Welcome. Here's how to start.
Call or text and we'll talk it through. Where you start depends on whether something hurts right now.
Something hurts
We'll get you in quickly. We reserve time every day for people in pain, and we solve the problem in front of us first; the full exam can come later. Dental emergencies
You're ready for a new patient exam
A full comprehensive exam: x-rays, photographs, and a real conversation about your oral health and what we found. These book further out, because we set aside the time to do them properly.
Send your forms early
Fill out your forms online before you come. It takes about ten minutes and saves you doing it in the waiting room. Everything you send goes straight into your chart, so the doctor has it before you sit down.
That time is what lets us request records from your previous office, check your insurance so we can talk about cost honestly, and read your health history before we meet.
Rather use paper? Stop by for a copy, ideally before the day of your appointment.
Your records
Coming from another dentist? Just give us the name of your previous dentist and we'll request everything, including x-rays. You don't need to call them yourself. Records usually take a couple of business days to arrive, so let us know as early as you can before your visit. We won't contact your current dentist until you tell us to.
Moving your records elsewhere? Email Office@AnacortesDentist.com and we'll release them. It takes a little time, and we can usually get it done within a couple of business days. Please ask before your appointment with your new dentist, not on the day.
Your first visit
A new patient visit is about 70 minutes. We'll take x-rays and photos, your doctor will do a full exam, including an oral cancer screening and a check of your gums, and we'll go through what we find with you before anyone recommends anything.
A cleaning visit runs about an hour, and it's usually its own appointment. The right cleaning depends on what the exam shows: if there's active gum disease, a regular cleaning isn't the right treatment, and we'll explain why.
What to bring
Your ID, your insurance card if you haven't already sent it, and a list of your medications. That's it.
No insurance? Ask about the Sound Dental Plan. Your new patient visit is the best time to join.
Health questions before you come in
Antibiotics before dental visits
Most people don't need them anymore. If you have a joint replacement that's healing normally, current ADA guidance is that premedication generally isn't recommended, and if your orthopaedic surgeon does want it, they should be the one to prescribe it. A small number of specific heart conditions do still call for premedication. Tell us your history and we'll sort it out with you and your physician before your visit, rather than at the front desk.
Feeling sick
If you have a fever, feel actively unwell, or have a cold sore that's blistering, call us and we'll move you. You won't be penalized for it. A mild sniffle is usually fine.
Pregnancy
Tell us. Routine dental care is safe and important during pregnancy, and we'll adjust what we take and when.
Changing or missing an appointment
Life happens. Call or text (360) 293-8421 and we'll move it. We text you a reminder 48 hours before your appointment, and we ask for at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or move it, so we can offer the time to someone who's waiting. If something urgent comes up inside 24 hours, please call.
If appointments are missed more than twice without notice, we may ask you to book short-notice openings instead of reserved times.
Running late
Call or text us as soon as you know. The sooner we hear from you, the more we can do: often we can adjust the appointment or how we're using our rooms that day to fit you in. If we don't hear from you, we may not be able to.
Want in sooner?
Often, yes. People's schedules change, and when they do, times open up. Tell us your schedule and when you're available, and we can often get you in much sooner than your booked date. For treatment you need, this is sometimes the fastest way in.