New patients: what to expect at your first visit
Everything at Smile Club Dental is set up so your first visit is easy: you book online, sort insurance and costs in your secure patient portal before you arrive, and walk in with the paperwork already done.
How does the new-patient process work?
Getting started takes five steps: book your visit online, create access to your secure patient portal, add your insurance details, review your cost estimate, then come in for your appointment. Because insurance and costs are sorted in the portal ahead of time, your first visit is about your teeth — not paperwork.
-
Book your visit online
Pick a time that works for you — booking takes a couple of minutes and there’s no phone tag.
Book a Visit → -
Create your portal access
Set up secure access to your patient portal with your phone number. Everything about your visit lives there.
-
Add your insurance details
Enter your insurance information in the portal before your visit. No insurance? You can still book — see our insurance page for how costs work.
How insurance works at Smile Club → -
Get your estimate
See your estimated coverage and out-of-pocket cost in the portal before treatment — so there’s no guesswork at the desk.
-
Come in for your visit
With insurance and costs sorted ahead of time, your appointment is about your teeth — not paperwork.
What happens during a first dental exam?
A first exam typically covers your complete medical history, an inspection of your teeth and gums, a check of any existing dental work, screening for early signs of mouth or throat cancer, an examination of the glands and lymph nodes in your neck, and x-rays if necessary, according to the Canadian Dental Association.
- ✓ Medical history. Health conditions and medications can affect dental treatment, so the exam starts with a complete picture.
- ✓ Teeth and gums. A look for damaged, missing or decayed teeth, early signs of cavities, and signs of gum disease such as inflammation or periodontal pockets.
- ✓ Existing dental work. A check of how any previous fillings, crowns or root canal treatments are holding up.
- ✓ Oral cancer screening. A look for early warning signs such as white lesions, plus an examination of the neck’s glands and lymph nodes.
- ✓ X-rays, if necessary. The CDA notes that a healthy adult with no recent cavities or problems probably won’t need x-rays at every appointment.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Very little — your insurance details and cost estimate are handled in your secure patient portal before you arrive. It helps to bring a list of any medications you take and notes on past dental work or health conditions, since a dental exam starts with your complete medical history.
- ✓A list of medications and supplements you take
- ✓Notes on health conditions, allergies, or past dental work
- ✓Records or x-rays from a previous dentist, if you have them
- ✓Any questions you want to ask — no question is too small
Nervous about the dentist? You’re not alone.
Feeling anxious before a dental visit is completely normal, whether it’s been six months or six years since your last one. Let the team know how you’re feeling when you arrive — you can ask questions, ask for a pause, or ask for each step to be explained before it happens.
Two things tend to help. First, knowing your costs up front: your estimate is in your patient portal before treatment, so money isn’t a mid-appointment surprise. Second, remembering what an exam is for — catching small problems while they’re still small. The sooner you come in, the easier the visit usually is. You can read more about our approach on the about page.
New patient questions, answered
How often should I have a dental exam?
The Canadian Dental Association says exam frequency depends on your oral health needs — for many people that means a dental exam every six months, though your dentist may recommend more or less often. The goal is simple: catch small problems while they’re still small. (Canadian Dental Association)
Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?
Yes — Smile Club Dental welcomes patients covered by the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Add your coverage details in the patient portal the same way as any other insurance, and you’ll see your estimate before treatment. Our insurance page has more detail. Read more about insurance →
Will I know what my visit costs before treatment?
Yes. Once your insurance details are in your patient portal, you’ll see an estimate of your coverage and your out-of-pocket cost before treatment. That way the numbers are settled up front, and there are no surprise bills after your appointment.
What if I haven’t seen a dentist in years?
Come as you are — no judgment. A first exam is about understanding where your oral health stands today and catching small problems early, which the Canadian Dental Association describes as the whole point of regular exams. Booking the visit is the hardest part. (Canadian Dental Association)
Ready when you are
Book online in a couple of minutes — insurance and costs get sorted in your portal before you arrive.
Book a Visit