Your first visit to Henderson Family Dental involves a few special steps so that we can get to know you. Being well-prepared for your appointment will ensure the doctor has all the information needed to provide the best possible care for you. It also will help relieve any unnecessary anxiety you may be feeling. Also, take some time to review our staff page and familiarize yourself with the doctor and team members at HF Dental. Here, you explore patient information for current and new patients in our Dallas, TX office.
Learn about your first office visit and our facilities, and access links to forms and insurance information. We look forward to your first visit!
First Dental Appointment: Comprehensive Oral Examination
At your first dental visit, we recommend that you bring the following:
- Your ID
- Insurance Information
- Payment Method
We will require X-rays from your previous dental office. Please let us know if you have any allergies, take current medications, or have medical problems that can impact your dental health.
Your initial oral examination includes a visual inspection, charting, periodontal probing, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations. We will also take X-rays, which include the panoramic X-ray for proper diagnosis of the anterior (front) and posterior (back) teeth. We also use bite-wings and periapical radiographs for appropriate diagnosis of all teeth.
Our new patient visits are approximately ninety (90) minutes long. This will ensure our doctors have plenty of time to spend with you to answer any questions and go over their findings in detail. We will also include a 3D digital scan of your mouth that our doctors will evaluate and review as part of your visit.
What Happens at Routine Dental Visits?
At regular dental visits, we provide multiple services to maintain your dental health:
X-rays
Our X-rays help us see problems in your mouth that we cannot see with a visual exam. We use digital X-rays that emit less radiation than traditional X-rays. Our office will also place a lead apron to ensure your safety. X-ray images can show problems like cavities, bone loss, or impacted teeth that can’t be seen just by looking in your mouth.
Cleanings
Our dental hygienists will provide you with a thorough dental cleaning in our Dallas, TX, dental office. Cleanings are a big part of your dental visit. The dental hygienist will clean your teeth using special tools, including a scaler.
The scaler will remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums. Plaque is a sticky bacterial film that can harden to form tartar. You cannot remove tartar with brushing and flossing alone. Professional cleanings are one of the best ways to remove tartar, or calculus, from your mouth.
After scaling, the hygienist will perform a gritty toothpaste cleaning and floss between each tooth. We may also recommend fluoride treatment after regular dental cleanings. Fluoride varnsih helps remineralize the teeth to prevent cavities.
Screenings
We screen for common problems like gum disease and cavities. During a gum disease screening, we will look for irritated, red, and bleeding gums. We will also measure your gum pockets to determine your stage of gum disease.
When we look for cavities, we look for holes in the teeth, brown spots on the teeth, and weakened teeth. Our office can also screen for oral cancer. We will examine the lips, tongue, throat, cheeks, and gums. Our team looks for mouth sores, red or white patches, or neck lumps.
Consultation
After the cleaning, you will have a consultation with our dentist. They will review the X-rays and check the results of your screening. Our dentist will talk to you about any problems they found and suggest treatments if needed.
If you have a current dental concern, you can discuss it with our dentist. Our dentist might also give you tips on how to take care of your teeth at home with special products or methods.
Why Are Routine Visits Essential?
We recommend that you visit our dentist office every six months, or twice a year. Routine dental visits are essential for maintaining good oral health. By having regular check-ups, you can catch problems early and keep your smile healthy and bright.
Cleanings help prevent tooth and gum infections, common issues caused by poor oral hygiene. While we always recommend a good at-home oral hygiene routine, this may not be enough to remove all harmful bacteria. Our thorough cleanings will clean hard-to-reach areas of your mouth that you may find hard to clean daily.
X-rays and screenings help us find problems we can’t see with a visual exam. If we find an emerging dental problem, we can provide early preventive care so you don’t have to pay more for complex treatment.
Patient Information in Dallas, TX
Use these links on our website to access patient forms, payment and insurance information and learn about our team:
Clean Facilities and Safe Treatment
Our patients and their safety are our #1 priority at Henderson Family Dental. We practice all measures to prevent cross-contamination between our patients and exceptional infection control at all times. Our office provides digital X-rays and an eco-friendly environment.
After each patient, we:
- Run the water lines and suction tubes with special cleaning agents
- Sterilize the equipment
- Wipe down the entire operatory with antibacterial/antimicrobial wipes
- Change the barriers
Our team also wipes down the door handles throughout the office as the day progresses. We are certified through MediClean and Shield, so you can rest assured that you will receive nothing but a clean dental visit every time.
Make an Appointment Today
We know you have many choices when choosing a dentist in Dallas, TX, so we have made requesting an appointment simple. If, for any reason, you cannot keep a scheduled appointment or will be delayed, please call us as soon as possible at 214-253-4868.
Let us know if you have questions about your dental treatment or have a current dental concern. We’re here to help you improve your smile.