Making Your Appointment
Many of our patients are referred by our colleagues for special care. However, please feel free to contact us directly if you wish to. Our regular office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 to 5:00.
Scheduling: Before calling, give some thought to what is most convenient for you: Portland or Biddeford? Early, mid-day, or late day?
Calling: When you call for your first visit we will ask you several questions in order to make your first visit more productive:
- What is your major concern? (Dental implants, pain, swelling, referral, etc.)
- What is your preferred phone number in case we need to contact you?
- What is your date of birth? (Used for identification instead of SSN)
- What is the best office/time for you?
- Are records being sent or can we request them from another Dentist?
Emergencies: Let us know if you are experiencing severe pain or swelling when you call and we will do our best to get you in in a timely manner. At the first visit, we will then focus on the urgent problem.
At Your First Visit
Please arrive a few minutes early unless you have already completed the history. We will try to be as punctual as possible.
Dr. Gager will do an examination and begin developing a treatment plan. Often treatment can begin at your second visit.
It is usually not possible to begin substantial treatment at your first visit because there are many unanswered questions relating to medical history and treatment decisions.
What to bring: The more information you bring, the more we can accomplish at your first visit. A list of all current medications and allergies is extremely important. Available x-rays are very helpful if possible.
Certainly feel free to have a friend or relative come with you. It is often helpful to have a friend to talk about treatment with.
Objectives: By the end of your first visit we would like you to be aware of the problems and what your treatment options are. You may schedule to begin treatment or call us back after considering your options.
On occasion we may need to speak with your restorative dentist to finalize the plan or we may need to review your x-rays. If this is the case, we will schedule a treatment review consultation usually within two weeks.
Reports: Customarily we send a report to your physician or dentist regarding our findings and proposed treatment along with a copy of any dental films taken. If you wish to have us hold this, please let us know.