New Patient Exam Services
Reasons New Patients Choose an Exam in Rexburg
People switch dentists for real reasons, not because we told them to. Here’s what we hear most from new patients who walk through our doors.
Rexburg has a lot of folks moving in and out each year, especially around BYU-Idaho semester changes. New patients tell us they need a dentist fast, one who can see them without a three-week wait. Our new patient exam includes X-rays for $79, and we can usually get you in the same week you call.
Some patients come because they’re tired of guessing. They’ve had cleanings before but never really saw what the dentist was looking at. We show every patient their own X-rays and cone-beam scans on the screen, right next to them. You see the same picture we see. No taking our word for it.
- They want evening or Saturday hours that fit around work or farm schedules
- They’re new to Rexburg and need a dental home before a problem shows up
- They want a free wellness scan to catch something small before it turns big
- They’ve had a bad experience elsewhere and want a doctor who explains things plainly
- They’re looking for a dentist their whole family can see, not just the kids or just the adults
Our doctor’s put in 20 years doing this exact kind of exam. That matters when something on the X-ray looks a little off and needs a second look, not a guess.
A lot of people just want to be shown, not told. That’s the whole point of a new patient exam here. You walk out knowing what’s going on in your mouth, what it costs to fix it, and what happens if you wait.
New Patient Exams vs. Missionary Dental Exams
Rexburg is full of missionaries heading out for a year or two, and a lot of them come through our door asking the same question. What’s the difference between a new patient exam and a missionary dental exam? They’re not the same visit.
A new patient exam is for anyone starting care with us. It includes X-rays, an oral cancer screening, and a look at your teeth and gums with our AI-assisted imaging so you can see exactly what we see on screen. We built this exam to show you where your mouth stands today, not just a quick look and a “you’re fine.”
A missionary dental exam is different. Missions require proof that you’re healthy enough to serve without needing dental work while you’re gone. We check for cavities, gum problems, wisdom teeth that might act up, and anything else that could turn into a problem overseas or in a mission field with no dentist nearby. Then we fill out the paperwork your mission needs.
Here’s the thing, some missionaries need both. If it’s been a while since your last checkup, or you’ve never had X-rays taken here, we’ll often start with the new patient exam and build the missionary paperwork on top of it. That way you’re not paying for two separate visits or leaving anything unchecked.
Not sure which one applies to you? Call us and tell us your mission report date. We’ll tell you exactly what to book, no guessing involved.
What Happens During Your First Visit
Walk in, and here’s what happens. No mystery, no surprise forms shoved in your face five minutes before you’re seen.
First, we take digital X-rays. These use less radiation than old film, and you’ll see the images pop up on a screen right in front of you. We walk through what we’re looking at together. Cavities, bone levels, anything hiding below the gumline, it’s all right there, not hidden in some folder you never get to see.
Next comes the exam itself. The doctor checks your teeth, your gums, your bite, and does an oral cancer screening too. If something looks off, you’ll hear about it in plain words, not dental jargon that leaves you nodding along without understanding a thing.
For some patients, especially anyone dealing with jaw pain, missing teeth, or a complicated dental history, we’ll bring in the cone beam CT scanner. This gives a full 3D view of your mouth, jaw, and nerves. It used to mean a separate referral. Here, it’s part of the same visit, shown to you on-screen, same as the X-rays.
Then we talk. What we found, what it means, and what your options are.
No pressure to decide anything on the spot.
A typical new patient exam runs about an hour, sometimes a little less. You’ll leave with a clear picture of where your teeth stand today, not a vague “everything’s fine” and a bill. We’d rather you understand your own mouth than just trust us blindly. The screen does most of the talking.
How New Patient Exam Pricing Works
Let’s talk money for a second, because it’s on your mind. New patient exam costs can look different from one dental office to the next, and that confuses people. Here’s why.
A new patient exam usually bundles a few things together. You’ve got the actual exam, digital X-rays, and sometimes a screening for oral cancer. Some offices charge for each piece separately. Others bundle it into one flat visit. That bundling is what drives the price you see quoted anywhere.
