{"id":356,"date":"2021-02-07T19:47:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-07T19:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.whiteclaydental.com\/blog\/?p=356"},"modified":"2026-04-17T17:54:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T17:54:30","slug":"havent-visited-newark-dentist-in-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.whiteclaydental.com\/blog\/2021\/02\/07\/havent-visited-newark-dentist-in-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Upcoming Dental Appointment? What to Expect If It\u2019s Been Years"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Woman<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Has it been a while since your last dental appointment? Whether it\u2019s due to time constraints, cost, anxiety, or the current COVID-19 pandemic, there are plenty of reasons why you may have put off a visit for months or maybe years. However, now that you\u2019ve taken the first step and scheduled your next checkup, you\u2019re that much closer to taking charge of your oral health<\/a>! Congratulations! If you\u2019re feeling a little nervous or unsure about your appointment, read on to learn more about what your next dental checkup will look like if it\u2019s been a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Checking In <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, checking in for your appointment will work a bit differently than before. When you arrive at the practice, you\u2019ll stay in your car and give the front desk a call to check in. Then, when you enter the office, you\u2019ll take a quick health questionnaire and fill out new patient paperwork about your medical history and dental insurance (if you haven\u2019t filled these out online beforehand). Next, you\u2019ll be asked to use a hospital-grade hand sanitizer before being led back to the treatment area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meeting Your Dentist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019re settled into the dental chair, you\u2019ll meet your dentist. While they will be wearing more PPE than before and won\u2019t be giving out handshakes, you can rest assured that they\u2019re happy to see you. They\u2019ll take the time to introduce themselves and get to know you, including reviewing your health history and asking about any dental concerns you may have. Then, they\u2019ll ask you to rinse your mouth out with a special mouthwash and introduce you to one of their talented hygienists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Dental Cleaning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While you sit back and relax in the chair, your dentist or their dental hygienist will carefully clean your teeth. They\u2019ll focus on removing plaque and tartar buildup from those hard-to-brush places like behind your back molars and just under your gumline. Then, they\u2019ll use a different tool and a slightly gritty substance to polish away any surface stains on your enamel and leave your teeth gleaming. While none of this should cause discomfort, feel free to let your dental team know if you have sensitive teeth or concerns about pain so they can make arrangements to keep you comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Dental Exam<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Next is the dental exam, which includes several components:<\/p>\n\n\n\n