Your First Visit – What to Expect

Visiting an oral surgeon for the first time may make you anxious. You’re seeing a new doctor, you aren’t sure what to expect, and you may be in pain. Whether you have chosen us or been referred to our office, the first visit to our office is focused on making you comfortable while learning as much as possible about your overall health and specific oral surgery needs.

The Consultation

All patients go through an initial consultation where we explain their diagnosis and explore appropriate treatment options. Occasionally, we perform relatively straightforward procedures on the same day, but more complex treatments or ones with IV sedation will be scheduled for another visit. In most situations, your first visit will focus on learning about you. Discussing any medications or health conditions such as anti-coagulants, cancer, or bleeding disorders is important as your medications or health conditions could impact your surgical outcome and recovery.  Dr. Valiente will examine your mouth, and we would likely take images via x-ray or 3D imaging technology in order to better visualize the surgical site and prepare for the specific procedure that will be performed. We will discuss your treatment options, and work together on a treatment plan.

If you are interested in IV sedation or general anesthesia for surgery, your surgery will be scheduled for another day after we have performed an exam and clearly explained to you the required preparation, which involves fasting in advance and having an adult companion to escort you home from the appointment.

What You Need to Bring to Your First Appointment

Your consultation will go smoothly if you have all the paperwork needed to review your medical history and evaluate your oral health fully. For your first visit, please be sure to bring:

• Your referral paperwork, if applicable
• Any recent X-rays
• A list of all medications you are taking
• Any allergies or sensitivities
• All dental and medical insurance information and cards
• State-issued ID card (driver’s license, military ID, etc.)
• If the patient is under 18, a parent or guardian must accompany them. If you are a legal guardian, please provide your guardianship documents.

You are putting your care into our capable hands, but we may not anticipate every one of your questions. If you are unclear on something we explained or have questions we haven’t addressed, your initial consultation is the time to ask.

Financials

Our front office staff is available at your first appointment to review all costs with you and help you navigate your dental insurance coverage. While payment is required at the time of surgery, we work with our patients through CareCredit to find no or low-interest credit for procedures.

If you have questions about your first visit, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our staff will let you know what you need to bring and what to expect. Don’t stress about your consultation – we remove the mystery and will quickly put you at ease in our comfortable surroundings.

To schedule your first visit, call our office at 813-968-5400 or use the links below. We look forward to seeing you soon.