What pushes a price up or down? A few things. Whether X-rays are included matters a lot, since X-rays alone can cost more than the exam itself at some places. Whether a cone beam CT scan is needed adds another layer. That’s a bigger, 3D image used mostly for implant planning or tricky root canal cases. Not every new patient needs one. Insurance status changes things too, since a plan may cover part of the visit or none of it depending on your coverage.
Before you book anywhere, ask a few questions. Does the exam include X-rays, or is that extra? Is there a separate fee if a cone beam scan gets recommended? Will someone walk you through what they find, or just hand you a bill?
We think that last question matters most. Most patients don’t push back on a treatment plan, they just want to understand it. That’s the whole point of showing you your own X-rays and scans on a screen instead of just telling you what we saw. You should see the evidence before you decide anything.
So don’t shop on price alone. An exam that skips X-rays isn’t a better deal, it just moves the cost to your next visit.
When You Don't Need a New Patient Exam
Let’s be honest for a second. Not everyone walking around Rexburg needs a new patient exam right now, and we’d rather tell you that straight than waste your Tuesday evening slot.
If you’re already an established patient here and you’re just due for a routine cleaning, you don’t need this. A new patient exam is built for someone starting fresh, someone whose mouth we haven’t mapped out yet with X-rays and a full look at your gums, bite, and jaw. If we already have your records on file, you’d just book a regular cleaning or checkup instead.
Same goes if you had a full set of X-rays taken somewhere else in the last six months or so and can bring those records with you. Ask your old office to send them over. That can save you a repeat X-ray series, and we’ll tell you straight if we still need new images for a clear picture.
And if you’re in real pain right now, swelling, a broken tooth, something that can’t wait, that’s not a new patient exam situation. That’s an emergency visit. Different appointment, different urgency.
One more case worth mentioning. Missionaries heading out soon have their own exam built for their timeline and needs, not the standard new patient visit.
So before you book, ask yourself: do I have recent X-rays somewhere else? Am I already a patient here? Is this urgent pain? Any yes changes what you should schedule. We’d rather point you to the right appointment than fill a slot that doesn’t fit you.
A new patient exam is the starting point for our general dentistry care — from your first dental cleaning to any tooth-colored fillings you might need down the road.
Ready to get started? Call us at (208) 400-9946 to schedule your new patient exam.
Ready To Schedule Your Appointment?
Our friendly team at Family First Dental is here to help! Contact our office today and let us take care of your dental health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring to my first visit?
Bring your ID, insurance card, and a list of any medications you take. If you have old X-rays from another dentist, bring those too, so we can compare them to what we find. You don’t need to fill out paperwork before you arrive. We’ll walk you through everything when you get here, and the whole visit moves at your pace, not a rushed one.
How long does a new patient exam take?
A new patient exam usually takes about an hour, sometimes a little less. That includes digital X-rays, the doctor’s exam, an oral cancer screening, and time to talk through what we found. You’ll see your own X-rays on the screen as we go, so nothing happens behind closed doors. You leave knowing exactly where your mouth stands, not guessing.
Do you offer evening or Saturday appointments for new patients in Rexburg?
Yes, we know Rexburg schedules don’t always fit a normal 9-to-5. Between farm work, BYU-Idaho classes, and jobs around town, a lot of new patients need evening or Saturday slots. Call and tell us what works for your week, and we’ll find a time that fits. We can usually get new patients seen the same week they call.
What's the difference between a new patient exam and a missionary dental exam?
A new patient exam checks your overall dental health, while a missionary dental exam confirms you’re healthy enough to serve without dental problems while you’re gone. Rexburg sends a lot of missionaries out each year, and we see this question often. If it’s been a while since your last checkup, we can often combine both into one visit. Tell us your report date and we’ll tell you what to book.
Will I need a cone beam CT scan at my first visit?
Not every new patient needs one, but some do. If you have jaw pain, missing teeth, or a complicated dental history, we may bring in the cone beam CT scanner during your same visit. It gives a full 3D view of your mouth, jaw, and nerves, right on the screen next to your regular X-rays. You won’t need a separate referral or a second appointment for it.
Does insurance cover the new patient exam?
It depends on your plan, since coverage for exams and X-rays varies from one insurance company to the next. Before your visit, ask your insurance what portion of a new patient exam they cover. We can also help you understand your benefits when you call. Either way, you’ll see exactly what was done and why before any decisions get made.