What to Expect at Your First Dental Appointment

Approximately 36% of Americans have a dental phobia. Living with this fear may cause them to avoid check-ups, cleanings, and treatment for years. It’s not uncommon for patients to go 10 or even 20 years without dental care, often returning only out of necessity. If it has been a long time since you received care, we want to help make the experience as comfortable as possible. Let’s review what to expect from your first dental appointment.

Preparing for Your Visit

Make sure you have your dental insurance information ready before visiting our practice. If you don’t have dental insurance, please call ahead so that we can discuss the cost of your visit. After Dr. Siegelman designs a care plan, we can further discuss costs and financing options.

Before your first dental appointment, it can be helpful to write down a list of questions you have. You can ask the dentist about their services, care approach, or any modifications they can make for you.

Please be open about any needs or preferences you have; whether you are neurodivergent, have an anxiety disorder, or have physical disabilities that affect your comfort at the dentist, we are here to support you.

During Your Appointment

Every first visit to our practice is a consultation. This means we will not be performing any dental procedures. Instead, we will get to know you, take your medical history, and request to take X-rays and a general dental exam. This exam will be done at your own pace. Please let us know your particular concerns so we can adjust our approach to make you feel as comfortable as possible.

For example, some patients do not like how certain tools look or sound, so we will modify them whenever possible to reduce their anxiety. Our care team and Dr. Siegelman value your comfort. We take things at your own pace so that you can feel supported and relaxed during your time with us.

We can even divide your consultation into two visits if you would prefer a meet-and-greet before having an exam.

Supporting Your Oral Health and Well-being

We care about you, your safety, and your oral health. Our entire team is here to listen and make treatment as comfortable as possible. We always go the extra mile to make you feel at home in our practice. From walking you through treatments step-by-step to using distractions, our team is here to reduce your fear as much as we can.

Schedule a Consultation in NYC

If you are looking for a dentist who understands dental anxiety, you have come to the right place. Dr. Siegelman is an experienced and compassionate dentist with decades of experience. His love for helping patients with dental phobia has allowed him to create a specialized practice in Midtown West for anyone who needs extra support during treatment.

You can reach our W 57 St office at 212-974-8737 or submit a contact form for additional information.