What to expect
Whether you haven't visited a dentist in a long time or you're simply trying a new practice for the first time, here's exactly what happens — from the moment you contact us to the end of your first appointment.
Your first visit
What to Expect at Larkfield Dental Aesthetics
Not knowing what to expect can make the whole thing feel more daunting than it needs to be. So we've set out every step clearly — friendly, unhurried care in Larkfield, Kent.
Step one
Before your appointment
Booking
When you call or email to register, our reception team will take a few basic details — your name, date of birth, contact information, and whether you have any particular concerns or treatment in mind. We'll book you in for a new patient consultation and send you a confirmation with the date, time, and any preparation notes.
Around 45 minutes
New patient consultations are longer than a standard check-up. This gives us enough time to do a thorough assessment, talk through your dental history, and answer any questions you have without anything feeling rushed.
Feeling nervous?
Tell us before you arrive
Please let us know when you book or by calling ahead. We'll make a note and ensure the team is prepared for you. We can also tell you exactly what will happen at your appointment so there are no surprises.
Knowing what to expect is often the most effective way to reduce anxiety.
Call 01732 521123 →What to bring
You don't need to prepare much for your first appointment. It's helpful to have:
- ✓ A list of any medications you're currently taking — including supplements and over-the-counter medicines
- ✓ Your GP's name and surgery, in case we need to make a note
- ✓ Any recent dental X-rays or records from a previous practice — or let us know and we can request them
- ✓ A note of any specific concerns, pain, or things you've been meaning to have looked at
If you have a dental plan or insurance policy you'd like to use, bring the policy details and membership number.
Step two
On the day of your appointment
Arriving at the practice
We're located at Larkfield, Kent, United Kingdom. There is parking available nearby. Please aim to arrive a few minutes before your appointment time — our reception team will greet you, take any remaining registration details, and let you know when your dentist is ready.
Our practice is calm, clean, and welcoming. There's no clinical smell or intimidating equipment on show when you walk in — just a friendly reception area where you'll be made to feel at home from the moment you arrive.
Opening hours
- Monday – Thursday 8:00 – 17:00
- Friday 8:00 – 13:00
- Saturday Closed
- Sunday Closed
Car parking
Parking is available nearby. Allow a few extra minutes if you're visiting for the first time so you can find a space and settle in before your appointment.
Get directions →Find us
Larkfield, Kent, United Kingdom
Your dentist
Meeting your dentist
Your dentist will introduce themselves and invite you to sit down for a brief conversation before the clinical part of the appointment begins. This is a genuine conversation — not a formality. We want to understand:
- How you've been feeling about your teeth and gums
- Any concerns, pain, or issues you've noticed
- Your dental history — previous treatments, any problems you've had
- What you're hoping to achieve — whether that's simply a healthy mouth, a cosmetic improvement, or something specific
You'll never be made to feel embarrassed about the state of your teeth or the length of time since you last visited a dentist. We're not here to judge — we're here to help.
Step three
Your new patient examination
Once we've had a chance to talk, your dentist will carry out a thorough clinical examination. Here's what that covers:
Your teeth
We examine every tooth in your mouth — checking for decay, cracks, wear, and the condition of any existing fillings, crowns, or other restorations.
Your gums
We assess the health of your gums, checking for signs of inflammation, recession, or bone loss that might indicate gum disease. We measure the depth of the pockets around your teeth — a quick, painless process that gives us a precise baseline for your gum health.
Your bite
We check how your upper and lower teeth meet and whether there's any sign of grinding, clenching, or uneven wear.
Soft tissues
We examine the inside of your cheeks, your tongue, the floor of your mouth, and your lips — looking for any unusual changes, ulcers, or lesions. This is your mouth cancer screening, and it's included in every new patient appointment as standard.
Existing restorations
If you have fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges, dentures, or implants, we'll assess their condition and let you know whether they're performing well or may need attention in the future.
X-rays (if needed)
We'll take X-rays if they're clinically necessary — for example, to check between teeth, examine root structures, or assess bone levels. We use digital X-ray technology, which is fast and uses a significantly lower radiation dose than conventional X-rays.
