We love welcoming new patients at Penrith Dental Care, and we want your first visit to feel comfortable, thorough, and reassuring. Here’s a clear overview of what to expect when you come in for the first time — so there are clear information.
Before Your Appointment
When you call to book, our team will ask a few questions about what brings you in and any dental concerns you have. This helps us allocate the right amount of time for your first appointment. We’ll also ask you to arrive a few minutes early to complete a health history form, which covers your medical history, current medications, allergies, and dental history.
If you have dental X-rays from a previous dentist, we’d love to see them — they provide valuable baseline information and may mean we can avoid re-taking some images at this first visit. You can request them from your previous practice.
Your Medical and Dental History
We take your health history seriously. Many medical conditions and medications affect oral health — blood thinners, certain blood pressure medications, antidepressants, diabetes, and osteoporosis treatment all have implications for dental care. The more we know about your overall health, the better we can tailor your treatment plan and avoid any complications.
The Comprehensive Examination
At your first appointment, we perform a thorough examination that covers: every tooth (checking for decay, cracks, wear, and the condition of any existing restorations); your gums (measuring pocket depths at multiple points around each tooth); your bite and jaw joint (TMJ assessment); your soft tissues (oral cancer screening of tongue, cheeks, gum tissue, and throat); and your facial structure.
We take digital X-rays where clinically indicated — typically a full series of bitewing X-rays at an initial visit if you don’t have recent images. These allow us to detect decay between teeth, assess bone levels, and evaluate root anatomy — none of which is visible without X-rays.
The Professional Scale and Clean
Most first appointments include a professional scale and clean, removing plaque, tartar, and surface staining from all tooth surfaces. We’ll also polish your teeth and provide personalised oral hygiene guidance — including a assessments of your brushing technique and any recommendations for your home care routine.
Discussion and Treatment Planning
Before you leave, we’ll sit down and discuss everything we found. We explain our findings clearly in language that makes sense, discuss all available treatment options and their relative merits, provide honest recommendations, and give you a written treatment plan with itemised costs. There is never any pressure to proceed with treatment on the day — we give you time to consider your options.
What to Bring
- Your health fund card (we have HICAPS for on-the-spot claiming)
- A list of your current medications
- Any recent dental X-rays if available
- Notes about any dental concerns or symptoms
Book Your First Appointment at Penrith Dental Care
We’d love to welcome you to our practice. Book your first appointment today by calling (02) 4733 1197 or booking online. For general dental health information, visit the Australian Dental Association or Healthdirect Australia.