Your First Visit to Our Office
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When a New Patient Calls Our Office
When a new patient calls our office for an appointment, if there is adequate time, we will mail our welcome packet containing information about our practice as well as a patient registration and medical history form. Otherwise, these forms will be filled out at the time of the initial visit. By completing these forms at home before your appointment, you can easily record information about any medications you may be taking and accurately complete the information required to access any dental insurance benefits to which you are entitled.
Please assist us at the time of your initial visit to the office by bringing the following information:
- Your referral slip.
- Dental films from your family dentist, if requested.
- Any forms or insurance cards if you are covered by dental insurance.
Please Note: Please notify the office before your first appointment if you have a history of a heart murmur, mitral valve prolapse, rheumatic fever, or an artificial heart valve. Also, let us know if you have ever taken any diet pills.
All patients under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the consultation appointment.
What will happen on my first visit with Dr. Rattner?
We strongly believe that each patient must be treated as an individual. Your first visit is designed to help us understand you as an individual. Your new patient visit will last approximately one hour. We encourage all our new patients to bring a spouse, friend, relative or significant other to the initial visit. Dr. Rattner will review your medical history so that your periodontal treatment can proceed safely. Dr. Rattner will consult with your physician when appropriate. Periodontal disease affects many medical conditions. Dr. Rattner will discuss with you the implications of periodontal disease on heart disease, diabetes and pregnancy, where appropriate.
Dr. Rattner will perform a thorough head and neck examination as well as an oral cancer screening. This will be followed by a detailed periodontal and dental examination. Because the mouth is an entity unto itself, each tooth is related in some way to every other tooth. Even if you are referred for a problem on a specific tooth, Dr. Rattner must complete an examination of the entire mouth in order to arrive at a correct diagnosis and treatment plan. Dr. Rattner will explain each of the clinical parameters he measures and their significance as he proceeds. Through this process of co-discovery, you will reach a better understanding of the nature and severity of your condition.
After the clinical examination is completed, any periodontal or implant x-rays that are necessary to make a proper diagnosis will be taken. Depending on scheduling these x-rays may be taken before the clinical examination. Once the clinical diagnosis and dental images are completed, Dr. Rattner will discuss his finding and the recommended treatment. We strongly encourage patients to bring a spouse, friend, relative, or significant other with them so your condition and recommended treatment will be better remembered.
Dr. Rattner will review the conditions in your mouth and the risks of leaving the conditions untreated. He will make treatment recommendations where appropriate, and discuss the fees and time involved in treatment. We strongly believe in thoroughly educating our patients and take a "no surprises" approach to patient care.
RECONSTRUCTIVE PERIODONTICS • DENTAL IMPLANTS • BOYNTON BEACH • FLORIDA