First Visit
During your first visit to Smile Zone, you and your child will become familiar with our office and staff. We will make a great effort to ensure that your child feels comfortable in this new environment. Our doctors request that parents accompany their children into the examination bay during this initial visit. This introduces parents to our treatment environment, allows the doctor to discuss their dental findings, and provides parents with a general idea of our office's philosophy. Depending upon your child's response during this initial visit, your child's doctor will provide recommendations for following appointments. If you are asked to accompany your child into the treatment area during subsequent visits, we suggest that you act as a "silent & supportive" observer only. It is very important for us to establish cooperation and trust directly with each patient. In turn, this will help your child establish a long lasting relationship with their doctor, which should precipitate a positive outlook on dentistry.
Once your child's doctor has established his findings, he will review them with the accompanying parent or legal guardian. Our doctors take an active role in deciding which treatment options are best for each individual child and will rely on your input. After these options have been thoroughly explored, you will receive a detailed treatment plan, which includes all treatment recommendations, costs and any insurance information. A Treatment-Financial Coordinator will then review this information and will explain how your specific insurance benefits work. Lastly, all payment options will be explored, an appointment will be scheduled and any final treatment questions will be answered.
We ask all our parents to feel free to contact our office at (405) 692-1222 during normal business hours to ask any questions regarding types of treatment, future appointments or general dental questions. Your child's doctor or an educated staff member will always be happy to answer any of your questions!
Each parent will also be given access to our 24-hour emergency phone number, where you will have immediate access to a pediatric specialist every day of the year.
Preparing for Your First Visit
Good dental care is an important part of your child's overall health. Here are some tips to help prepare your child for their first visit:
- Expect your child to have a pleasant experience.
- It is best if you can refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear and anxiety, such as “needle, pull, drill or hurt.” Our office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
- Usually during this first visit we:
- Examine the erupted teeth for cavities, the gums for infection, and the other mouth tissues for abnormalities ("count the teeth").
- Evaluate occlusion (the way teeth come together) and the jaw joint.
- Check for sufficient room for the permanent teeth.
- Determine the effects of childhood habits (e.g. thumb sucking, pacifiers, bottles, etc.)
- May take selected x-rays ("pictures") of the mouth to locate decay, infections in the bone, and position and location of unerupted teeth. To assure that every precaution is taken for the safety of your child during x-ray procedures, we use a digital x-ray system, which supplies up to 90% less radiation than conventional x-rays.
- Will review preventive measures, such as proper tooth brushing, flossing, fluoride, and diet.
- Will clean ("brush") your child’s teeth and apply a topical fluoride treatment, if your child is cooperative.
- If your child is suffering from dental pain (toothache, etc.) emergency treatment will be given.
Please print out and complete the "New Patient Paperwork" listed below and bring it with you . This will save time and make your visit go more smoothly.
New Patient Paperwork
Consent and Release Form (98 KB)
HIPPA Privacy Practices Form (98 KB)
Smile Zone Financial Policy Form (1544 KB)