What To Expect at Your First Visit
By sharing what to expect on your first visit, we hope to make it easy for you to get to know us – so that we can get to know you!
What to Bring
Please complete our New Patient Form online prior to your appointment. The new patient form helps our team understand your overall health.
The Appointment Process
During your first visit, we’ll complete a full oral exam – including X-rays – to assess the overall health of your smile.
Once the exam is complete, your dentist will develop a personalized oral health plan, from at-home care to (potentially) additional services you and your dentist agree upon. We’ll also recommend a time for your next appointment.
Your first visit is also a great time to ask questions about your treatment options, or to discuss your goals for your oral health. Please don’t hesitate to ask our staff any questions or concerns.
Insurance & Payment Options
At Highland Dental Centre, we want to help make your dental experience as seamless as possible. We do our best to help you navigate our options for payment and insurance so you can focus on more important things, like restoring your oral health and achieving your dental goals.
Insurance Claims
Our front office administrators are happy to accept most insurance plans. For your convenience, we can direct bill your insurance company for you and our administrative team is happy to assist you if you need help understanding your insurance plan more thoroughly.
Payment Methods
All non-insured balances are due on the day of the appointment. We accept Visa, MasterCard, debit, and e-transfer.
Support for Anxious Patients
Anxiety or fear around dental appointments is very common, and it can prevent people from getting the dental care they need. If this sounds like you, don't fret.
The team at Highland Dental Centre has a variety of practices in place, including dental sedation options, to help you relax during your appointments.
FAQs About Our Office
Learn more about our office, parking and transit information, and how to keep your smile healthy.
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What features does your clinic offer?
Our clinic offers a number of features, including:
- Convenient Location & Hours
- Free On-Site Parking
- Accessible by Public Transit
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Comfortable Seating & Entertainment (TV)
- Multiple Appointment Bookings for Families
- Direct Billing to Insurance Companies
- Phone & Text Appointment Reminders
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How can I book an appointment?
To book an appointment at Highland Dental Centre, please contact our office during our regular business hours.
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How long will my first visit take?
It’s pretty common for a first appointment with our office to take about an hour. That gives us time to familiarize ourselves with your previous dental treatment and understand your current oral health goals. Don’t forget to arrive a few minutes early to complete our New Patient form. You can also fill it out ahead of time by downloading the form below.
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How do I cancel or reschedule an appointment?
To cancel or reschedule an appointment, please call us. Please let us know about any change of plans as soon as you can, so we can offer the space in our schedule to another patient.
Our staff will contact you one week prior to your appointment, and again the day before your appointment, to remind you of your dental visit.
However, it is your responsibility to arrive for your scheduled treatment.
Should you need to change or cancel your appointment, we ask that you give our office at least two business days' notice.
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Do you offer appointment reminders?
In the days before your appointment, you will receive automated phone and text appointment reminders from us. If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please call us as soon as possible to let us know.
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Does your clinic have on-site parking?
Yes, we have free on-site parking available for all our patients.
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Are you accessible by public transit?
Yes. There is a bus stop in the southwest corner of the Walmart parking lot at Highland Square Mall. The route is part of the Pictou County Transit System.
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How can I take care of my smile between appointments?
Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Brush when you first get out of bed, and before you lie down to sleep at night. Use short, gentle strokes to brush plaque away from your gums.
Floss daily. It helps to eliminate food particles in places your toothbrush can’t reach, like below your gum line.
Brush your tongue, too! Use a back-to-front sweeping motion to help rid your mouth of food particles and freshen your breath. Using a tongue scraper is even more effective than using your toothbrush.
Change your toothbrush often. We recommend replacing your toothbrush (or the head of your electric toothbrush) at least once every three months, or when the bristles start to fray.
Pack an apple in your lunch. Certain foods, like apples, can help to clean your teeth. Eat an apple instead, if you can't brush right after your meal. It’ll help keep your teeth clean until you’re able to brush.
Brush your teeth with baking soda once a week. This helps to remove stains and whiten your smile. So does drinking plenty of water. Try to drink a glass of water every hour during the day. It’ll help flush bacteria off your teeth and out of your mouth.