FAQs

What can I expect at my dental appointment with Palmer Dental?

When you come through the doors at Palmer Dental, our friendly front office staff will greet you and make sure all your questions are answered. If you are getting a cleaning, our gentle hygienists will gather valuable information to help determine your treatment needs.

A thorough exam by Dr. Palmer may include diagnostic images, periodontal measurements, intraoral pictures, and an oral cancer screening. We will discuss all information and treatment options with you and partner with you in determining a plan that works best.

Our front office staff will assist you with your financial needs.

What types of payment do you accept?

We offer a wide range of payment plans to suit your dental needs. We accept cash, check, all major credit cards, and CareCredit. We will also work with your insurance company to help you obtain any benefits that apply to you. Please contact us if you have any specific questions regarding insurance coverage.

I’m a new patient; how long is my first appointment?

Our #1 goal is to treat every patient the way we would treat our own family members. For this reason, the Palmer Dental team takes the time necessary to collect valuable diagnostic information in order to understand your specific dental needs. Our initial appointment usually lasts one and a half to two hours.

Do I need X-rays?

Dental technology has improved dramatically over the last few years. Now, with digital X-rays, the amount of radiation exposure is about the same as you would be exposed to on any given day from environmental factors. The dosage of radiation with dental X-rays is so low it is regarded as negligible.

To get a complete picture of your dental health, we typically take diagnostic images if you are a new patient and do not have current X-rays from a previous dentist. For returning patients, depending on your caries risk (how susceptible you are to developing cavities), we recommend updating these diagnostic images every 6 to 24 months.  

Do you need my old dental chart and X-rays?

At Palmer Dental, we aim to give you the best dental care possible.  Your past dental history and X-rays is valuable information we can use to help us understand your specific dental needs better.

If you don’t have your previous dental file, we can work with you and your previous provider to get the necessary information.