First Appointment FAQs
1. Do I need to arrive early for my first appointment?
Yes. Please arrive 15 minutes early to fill out new patient forms.
2. What do I need to bring to my first appointment?
Please bring the following items with you to your appointment:
- New Patient Form
- Patient Health History Form
- HIPAA Consent Form
- Patient Authorization Form
- Dental Insurance Card (if applicable)
- Identification such as Driver’s License, Military ID or State ID
3. Am I able to fill out my paperwork in advance?
For your convenience, our New Patient Forms are available for download here in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Please print and complete these forms at home before your first appointment. You may also download the forms and type in. If you need assistance with downloading or printing these forms, please contact our office.
4. What is your cancellation policy?
We request 24 hours notice of cancellation of an office appointment. A cancellation fee is applied if you do not notify our office in the time requested or you fail to keep your scheduled appointment/procedure.
General Dental FAQs
1. How much time do you spend brushing your teeth each day?
According to the Academy of General Dentistry, the average person only brushes 45 to 70 seconds a day. Dr. Alpa Dalal at Dalal Dental Care recommends to brush for two minutes, twice a day for a healthy smile. It takes about 24 hours for plaque to form in the mouth and twice daily brushing and daily flossing disrupts the plaque. Those who brush two minutes, twice a day and floss at least once a day avoids getting cavities to form and thus a better oral health.
You also don’t want to overdo it. Brushing more than three times a day may not be ideal. Too much of brushing can wear down your teeth’s outer shell, called enamel, and damage your gums. The idea is to be gentle while brushing – don’t get down too hard with your brush, instead use a lighter touch. It doesn’t take a lot of force to remove plaque. If you use an electric brush, let the bristles do the work and just guide the toothbrush.
2. Why is flossing important?
Even if you brush twice a day, there are places your toothbrush bristles can’t reach. There are several ways to clean between your teeth and flossing is the most common. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between teeth and under the gum line. Your dentist or hygienist can show you the right way to floss.
3. Do you provide free consultation?
At Dalal Dental Care, we offer an extensive range of dental services for all ages. From basic dental checkups to periodontal therapy, root canal therapy, Invisalign and more. We invite you to come in and see what we can do to transform your smile. At your free consultation, we’ll assess your condition; talk to you about your goals, budget, and time frame; and educate you about the procedures available to you, so you can make your own decisions.