Your first visit to Boulder Smile Design takes about 60-90 minutes. You'll fill out forms (online beforehand if you prefer), have digital X-rays taken, get a full exam with Dr. Friedman, and receive a cleaning. You'll leave knowing exactly what's going on with your teeth and what it would cost to address it.
New-patient appointments generate more anxiety than they need to, largely because nobody tells you what actually happens. So here's the whole thing, start to finish.
Before You Arrive
Fill out your forms online. We'll email you a link when you book. Ten minutes on your couch beats fifteen minutes on a clipboard while a receptionist waits.
Bring three things: your insurance card, a photo ID, and a list of any medications you take. That last one matters more than people assume - plenty of common prescriptions affect your gums, your saliva, or how anesthetic works.
- Come a few minutes early if you'd rather do the paperwork here.
- Eat first. No reason not to, and you'll be more comfortable.
When You Get Here
Someone will greet you by name and confirm your insurance details. If you'd like to see the office before sitting down in a treatment room, just ask - we're happy to walk you around first, and for nervous patients it takes a lot of the edge off. If dental visits make you uneasy, learn how we help with dental anxiety.
X-Rays and Photos (about 10 minutes)
We take digital X-rays, which use significantly less radiation than the film versions you may remember and appear on screen instantly. Depending on your history we may also take intraoral photos.
If you've had X-rays elsewhere in the past year, we can often request them instead. Mention it when you book.
Your Exam with Dr. Friedman (about 20 minutes)
This is the part that matters most, and it's mostly conversation.
Dr. Friedman will examine your teeth, gums, bite, and soft tissue, including an oral cancer screening. Then - and this is the important bit - he'll pull your images up on the screen and walk you through what he's seeing.
You'll look at your own teeth. He'll point at the specific spot he's concerned about and explain why. If there's a crack, you'll see the crack. If a filling is failing, you'll see it failing. You'll also hear which things need attention now, which can reasonably be watched, and which don't need doing at all.
There's time for questions. Ask all of them, including the ones you think are dumb. They aren't. You can read more about Dr. Friedman before your visit.
Your Cleaning (about 50 minutes)
Your hygienist removes plaque and tartar, polishes, and flosses. If it's been a while since your last cleaning, tell her - there's no judgment, and knowing helps her adjust her approach.
If you have sensitive teeth or a sensitive gag reflex, say so at the start. There are things she can do about both.
Your Plan and Your Costs
Before you leave, you'll get a written treatment plan if you need one - listing what's recommended, in what order of priority, with cost estimates and what your insurance is expected to cover.
You will not be asked to decide anything at the front desk. Take the plan home. Think about it. Get a second opinion if you want one. Nobody here works on commission, and nothing gets scheduled that you didn't ask to schedule. Review your insurance and financing options whenever you're ready.
What We Won't Do
We won't lecture you about how long it's been. We won't recommend treatment you don't need. And we won't put you on the spot about money while you're still in the chair.
Ready to book?
New patients welcome, and most insurance is accepted. Call us at 303-442-6142 or book an appointment online. For more on getting started, see our new patients page.
Ready to Schedule Your Visit?
Contact Boulder Smile Design today to book an appointment with Dr. Jesse Friedman.