First Visit
If you’re new to our practice, we want you to feel welcome and at home right away. Our team strives to make every visit the best possible for you. We recognize that sometimes it’s been a while since your last visit to a dentist. Don’t be ashamed, it happens. Life gets busy, time slips away and now you need a dentist.
From the very first contact, we hope you’ll find our practice a step up. After all, you are the most important person to us when you choose us to be your dental practice and family. And yes, we consider you family.
What if my First Visit is an Emergency?
If your first visit with us happens to be an emergency, we will do everything possible to alleviate your pain. Once your emergency situation has passed, we invite you to begin a long-term relationship with us so you can prevent further emergency visits. No one likes being in pain and we know it can be avoided with regular dental care.
Dr. Hurm is willing to see someone in crisis up to two times but by the third crisis appointment, you will need to make a decision to address the problem, take care of it, and then begin regular dental visits to prevent future problems.
Your emergency visit will include a discussion time with a team member and/or with Dr. Hurm. An x-ray will most likely be taken. Dr. Hurm will examine you, make a diagnosis, and then prescribe the appropriate treatment and/or medication to alleviate your issue. This appointment will not take care of the cause of the issue. You will need to be committed to return to the office for further treatment if you are looking to completely resolve the issue.
What Happens on this First Visit?
You will be scheduled for time with one of our excellent hygienists. Expect to have completed any necessary x-rays along with a thorough examination of your gums and teeth. The outcome of the exam will determine if a routine dental cleaning or some other type of therapy is appropriate for you. Either way, you may have the cleaning or begin therapy on this first visit. In addition, the hygienist will take some photographs of your teeth and gums.
Following your time with the hygienist, Dr. Hurm will see you and go over all the exam findings while doing his own examination of your teeth and gums. He will talk to you about the findings that day unless they are extensive or would require multiple visits to correct. In the case that the exam reveals issues that would require more time to discuss, you will be scheduled to return to the office where you will have a sit down one on one time with Dr. Hurm to go over all the findings and answer any questions you may have. We are committed to make sure you have all of the information you need to make the best decision for your own oral health. We realize these can be big decisions. We’ll do everything we can to assist you in making sure you receive the best outcome possible.
How long can I expect to be at the office on my First Visit?
Please plan to be at our office a minimum of 1 hour and 30 minutes. This time will be spent with one of our hygienists and also with Dr. Hurm. If more time with Dr. Hurm is needed, you will be scheduled at a later date to have one on one time with the doctor.
What will the fees be for my First Visit?
We are committed to being transparent about our fees. If you have concerns about the total fee for any visit at our office, please feel free to call and inquire. If you have insurance benefits, we will work with you to determine an approximate amount for your responsibility but please realize these are only estimates.
Will you accept my Dental Insurance benefits?
Yes, we accept most plans as a preferred provider. We accept all other plans as an out of network provider. Please call our office to confirm this ahead of time if you have concerns.
I’m nervous about my First Visit. What should I do?
Please call us. We will answer any of your questions. You are welcome to come by for a tour of our office. Please call to make sure we are in the office and it is a convenient time for a tour.
Will I get my teeth cleaned on my First Visit?
If after your exam, your needs require a routine professional dental cleaning, then yes, you can expect to receive that treatment. However, if your exam reveals a disease state beyond what a routine service could help, your treatment plan will be more extensive. It might be possible to begin this more extensive therapy on your first visit if deemed appropriate for you.
New Patient Forms
To provide you with the most efficient new patient experience, please download and complete the forms below and bring them to your first appointment. Our team will take comprehensive records and address any concerns or questions you may have. If you have any problems downloading the forms, please contact our office and we will gladly send them to you.