At Schaefer Advanced Dentistry, we believe in doing things right the first time — which is why your initial dental appointment with Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone is much more than a routine cleaning.
Your first visit gives us the opportunity to learn about your dental history, understand your concerns, and create a personalized plan for your long-term oral health.
What to Expect During Your First Visit
During your new patient visit, you’ll meet personally with Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone to discuss your unique dental needs, concerns, and smile goals. This one-on-one consultation helps us tailor your care to you from the very start.
Next, we perform a comprehensive dental exam that evaluates every aspect of your oral health, including:
- Your overall health history and how it may affect your dental wellness
- The stability and function of your jaw joints, or TMJs
- Your bite alignment and how your teeth come together
- The muscles of your head and neck for signs of tension or dysfunction
- The condition of your gums, bone, and supporting tooth structures
- Each tooth for signs of decay, damage, wear, or disease
- Your smile, including tooth position, shape, contour, and color
Depending on your needs and dental history, your first appointment may also include digital X-rays, photographs, or other diagnostic records. These tools help our doctors identify concerns that may not be visible during a standard examination.
Personalized Dental Care and Treatment Planning
After gathering this important information, Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone will review their findings with you thoroughly. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss your priorities, and understand any treatment recommendations.
Together, we will develop a customized dental care plan that addresses your current needs and supports a lifetime of oral health, function, and aesthetics.
Our goal is to empower you with a clear blueprint for maintaining your healthiest, most beautiful smile well into the future. Depending on your needs, your plan may include preventive dentistry, general dental care, restorative treatment, or cosmetic dentistry.
Will I Receive a Cleaning at My First Visit?
Because your first appointment includes a comprehensive examination and personalized evaluation, a cleaning may not always be completed during the same visit.
After evaluating the health of your gums and supporting tissues, our team will determine which type of cleaning is most appropriate for you. A routine cleaning may be scheduled or completed when appropriate, while patients showing signs of gum disease may require a different type of periodontal care.
Prepare for Your Visit
To make your first visit as smooth as possible, we invite you to:
- Complete your new patient forms in advance and bring them with you
- Bring a current list of medications and relevant medical information
- Bring your dental insurance information, if applicable
- Bring any recent dental X-rays or records available from your previous dentist
- Make a list of questions or concerns you would like to discuss
If you need directions to our Louisville dental office or have questions before your visit, please contact our team. We’ll be happy to help you prepare.
Our Forms
We have made our new patient forms available as Adobe Acrobat files. For your convenience, we recommend printing and completing these forms at home before your appointment.
Please remember to bring your completed forms with you for your first visit. If you have any trouble opening or printing the files, please call our office and we will gladly assist you.
Financing and Payment Options
For your convenience, we offer flexible financing options through CareCredit. Our friendly staff is also available to answer questions about payment options, insurance benefits, and the estimated cost of recommended treatment.
You can learn more by visiting our financial options page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Your First Visit
How long will my first appointment take?
Appointment times vary depending on your needs, but new patient visits are generally longer than routine appointments because they include a detailed consultation and comprehensive examination.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Please bring your completed forms, insurance information, photo identification, current medication list, and any available dental records or X-rays.
What if I feel nervous about visiting the dentist?
Please let us know. Our team provides gentle, compassionate care and will take the time to explain each step of your visit so you can feel comfortable and informed.
Welcome to Schaefer Advanced Dentistry
We look forward to welcoming you into our dental family. Contact Schaefer Advanced Dentistry today to schedule your comprehensive new patient appointment with Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone — your partners in lifelong dental health.
