Initially, you will be asked a number of questions including your main dental concerns, and relevant medical history. A dental examination will then be undertaken and a decision will be made if any radiographic images are required to supplement the clinical findings. If your dentist has recently taken x-ray pictures it is worthwhile asking if you can bring these along to the appointment.
If radiographs are taken following the clinical examination, you will be seen in the clinic for a second time, during the same visit, and other members of the team may be asked to examine you. Specialist trainees are also often present in these clinics.
Once a full examination has been undertaken, your treatment options will be explained to both parent and patient.
Occasionally, additional special records (for example, dental study models) are required before treatment options can be given and you may be asked to attend a separate appointment to have these collected.
Following the consultation, a letter will be written to your dentist, and copied to you, that outlines the main clinical findings, treatment options and the outcome of the days visit. This letter can take a few weeks to reach the dentist.
Some patients will not be at the correct dental developmental stage to start treatment and they will be reviewed again on the clinic 6-24 months after this initial visit depending on their age. Other patients will be ready and will be placed onto the appropriate orthodontic, paediatric or restorative waiting list.
If the patient's management involves less complex procedures, these maybe arranged with the family dentist.