How do I become a patient?
There are three ways to become a new patient:
- Your dentist, hygienist or family doctor can refer you.
- You can refer yourself. Many people think that a busy practice does not accept new patients or that you must be referred to our office by another dentist or doctor. This is not the case. We are always accepting new patients.
- We welcome referrals from patients and friends of the practice. We are thrilled to see family or friends of yours if you feel they may have oral health problems similar to yours.
What is going to happen at my first appointment?
When you first arrive, you will be asked to complete our new patient paperwork which includes a medical history, insurance information (if applicable) and our privacy policy. Your first appointment will be a consultation and take between 45 minutes to an hour.
Dr. Fritz will perform a comprehensive examination to determine the nature and extent of your condition. He will then discuss treatment options with you and plan the best course of therapy for you.
Dr. Fritz will thoroughly answer any questions you may have. Our mission is to treat you as if you are our only patient. We want you to have a complete understanding of your condition and the treatment needed to restore you to optimum oral health.
You should experience little, if any, discomfort during this examination.
What do I need to bring with me to my first appointment?
Please assist us at the time of your initial visit to the office by providing the following information:
- Recent radiographs (x-rays) from your referring dentist (or have your dentist forward them to us prior to your appointment). If necessary, radiographs will be taken to further evaluate any loss of bone around your teeth.
- A list of all medications you are currently taking.
- Any dental insurance information you may have.
- If you have antibiotic premedication that you normally take before cleanings, you do not need to take them before your first appointment.
- Your referral slip (if you have one).
Appointment co-operation
We do our best to schedule your consultation and treatment appointments as conveniently as possible. We also try very hard to be on time to see you. The nature of periodontal appointments is such that, when we reserve a time for you, it is not possible to schedule other patients at the same time. If you do not keep the appointment, reserved exclusively for you, that time is not used. Any change affects not only the clinic schedule but also many patients as well. Therefore, if your appointment must be changed, please advise our office a minimum of 48 HOURS in advance in order to avoid a cancellation fee. In the event of an emergency, please give us the maximum notice possible; this is necessary for our clinic to function efficiently for your benefit.
Correspondence
With your permission, we will send a report to your family dentist following your visit. At your request, we can also provide you with a copy of the correspondence.
Patient education
We believe very strongly that you should be completely informed concerning your condition and all treatment options. In addition to patient education brochures, we also have pictorial descriptions of most periodontal procedures.
How do I get to your office?
Click here to download a map (PDF 534 Kb) for directions to the practice or view a standard webpage with directions.
What is the parking situation?
There is ample free parking directly in front of our office. The office is completely wheelchair accessible. |
