Welcome to Caring Dental
Come and meet our friendly team in Petts Wood
At Caring Dental in Petts Wood, Orpington, you can always expect a warm welcome. Your first visit is especially important to us, as we get to know each other and discuss your dental needs. We want you to feel comfortable and confident, so please let us know if there is anything we can do to help. We would be glad to show you around the practice, too.
Appointment confirmation
- Once you have booked your new patient appointment, you will receive an email confirming the date and time. You will also be prompted to complete your medical information and personal details online, using our secure patient portal.
- Completing your medical information beforehand is very helpful, so that your dentist is fully prepared and informed when you arrive. Please call us on 01689 664600 if you need help or have any questions.
- If you prefer, you can complete the form when you arrive for your appointment, but please come about 10 minutes early to allow enough time. Our friendly reception team will be happy to help you.
- You will receive an automated appointment reminder by email and SMS text (unless booking the same day / close to the scheduled time). This is a courtesy service only, so we would also encourage you to put appointments in your calendar and set your own reminders.
Meeting your dentist
- If you haven’t been to Caring Dental before, you might like to read about visiting and accessibility. Please contact our reception team if you need any assistance, thank you.
- When you arrive, your dentist will greet you in reception and accompany you to the treatment room where you will also meet your dental nurse. It’s always good to have a friendly chat at this stage to get to know you a little more. We will listen carefully to any concerns or issues you have, and discuss the reasons for your visit.
- Your dentist will have a copy of your medical information, and may ask you about any health conditions and medications that are relevant to your examination or treatment needs. Rest assured, your conversations at the practice are entirely confidential.
- This is a good opportunity to let us know if there is anything we can do to make your visit more comfortable or relaxing. At Caring Dental, we are very experienced with treating nervous patients too. You can read about ways we can help you here.
Dental examination / check-up
- The dentist will provide you with a thorough examination by visually inspecting your entire mouth. The soft tissues are checked first to ensure they are healthy, with no sign of mouth cancer. Early detection is crucial, so regular dental check-ups are important, along with awareness of risks and symptoms. You can learn more and read about our Mouth Cancer Action Month here.
- You will be told how healthy your gums are and will be screened for periodontal (gum) disease. All your teeth and any restorations, such as fillings, crowns or implants, are thoroughly checked. The condition of these will be discussed and recorded.
- We use a tiny intra-oral camera to show you close-up digital images from inside your mouth. This can help with understanding treatment and hygiene needs, and monitoring dental conditions. We may also use an advanced intra-oral scanner to create a virtual 3D record of your teeth and restorations, for comparison over time.
Digital X-rays (radiographs)
- Depending on your specific needs, your dentist may take X-rays to assess your dental health beyond what is visible, including between teeth, their interior and roots, and the jaw bone. This helps us to detect any hidden issues, such as decay or infection.
- We use different types of X-ray, including smaller ones taken in the treatment room by gently closing your teeth on a film holder (‘bitewing’) for a few seconds. We might also recommend a panoramic X-ray to create comprehensive images of your entire mouth and jaw.
- You will be asked to remove any jewellery from the neck up, so you may prefer not to wear any chains, earrings or studs for this visit. All our X-rays are digital, and your dentist will show you them on a large screen, along with any digital photos, while they explain their findings.
- If you would like to learn more, please visit our X-rays & digital imaging page.
Treatment planning
- After your examination, your dentist will discuss your oral health with you and of course answer any questions you may have. If any follow-up treatment is necessary, you will be invited to participate in creating a treatment plan tailored to your needs, budget and preferred outcomes. We believe in presenting different options and helping you to decide what is best for you.
- We may recommend that you see one of our highly-skilled and experienced specialists or hygienists for either a consultation or treatment. The decision is always yours to make, and you do not have to decide during your initial appointment.
- Your dentist will also explain the recommended frequency for your routine dental examinations and hygienist appointments. Most patients prefer to join one of our Denplan payment plans. Your dentist will be able to advise what level of cover and number of visits is most suitable for you.
Coming Back
- Any treatment that is recommended or agreed with you can either be printed or sent by email, or will be accessible to you on your patient portal. Your dentist will hand you over to one of our helpful receptionists, who will assist with booking any further appointments you require, take payments, or help you sign up for Denplan.
- For longer treatment sessions or if you are seeing one of our specialists, a deposit may be requested to secure the appointment, ensuring that valuable and in-demand slots are booked effectively. This deposit will be credited towards the cost of your treatment.
- If you would like to budget for your dental treatment, you may like to spread the cost with our interest-free finance plan. Our friendly reception team will be happy to help if you need assistance completing the application.
We look forward to caring for you!
Book your initial appointment online today or if you prefer, please call the practice on 01689 664600