Before You Arrive
A little preparation goes a long way toward making your first appointment quick and stress-free.
Fill out your new patient forms in advance. One of the easiest ways to save time on your first visit is to take care of your paperwork before you arrive. We ask new patients to complete a Medical History Exam form, which gives our team important background on your overall health, current medications, and any conditions we should be aware of before treatment begins. If you’d like us to be able to discuss your care with a spouse, parent, or other trusted person, you can also fill out a HIPAA Authorization form ahead of time. Both forms are available on our Patient Resources page, so you can print them out, fill them in at your own pace, and bring them with you — meaning less time in the waiting room and more time getting to know your care team.
Bring your insurance information. We accept most major dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental, Principal Financial Group, Aetna, Guardian, MetLife, and BlueCross BlueShield. If you’re unsure about your coverage, bring your insurance card, and our team will help sort out the details.
Know your payment options. We accept cash, check, VISA, Mastercard, and Discover. We’ve also partnered with CareCredit to offer flexible financing with little to no interest, and we offer an in-house Membership Plan for patients without insurance — starting as low as $400 a year for an individual or $1,200 for a family.
What Happens During Your Appointment
When you arrive at our Urbandale office at 7117 Hickman Road, our team will greet you and make sure any last paperwork is squared away. From there, your visit typically includes:
- A conversation about your dental history and goals. Whether you’re due for a routine cleaning or have specific concerns, we want to understand your needs before we get started.
- A comprehensive exam. Our dentist, Dr. Brad Erickson, will examine your teeth, gums, and bite to get a full picture of your oral health.
- Digital X-rays, if needed. Our digital imaging is highly accurate at catching issues that aren’t visible during a standard clinical exam, so we can spot problems early.
- A professional cleaning. Our team will remove plaque and tartar buildup and polish your teeth.
- A clear conversation about next steps. If we find anything that needs attention — from a cavity to a cracked filling — we’ll walk you through your options in plain language, with no pressure and no dental jargon.
We believe straightforward communication is just as important as clinical skill. You should leave your first visit understanding exactly what’s going on with your smile and what, if anything, comes next.
