The New-patient Experience
Your first visit, without all the guesswork.
What to Expect
Visiting a new dental office can feel like a bit of an unknown. How long will it take? How am I going to be treated? Is this just going to turn into a long list of things that I “need,” even if that’s not really the case?
Here’s the good news: at Prickly Pear Dental Care, we’ve designed the patient experience to buck the negative stereotypes. Simply put, our appointments are straightforward, thorough, and comfortable. There are no surprises, no pressure, and no rushing through your visit.
Your first visit typically takes about 90 minutes and is focused on getting a clear, complete understanding of your oral health. This includes:
A comprehensive exam with Dr. Flores
Digital x-rays
A 3D scan of your teeth and bite
A standard cleaning (when clinically appropriate)
We take our time because we believe that good dentistry starts with a complete picture—not quick, sometimes inaccurate assumptions.
Step by Step
Here’s what your visit will actually look like:
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First of all, you’ll be warmly welcomed by our front-office staff. Most patients complete their forms ahead of time (we’ll text or email them to you), but if not, you can fill them out in-office on a tablet—available in English or Spanish.
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You’ll meet one of our friendly and professional dental assistants, who will take your x-rays and complete a digital scan of your mouth. This gives us a detailed, accurate baseline to work from.
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Dr. Flores will perform a comprehensive exam and walk you through her findings. She’ll reference your x-rays, your scan, and what she sees clinically—so you can actually see and fully understand what’s going on, not just hear about it.
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Before anything else, you’ll have time to talk. Ask questions, get clarity, and understand your options. We never rush this part.
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If treatment is recommended, our front-office team will go over everything with you—including insurance and costs—before anything is scheduled.
Our Approach to Care
We believe that dentistry should be clear, honest, and grounded in what you actually need—not what can be done in order to charge you as much money as possible. This means:
We don’t recommend treatment unless it’s truly in your best interest
We’re comfortable monitoring things when appropriate
We take a long-term, health-first approach
We’ll always explain why we’re recommending something, and if you don’t understand, we’ll happily explain it again!
You should never feel pressured into making a decision on the spot. In fact, if you ever do, something’s probably off—and that’s exactly what we work to avoid.
What You Won’t Experience Here
Although we don’t like to be overly critical, we know that many patients have had negative experiences at other dental offices. With that in mind, here are a few of the things that we pledge never to put you through here at Prickly Pear Dental Care:
No rushed appointments
No confusing or unexplained treatment plans
No pressure to commit to treatment immediately
No “sales pitch”
We opened this office in order to do dentistry the right way, treating every patient with compassion and respect. We promise you that you’ll feel the difference right from your first appointment!
Ready to Schedule?
If you’re looking for a dental experience that’s a little more straightforward—and a lot more comfortable—we’d love to welcome you in!
Or feel free to call or text us at 915-308-0663 if you have any questions before booking. We’re always happy to help.
