We’re always excited about meeting new patients, whether you live in Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Marina del Rey, and the greater South Bay and Los Angeles areas. Our aim is to make your first visit to our office comfortable and worry-free. Your initial appointment will be about 60 minutes. We’ll listen to your concerns, take dental records and perform a comprehensive survey of your teeth before the doctor examines you and discusses your treatment options. Whether you’re here for a periodic cleaning, cosmetic enhancement or a root canal, we customize the experience to your needs. As soon as you walk through our doors, you’ll feel at ease in our inviting, caring environment.
A Warm Welcome
Our friendly, attentive front office team members will greet you with a smile. We know no one likes being handed a stack of paperwork, so we keep things minimal. You’ll be asked to provide us with some information regarding your dental and medical history and then we’ll walk you through the insurance and financial forms. If you want to get the ball rolling and expedite the process, fill out our new patient digital forms online. If you’d rather do everything in the office, we ask that you come to your appointment 10 minutes early to complete the paperwork. Whichever method you choose, it will ensure the doctor has all of the necessary information to provide you with the best care possible and will help you relieve any unnecessary anxiety you might be feeling.
Taking Records
Your time is valuable, so we keep wait times to a minimum. Once we have your paperwork, we’ll call you back to one of our treatment rooms. Your hygienist will take quick, painless digital x-rays, which are key to keeping your care conservative and minimally invasive. We’ll also snap photos to identify oral conditions that can’t be captured on x-ray, like gum recession and staining patterns. These records are essential for allowing your doctor to do a thorough exam and develop an appropriate treatment plan. When they’re complete, your hygienist will measure the small spaces between your teeth and gums, called “gum pockets,” to determine which type of dental cleaning is right for you.
The Exam
Dr. Gutierrez will sit down with you to go over all of your records, examine your teeth and perform an oral cancer screening. They’ll explain the findings and the basics of any treatment. You’ll have time to get to know your dentist and if you have questions, please, ask away! We want to address all of your concerns. Dr. Gutierrez is both committed to your comfort and giving you compassionate, comprehensive care.
What if More Treatment is Needed?
If additional dental treatment is necessary, such as a deep cleaning, we’ll do our best to try to accommodate you on the same day immediately following the new patient appointment. We’re able to do this in the majority of cases, which saves you from having to make another trip to the office. If more extensive dental work is needed, we’ll discuss your treatment and financial options at the end of your first visit and provide you with convenient scheduling options so that we can fix any problems in a timely manner. We hope you leave every visit feeling fully informed about your dental health and treatment choices without being rushed.
Enjoy compassionate, skillful care in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