Step four
Your treatment plan
Clear, written, no pressure
At the end of your examination, your dentist will sit down with you and go through everything they've found. If your mouth is healthy, they'll tell you that clearly and book your next routine check-up. If they've found anything that needs attention, they'll explain:
- ✓ What the issue is, in plain English — no jargon
- ✓ Why it needs treatment and what happens if it's left
- ✓ What the treatment involves and how long it will take
- ✓ The cost — confirmed in writing before anything starts
- ✓ The options available, including any alternatives worth considering
Take it home
You'll receive a written treatment plan to take away with you. There is absolutely no pressure to agree to anything on the day. Take the plan home, think it over, discuss it with a partner or family member if you wish, and come back to us with any questions.
Nothing will be started until you've given your explicit consent and you're happy with the plan.
Our promise
No jargon. No pressure. No surprises.
Costs are confirmed in writing before anything starts — so you always know where you stand.
Step five
After your first appointment
Once your new patient consultation is complete, you're fully registered with us. Here's what comes next:
If no treatment is needed
We'll book your next routine check-up (usually six months away) and a hygienist appointment if appropriate.
If treatment is recommended
We'll book your first treatment appointment and, where possible, arrange a sequence of appointments that minimises the number of visits needed.
If you have any questions afterwards
Just call or email us. Our team is always happy to talk through anything from your appointment, clarify your treatment plan, or discuss costs.
Most patients leave their first appointment feeling considerably more reassured than when they arrived. We hear this regularly — and it's one of the things we're proudest of.
Families
Bringing a child to their first appointment?
A child's first dental visit is one of the most important dental appointments of their life — not because of what happens clinically, but because of how it makes them feel. A positive first experience builds a foundation for a lifetime of good dental health.
For young children, the first visit is kept short, gentle, and entirely on their terms. We'll introduce them to the chair, the light, and the instruments before we do anything, and we'll let them set the pace. There's no pressure to open wide or sit perfectly still — we take it step by step, with lots of reassurance along the way.
You're welcome to stay with your child throughout the appointment. If you think it would help for them to watch you have a check-up first, just let us know when you book — this is something we accommodate regularly and it makes a genuine difference for nervous little ones.
Children's dentistry →Questions
Frequently asked
How long does a new patient appointment take? +
We allow approximately 45 minutes for a new patient consultation. This is longer than a standard check-up because we take time to talk with you properly, carry out a thorough examination, and go through our findings and any recommendations at the end. You won't feel rushed.
Will the dentist judge me if my teeth aren't in great shape? +
No — not at all. We see patients at every stage of dental health, including those who haven't been to a dentist in many years. Our role is to help, not to lecture. We'll give you an honest assessment of where things stand and a realistic, manageable plan to improve things from wherever your starting point is.
Does a new patient appointment hurt? +
A new patient consultation is primarily an examination — there's no drilling and no injections unless you've specifically come in for a treatment that requires them. The examination involves gentle probing around your teeth and gums, which may feel slightly uncomfortable if your gums are sensitive, but shouldn't be painful. We'll always tell you what we're about to do before we do it.
What if I need a lot of treatment — will you try to push me into doing it all at once? +
No. We'll present your full treatment plan clearly and let you decide what to prioritise and at what pace. Some patients prefer to complete all recommended treatment quickly; others prefer to spread it out over time. We'll always respect your preferences and your budget, and we'll be honest about what is urgent versus what can wait.
Can I bring someone with me to my appointment? +
Yes, absolutely. You're welcome to bring a family member, partner, or friend to your appointment — particularly if you're nervous or if having someone with you for support would help. Just let us know when you book.
What if I can't afford all the recommended treatment? +
Please talk to us honestly about this — we will never recommend unnecessary treatment, but we also understand that cost is a real consideration. We'll help you prioritise what's most clinically important, discuss our Denplan payment plan which spreads the cost of routine care, and explore whether any payment arrangement options are available for larger treatment plans.
Register online
We're accepting new patients right now
Call us on 01732 521123, email hello@larkfielddentalcare.co.uk, or use our online registration form below.
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Your first visit, summarised
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01
Book & prepare
Share a few details and bring medication / GP notes if you can.
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02
Thorough consultation
Around 45 minutes — conversation, exam, and plain-English findings.
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03
Written plan, your pace
Take it home. Nothing starts without your consent.