What a new patient exam covers

If you have not seen a dentist in a while, the first visit can feel like a big unknown. Here is what actually happens at Marina Bay Dental when you come in as a new patient, so you know what to expect and how long it takes.

Before you sit in the chair

We start with your health history. We ask about medications, allergies, past dental work and anything that worries you, like sensitivity or bleeding gums. If you have insurance, send us a photo of your card before the visit and we check your benefits in advance, so there are no surprises on price.

Digital X-rays

Most new patients need a set of digital X-rays. They show what we cannot see by eye: decay between the teeth, the bone around the roots, old fillings that are starting to fail. Digital sensors use a low dose and the images show up on the screen right away, so we can look at them together.

The exam itself

Dr. Park or Dr. Reed checks every tooth, your gums, your bite and the soft tissue of your mouth, including a screening for oral cancer. We measure the pockets around your gums; this tells us whether your gums are healthy or need more attention than a standard cleaning. We also look at existing crowns and fillings and note anything that may need repair later.

Cleaning

If your gums are healthy, we do the cleaning on the same visit: removing plaque and tartar, polishing, and a fluoride treatment if it makes sense for you. If we find gum disease, we explain why a deeper cleaning is the better first step and schedule it separately.

The care plan

At the end you get a plain summary: what is healthy, what needs treatment, and what can wait. Every recommended treatment comes with a price, and we separate "needs doing soon" from "nice to have". You decide. We never start treatment you have not agreed to.

How long it takes

Plan for about 60 to 75 minutes for the exam, X-rays and cleaning. Bring your insurance card, a list of medications and your questions. The new patient exam, X-rays and cleaning is $149 for patients without insurance.