information provided by the dentist.

To prepare for your Free dental consultation, you should assemble all of the pertinent information you will need in order to make the best use of your time. Your medical history is important to know in significant detail. Your dentist will certainly want to know of any medications you may be taking prior to your consultation, so he or she can make recommendations with this knowledge in mind. Also be sure to alert your dentist to any allergies you have, particularly with respect to medication. Be sure to write out your medical history on the documented form or to explain any additional concerns you have with your dentist prior to the consultation.

 It is also important to have some knowledge of your family's medical history; if your family has a history of high blood pressure, for example, your dentist will want to know this in order to avoid prescribing medications that could exacerbate that condition.

You should also be sure to discuss your treatment goals with your dentist at this time. It is extremely important that the dentist is aware of your priorities. After all, not every patient's goal is the same, and your dentist won't know what your goals are unless you explain them. Do you simply want to make sure your teeth are healthy and pain-free? Or are you in search of a more complex procedure, such as whitening or receiving dental implants? Consider doing some preliminary research on specific procedures, alternatives and costs before your appointment so that your questions may be more specific, and therefore more helpful to your dentist and you.

It is also important to bring your insurance information with you, if you have such coverage. Providing your dentist's office with the most accurate insurance information will help you to receive the most accurate estimated payment possible for any future procedures that the dentist may recommend. While it's not always possible for medical providers to give you an exact figure, being as prepared as possible is an important step to ensure you don't experience any unpleasant surprises when the bill comes.

Remember, your dental consultation involves no specific procedure, but simply consists of receiving a doctor's advice on the right treatment based on your health and priorities. You should expect to walk out of your dental consultation with a plan in mind to keep your teeth as healthy as possible, whether that involves simply continuing to brush & floss, or perhaps undertaking a more involved procedure that you can discuss with your dentist. It is important to feel comfortable, knowledgeable and prepared for your next steps, whatever they may be.

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