Your first visit, start to finish
About an hour, a full picture of your mouth, and a plan with real numbers attached. Here is exactly how it goes.
Five steps, no surprises
A new-patient visit at our Sunset Plaza office follows the same shape every time, so you always know where you are in it.
- 1
Before you arrive
Call us with your insurance details and we verify your coverage ahead of time, so the numbers are known before you sit down. Bring a photo ID, your insurance card and a list of any medications you take.
- 2
Health history and a conversation
We start by listening. What brought you in, what has bothered you in the past, how you feel about dental visits in general. Nothing is rushed and nothing is assumed.
- 3
Digital X-rays and a full exam
Low-radiation digital imaging where it is needed, then a comprehensive exam of your teeth, gums, bite and an oral cancer screening.
- 4
A cleaning, when it is appropriate
Most new patients have their cleaning at the same visit. If your gums need a different kind of care first, we explain why before we change the plan.
- 5
Your plan, with costs
You leave knowing exactly what we found, what we recommend, what it costs and what happens if you wait. Estimates come before treatment, never after.
What to bring
- Photo ID
- Your dental insurance card
- A list of current medications
- Any recent X-rays from a previous dentist
- Questions, however small
We check your coverage before you come in
We are in-network with most major PPO plans and file claims for you as a courtesy. Call the front desk with your plan information and we will tell you what is covered before your first appointment, not after it.
Insurance & financingTell us, and we will work around it
If dental visits make you anxious, say so when you book. We offer nitrous oxide for most patients who need it and can arrange IV sedation for longer procedures. We will also just slow down, explain every step and stop whenever you ask.
About cleanings & examsBefore you book
The things new patients ask us on the phone, answered here instead.
How long does a first dental visit take?
Plan on about an hour. That covers your health history, any digital X-rays we need, a comprehensive exam with an oral cancer screening, and a cleaning when your gums are ready for one. We schedule deliberately so nobody is rushed through.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring a photo ID, your dental insurance card and a list of any medications you take. If you have had X-rays taken elsewhere in the last year, ask that office to send them over and we may not need to repeat them.
Do you take my insurance?
We are in-network with most major PPO plans and file claims on your behalf as a courtesy. Call the front desk at (310) 855-2434 with your plan details and we verify your coverage before you come in, so there are no surprises.
I have not been to a dentist in years. Will I get a lecture?
No. Whether it has been six months or six years, you will be met where you are. We focus on what happens next, not on what was missed. Plenty of our patients came back after a long gap and stayed.
Can I be seen the same day if I am in pain?
Call us. We hold room in the schedule for urgent problems and will get you seen as quickly as we can, often the same day. If you have facial swelling, a fever or trouble breathing, go to an emergency room first and then call us.
Ready for your first visit?
Tell us a little about what you're looking for. We respond within one business day.