What to expect at your first visit to Dartford Road Dental Centre

Your first visit at Dartford Road Dental Centre

When you first arrive at Dartford Road Dental Centre, you will be greeted by a member of our wonderful Reception team, this team includes Cameron, Cassie (Cassie is also a qualified Dental Nurse) and Ellie, who is also our Practice Supervisor.

They will check you in at the front desk and prepare the Clinipad for you. The Clinipad, is a tablet on which you will complete a medical history form, so that we are aware of any allergies or medical conditions you may have.

The Clinipad also displays an optional Smile questionnaire, in which you can tell us about any dental issues you are concerned about, from a cosmetic or health perspective.

Please do not worry if you aren’t great with technology, our lovely team will be able to help you to complete the forms before the start of your appointment.

Throughout your visit you will meet various member of our experienced team. For more information on who is who; please check out the team page on our website https://www.drdc.co.uk/about/our-team/

Your first check up

When it is time for your appointment, your nurse will come to the waiting area and escort you to the surgery.

Your Dental Nurse may be our Head Nurse Bev, Amirah, Anisa or Monika, all of our nurses are wonderfully supportive and will be with you throughout your appointment. They will introduce you to your Dentist who will, help make you feel at ease, as you are seated into the dental chair.

Your Dentist may be:

Dr Baber Khan, our Principal Dentist

Dr Naeem Khaleel

Dr Zainab Naseer

Dr Tosin Ogidan

The Dentist will go through your medical history form and may ask some additional questions, so that we are sure we have a full record of your medical needs, ahead of your first check up.

The Dentist will also speak about anything you have noted on the smile consultation form, to ensure that they answer any queries you have and account for any concerns you have about the appearance or health of you mouth.

Your first check up at Dartford Road Dental Centre

During your appointment

The Dentist will recline the chair, and arrange the light over your mouth. While your Dentist checks your teeth, he/she will call out some numbers to the Dental Nurse, who will be seated at the computer, ready to create a full record of your teeth, inclusive of any dental treatment you have had previously and any treatment that is needed.

Your Dentist will then check the health of your gums to ascertain their health; much like the record of your teeth; gum health is recorded on the computer, Your Dentist will relay a series of numbers, to the nurse, which indicate the health of your gums.

It may be necessary for you to see the Hygienist, to help remove plaque and tartar deposits from your teeth and to improve overall gum health.

Your soft tissues will be checked, these include your cheeks, tongue, lips; this check forms part of your Oral Cancer screening, which is included within your first and every check up appointment.

Your Dentist may take some small x-rays (radiographs) to check the areas in your mouth that cannot be seen on initial examination, this will help assess gum health and bone level while ensuring that no area of decay is missed.

Your Dentist will explain everything to you at your first check up

What if I need treatment after my check up?

If after your check up, your Dentist determines that you require treatment to improve the health of your gums, we will create a treatment plan for you, inclusive of associated costs.

Your Dentist will take photos of the areas discussed, and talk you through each one, on our patient screen so you can make an informed decision on the treatment that is right for you.

What happens next?

If you agree to go ahead with the prescribed treatment plan, your Dentist will advise of how long your next appointment needs to be; this information will be added to your record, so that our Reception team can find a suitable appointment for you, at a time that is right for you.

Your Nurse will escort you back to reception, where you will, be greeted by our friendly Receptionists. You will pay the balance of your check up and, if applicable a deposit towards your treatment, ahead of booking your next appointment.

If you are dentally fit and do not need any further appointments, you will be offered an appointment in 6 months. Check up appointments booked 6 months in advance, qualify for £10 discount!

Keeping in touch in between your check ups

Follow us on our social media channels for more information You are of course welcome to call us, in between your scheduled check up appointments, if you have any queries, concerns about your teeth or would like to speak to us about available cosmetic dentistry options; our team are always here for you whenever you need us.