Your first visit · San Luis Obispo & Arroyo Grande
What actually happens at the first visit.
About an hour. An exam, a digital scan, a conversation about what we’d do, and the full fee in writing before you decide anything. No cost, and no obligation at the end of it.
Or call the office: San Luis Obispo 805.544.3223 · Arroyo Grande 805.489.4625
Before anything else
We’re not treating a patient. We’re treating a person, and the family who came with them.
“It’s the parent that brings them. It’s the brothers and sisters that come along. We want you to feel at home and not feel like this is a burden to have to come see us.”
— Dr. GarrettBring whoever’s with you. There’s room in the treatment bay so the family can come back rather than sit in the waiting room, and there’s a play area with an aquarium and a submarine with videos in it for whoever isn’t in the chair.
Start to finish, in order.
- 01
You arrive
The front office will have you in the system already if you’ve sent the forms ahead. If not, it takes a few minutes. Patient forms →
- 02
Records
Photographs and a digital scan of your teeth. The scan takes under two minutes, no tray of putty, nothing to gag on. You watch your own teeth appear on the screen while it happens.
- 03
Imaging
An X-ray, and 3D imaging where the case calls for it. Included in the complimentary consultation, at no charge. Nothing about the first visit carries a fee.
- 04
Your exam with Dr. Garrett
He looks at the teeth, the bite and the jaw, and at the scan with you. He’ll tell you what he sees, including when the answer is that nothing needs doing yet.
- 05
The plan
What he’d recommend, what the alternatives are, roughly how long it would take, and what’s involved week to week.
- 06
Your investment
The complete fee in writing, what your insurance is expected to cover, the down payment and the interest-free monthly options. Before you leave, not in a letter afterwards. Financing →
- 07
Get started
If you’re ready, we can usually get started soon after the consultation. If you’d rather take the plan home and think it over, that’s completely fine too. Nobody is going to press you.
Who you’ll meet.
Front office
Jennifer or Liz will check you in.
Treatment coordinator
Amanda B. or Katie will take your records and walk you through the plan and the fee.
Dr. Garrett
The exam and the plan. He’s the only orthodontist here, so he’s the one you’ll see at every visit after this one too. Meet Dr. Garrett →
Jennifer
Front Office Administrator
Liz
Front Office Scheduler
Amanda B.
Treatment Coordinator
Katie
Treatment Coordinator / Orthodontic Assistant
Pick the one that fits your week.
Same doctor and the same records at both, so you can switch when a week doesn’t work.
San Luis Obispo
Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 to 4:30
1312 Garden St.
Arroyo Grande
Monday and Wednesday, 8:30 to 4:30 · front office Friday mornings
1040 E. Grand Ave.
First-visit FAQs.
How long does it take?
About an hour.
Does it cost anything?
The consultation is complimentary, the exam, the scan and the treatment plan. The X-ray and 3D imaging are included at no charge too.
Will my child need braces on the day?
Usually no. The first visit is an assessment. For younger children the answer is most often that nothing needs doing yet and we’ll look again in a year.
Do I need a referral from my dentist?
No. Plenty of patients are referred and plenty just call us.
What if I’m nervous?
Say so when you arrive. It’s an exam and a conversation, nothing is done to your teeth at this appointment.
Can I bring the other children?
Yes. There’s a play area, and there’s room in the treatment bay if you’d rather they came back with you.
