Appointment Checklist
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All Set for Your Appointment!
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Documents & Cards to Bring
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Insurance card (front and back)
Check that your coverage is active and the card is current. Use our Insurance Calculator to understand your benefits.
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Photo ID (driver's licence, passport)
Required for new patients and insurance verification.
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Completed patient intake form
Save time - complete our Patient Intake Form online in advance and bring the printed PDF.
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Previous dental X-rays (if changing dentist)
Contact your previous dentist 1–2 weeks in advance to request your records or X-rays.
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Referral letter (if referred by doctor or dentist)
Bring any referral correspondence from your physician or general dentist.
Medications & Medical Information
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List of all current prescription medications with doses
Include medication name, dose, and how often you take it. Blood thinners, bisphosphonates, and immunosuppressants are especially important.
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List of vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies
Fish oil, garlic, ginkgo, and vitamin E can increase bleeding. Always disclose these.
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Known drug allergies and reaction type
Especially penicillin, aspirin, NSAIDs, codeine, and local anaesthetics (novocaine/lidocaine).
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Recent medical diagnoses or changes in health
New diagnoses of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, or pregnancy since your last dental visit.
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Blood pressure reading (if hypertensive)
Your dentist may check blood pressure before treatment. Very high readings may delay certain procedures. Use our Blood Pressure Dental Risk Checker.
Before You Leave Home
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Brush and floss your teeth before the appointment
Use our 2-minute Brushing Timer for a thorough clean before your visit.
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Confirm your appointment (24–48 hours before)
Call the practice or confirm online. Check the address and parking options.
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Arrange transport if sedation or general anaesthesia planned
You must not drive after IV sedation or general anaesthesia. Arrange a driver in advance.
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Follow fasting instructions (if sedation planned)
For IV sedation: typically no food or drink (except small sips of water) for 6 hours before. Confirm with your dental practice.
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Dress comfortably and avoid heavy perfume/cologne
Strong fragrances can trigger nausea when lying back. Wear clothes you can relax in.
Questions to Ask Your Dentist
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What treatment do I need and why?
Ask for a clear explanation of the diagnosis and the recommended treatment plan.
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What are my treatment options?
Are there alternative approaches? What are the pros and cons of each option?
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How much will this cost with and without insurance?
Ask for a written treatment estimate. Use our Treatment Cost Estimator to check before your visit.
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How urgent is this treatment?
Is this an emergency requiring same-day treatment, or can it wait weeks or months?
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What happens if I delay or don't treat this?
Understanding the consequences of delaying helps you make an informed decision.
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How can I prevent this from happening again?
Ask about brushing technique, flossing, diet changes, or fluoride use. Reference our Fluoride Dosage Calculator.
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What should I do if I have pain or problems after the appointment?
Get the after-hours emergency contact number and clear instructions for managing post-treatment discomfort.
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When should I come back for my next check-up?
Ask about your recall interval - high-risk patients may need 3-monthly check-ups; low-risk patients may be fine every 12 months.
After Your Appointment
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Set up your medication schedule if prescribed
Use our Medication Dosage Reminder to schedule antibiotics or pain relief correctly.
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Follow post-treatment care instructions
After extractions, fillings, crowns, or root canals - follow the dentist's specific aftercare instructions to aid healing.
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Track any pain or unusual symptoms
Use our Pain Level Tracker to log any post-treatment discomfort to share with your dentist if needed.
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Book your next appointment before leaving
Schedule your follow-up or next check-up at the practice while you're there - it's easier than calling later.
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Review your treatment cost summary
Compare what you were charged against your insurance explanation of benefits. Use our Copay Calculator to verify.
My Custom Notes
Add your own reminders for this appointment
How to Prepare for a Dental Appointment
Preparation is the single most effective way to get the most out of your dental visit. Patients who arrive with their documents organised, their medical history complete, and their questions written down have more productive appointments, experience less anxiety, and are less likely to forget important information.
Before your visit, complete our Patient Intake Form online to fill in your full medical history, medications, and dental concerns. If you're experiencing any dental symptoms, run them through our Dental Symptom Checker to understand the likely cause and urgency before speaking with your dentist. To understand what your treatment might cost, use our Treatment Cost Estimator - it gives you an insurance-adjusted estimate before any treatment is agreed.
What to Bring to a Dental Appointment
The minimum you should always bring:
- Insurance card - both front and back; confirm your coverage is active
- Photo ID - required for new patient registration and insurance processing
- Complete medication list - prescription drugs, OTC medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements with exact doses
- Known allergies - especially to antibiotics, local anaesthetics, aspirin, NSAIDs, and latex
- List of questions - written questions are far more effective than trying to remember them in the chair
The 8 Most Important Questions to Ask Your Dentist
Research consistently shows that patients who prepare written questions before medical appointments receive more complete information and make better-informed decisions. The checklist above includes our curated list of the most important questions to ask. Key areas to cover include understanding your diagnosis, knowing all available treatment options, getting a written cost estimate with and without insurance, understanding urgency, and knowing post-treatment care instructions.
If you're anxious about the cost of recommended treatment, our Treatment Cost Estimator lets you calculate your likely out-of-pocket costs for any procedure before you commit. If cost is a concern, also ask your dentist about phased treatment plans that spread costs across multiple insurance plan years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Always bring: your insurance card, photo ID, a full list of current medications and doses, any known drug or material allergies, a completed patient intake form, previous X-rays if changing dentists, and a written list of questions. For new patients, arrive 10–15 minutes early. Use this checklist to tick everything off before you leave home.
Yes - always brush and floss before a dental appointment. It's more comfortable for your dentist and hygienist, and helps your dentist accurately assess your baseline oral hygiene. Use our 2-minute Brushing Timer for a thorough pre-appointment clean. However, if you're in severe pain and the appointment was booked urgently, don't delay getting there just to brush.
For routine check-ups, fillings, and most procedures using only local anaesthesia, you can eat normally before your appointment. Eating beforehand is actually recommended if you tend to feel light-headed after local anaesthetic. However, if your appointment involves IV sedation or general anaesthesia, you must fast (typically no food for 6 hours, small sips of water up to 2 hours before). Always confirm fasting requirements with your dental practice.
Take our Dental Anxiety Assessment to understand your anxiety level and get personalised coping strategies. Practical techniques include: telling your dentist about your anxiety before treatment, agreeing on a stop signal, listening to music during treatment, scheduling a morning appointment, and practising deep breathing beforehand. Preparation itself reduces anxiety - patients who arrive organised and know what to expect consistently report lower anxiety levels.