Lake Forest, Lake Bluff IL
Dental offices across the country are dealing with jam-packed schedules as people have long-delayed check-ups and look to get their oral health back on track as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes. Are you one of them? Maybe you’ve let your dental check-ups lapse. Perhaps you’re looking for a new dentist. And, with all of this going on, you might feel nervous, anxious, or even fearful about the mere prospect of a dental visit. If you’re joining our family at Lake Forest Smiles, we’re excited to welcome you. With that said, here are some tips to help you prepare for your first trip to our dentist’s office in Lake Forest.
Scheduling Your Appointment
Just like every dental office out there, we are extremely busy these days. We also are enthusiastic about providing the oral care you need. When you call our office or contact us online, you’ll interact with an attentive member of our staff, who will ask about your availability and needs, then make every effort to make the appointment convenient with your schedule.
Tips for Appointment Day
- Arrive early – Don’t be surprised if we ask you to arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment time. This allows us to collect your personal information, as well as make a copy of your insurance card if you have dental insurance. We also ask that you call us at (847) 234-4800 upon arriving. A member of our staff will come to greet you, ask a few screening questions related to COVID-19, and take your temperature.
- Share your story – When you come into our lobby, we’re going to hand you several forms detailing your oral history and your medical history, including current and past conditions, as well as any medications you are taking, existing allergies, and surgeries you might have had in the past. Knowledge is power; the more we know about you and your history, the better that we can serve you and meet your specific needs. Once you’re called into a room, our dental hygienist also may have some questions about your oral health care regimen.
- Hold still! – Before your cleaning begins, we probably will take some X-rays of your teeth and mouth, which the dentist will examine to identify any potential issues that are not visible by a visual examination. We prefer to take X-rays of each patient at least once a year, as these images help provide an ongoing record of your dental health and any changes, such as cavities, tooth loss, or jawbone loss that could indicate dental diseases. At Lake Forest Smiles, we use the state-of-the-art Dexis Digital X-ray system.
What to Expect in the Dental Chair
After the X-rays, our hygienist will begin your professional dental cleaning. This process removes all the plaque and tartar from your teeth, the spaces between your teeth, and the area below your gum line. Your teeth will be polished with specially designed toothpaste that removes surface stains. Lastly, your hygienist will floss your teeth.
Once the cleaning is complete, you will meet your new dentist. Lake Forest Smiles has three dentists on staff: Dr. Campbell, Dr. Schmidt, and Dr. Steingreaber. Your dentist will look over your health history, as well as your X-rays, and then examine your teeth and mouth. This examination will include checking for signs of oral cancer. Based on your history, your X-rays, and your examination, your dentist will then make recommendations for treatments you might consider to improve your oral health or address any aesthetic concerns you might have about your smile.
Concluding Your Visit
After you have met with one of our dentists, you will be given the opportunity to schedule your next cleaning, along with any other procedures that are needed or recommended. Remember, the American Dental Association advises a check-up once every six months, in combination with daily brushing and flossing at home. We also will collect any payment owed at this time. For more information, check our financial policies.
Dental Cleanings in Lake Forest
At Lake Forest Smiles, we’re committed to providing the highest caliber of compassionate oral care to each of our patients. No matter your situation—whether you’ve kept up your schedule of dental visits, you’re looking to get back on track, or you’re seeing a dentist for the first time in years—we are here to help. Ready to take the next step? Schedule your appointment today online or by calling (847) 234-4800.
Lake Forest Smiles is here to serve our patients living in the areas of Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Lincolnshire in Illinois.
