Tips for Your Dental Appointment
Not very fond of visiting the dentist?
Don’t worry, we are here to help!
Here are some tips to make your dental visits more enjoyable.
Your First Visit to Our Clinic
Proof of Identity
Bring along your identity card or birth certificate for registration.Insurance Panel
Do check your eligibility with your insurance provider, and bring along your insurance card.We are currently on the panel of providers for AIA, Alliance, IHP, MHC and Parkway Shenton.
Medications and Drug Allergies
Bring along a list of the medications you are currently taking, and any medication you are allergic to:- The medications will inform us more about any medical condition you might have, which may affect your dental treatment
- Drug allergies must be recorded for safety reasons. This includes any medication which causes rashes, itching, eye and throat swelling.
Recent Radiographs and Referral Letter or Memo
Bring along any recent Radiographs or X-rays taken at another dental clinic.Do bring along any letter from your doctor or dentist, as this will help your attending dentist understand your condition better.
Brush Your Teeth Before You Visit!
Do try to brush your teeth before coming for your appointment.- Your dentist will be able to examine your teeth better without obstruction from food particles and plaque build-up.
- Also a good way for the dentist to assess your toothbrushing technique!
Mask Requirements
The current guideline from the Ministry of Health (MOH) Singapore states that mask-wearing is no longer required in dental clinics from 1 March 2024.
Bringing Your Child to the Dentist for the First Time
First Time Visits for Young Children
Mental preparation is essential to help the child acclimatise to a dental setting. Avoid negative stereotyping – “the dentist will pull out your teeth if you don’t behave” as this only imparts fear and makes the dentist to be the “bad guy”. Little surprise then when the child becomes unco-operative.
Manage Your Expectations
If you’re aware there are cavities in your child’s teeth and they have never been to a dentist before, do not expect any fillings to be done at the first visit! The dentist usually spends the first visit introducing dental instruments and equipment to the child – this takes time and builds the child’s trust. If the child is amenable, a little polishing will help to acclimatise them to receiving dental treatment. All of the effort will go down the drain if the parent insists to have at least a filling done on a nervous and apprehensive child – the child will just remember the unpleasant experience, and this may start a life-long fear of the dentist.
Baby steps to winning a child’s trust – some polishing is usually the best way to start.
Tips for Dental Procedures
Practice Breathing through the Nose
It helps a lot to practice breathing through your nose with your mouth open. This helps to reduce the choking sensation – water will indefinitely be introduced into the mouth, and some patients will feel uncomfortable. By focusing on breathing through the nose, it helps to reduce the gag reflex, calms you down, and reduces tongue movement – all of which will make the dentist’s job much easier!
Avoid Having a Very Full Meal before Your Appointment
While having some food before a major dental procedure is advisable (since you may not be able to chew well right after), do try to avoid being too full, for 2 good reasons:
- You may get indigestion since you will be lying down for some time.
- Triggered gag reflex during the procedure may lead to a merlion episode if you’re too full.
Bring along any Night Guards or Retainers
The dentist may need to check their condition, and also make the necessary adjustments to allow them to fit after restorative procedures are done on your teeth.
On Blood-Thinning Medication
If you are currently on any blood thinning medication such as Aspirin (Cardiprin®) or Clopidogrel (Plavix®), do not stop them unnecessarily before any dental procedures!
- Depending on which medication, you may have to stop them for 5 or 7 days for any effect. Stopping them for 1-2 days will not have any effect whatsoever.
- Always check with your physician if you can stop your medication – we do not wish to put your health at risk.
- Most dental procedures do not require any stopping of blood thinners – procedures such as scaling & polishing, fillings, root canal treatment, fabrication of dentures, crowns, or bridges.
Blood-thinning medication should only be stopped for extractions, or surgical procedures. However, if any of these more invasive procedures are planned, the dentist will first write a memo to your physician to explain which procedure is required and to get the green light from your physician to stop any of the medication, as well as for instructions on how long the blood-thinner should be stopped.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis
This is mainly for patients with certain congenital heart conditions, previous history of infective endocarditis, or recent hip/knee replacement. If you require antibiotics before some dental procedures, please let us know in advance!
- You may have to come at least 1 hour before your appointment to take the antibiotics first, or you may drop by a couple days earlier to collect the antibiotics to be taken 1 hour before the appointment.
Have More Questions?
