New Patients
Start here.
First appointment
Your first visit as a new patient to Downtown Sleep Dentistry and Oral Surgery will either be for a consultation or for a simple procedure. Our doctors and experienced staff members will help you clearly understand the details of your procedure and what to expect upon returning home.
When having an initial consultation separately from your scheduled treatment, it allows our highly-trained and experienced dental professionals the opportunity to assess your general health, the complexity of your specific case and review other treatment options.
It also gives you an opportunity to get comfortable with our Hamilton dental office, choose between and prepare for treatment options as well as sedation levels. This consultation helps decrease anxiety in many of our concerned new patients.
At this initial appointment, patients know that it is a getting to know you visit, that no treatment will be performed and they can have all their questions answered.
It is our goal for our patients and parents to leave the consultation appointment more relaxed and at ease compared to how they felt when they first arrived.
Are you a new patient to Downtown Sleep Dentistry and Oral Surgery?
To prepare for your first visit we ask you to:
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Bring your referral slip
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Bring a list of current medications
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Important: All patients under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the consultation visit and subsequent treatment appointments.
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Bring identification such as your OHIP number which will allow us to prescribe pain medication (you will need the same ID to pick up your prescription from the pharmacy)
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Bring any imaging (radiographs) that may be helpful (radiographs can be taken at our office if none are available)
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Bring your dental insurance card (or cards if you have dual coverage)
- If covered by Healthy Smiles Ontario, you must bring in your current paperwork; you will not be seen without it.
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Please arrive 10 minutes early to complete your paperwork and to have any imaging taken.
Tips for first-time visitors with dental anxiety
Dental anxiety can be a challenging condition to deal with, but there are ways to help make dental visits less stressful.
Communicate with Us: Let us know about your dental anxiety. We can offer specific techniques or accommodations to help you feel more comfortable during your visit.
Bring a Support Person: Consider bringing a friend or family member with you to your appointment for moral support.
Use Relaxation Techniques: Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or visualization exercises, to help reduce anxiety before and during your appointment.
Listen to Music: Bring your own music and headphones to listen to during your appointment. This can help distract you and make the experience more enjoyable.
Bring a Stress Ball: Squeezing a stress ball or fidget toy can help distract you and provide a sense of control during the appointment.
Use Dental Desensitization: Gradual exposure to dental environments and procedures, with the guidance of a therapist, can help reduce anxiety over time.
Consider Sedation Dentistry: For severe dental anxiety, sedation dentistry may be an option. This involves the use of medication to help you relax during your procedure.
Reward Yourself: Plan to reward yourself after your dental appointment as a way to help associate the experience with positive outcomes.
By following these tips, you can help make dental visits less stressful and more manageable, even if you have dental anxiety.
Call: 905.528.8959
Working Hours
Monday – Friday from
8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Consultation
We are here to answer any and all questions you may have regarding your sedation dentistry appointment.
