Your First Visit

At Authentic Dental Designs you will always be treated by a caring team of professionals who have your specific goals in mind. From the moment you walk through our doors, you will be welcomed by our friendly staff who will guide you through the registration process. Our expert team will work together to provide you with a customized treatment plan that is catered to your specific concerns and goals, a thorough cleaning to help optimize your oral health, and a discussion regarding available financial options so that any treatment needed fits into your budget.

It is our goal to make you feel comfortable and relaxed during each of your visits to our office. Whether it is your first visit or you’ve been a patient with us for 20 years, we are here for you!

In order to maximize your time with us, it is helpful to have your paperwork filled out ahead of time. Otherwise, arriving 15 minutes prior to your appointment should allow enough time to accomplish this task.

  1. First we will need you to fill out a few short forms.
  2. Download and Print our New Patient Form and fill it out in the convenience of your own home or office.
  3. We will need a copy of your insurance card, if you have one.
  4. If you are taking any medications regularly, please bring a list with you.
  5. If you have recent X-rays from another office, we can request their transfer or you are welcome to bring them with you.

Whether you are in need of extensive restorative treatment or are simply looking for a routine oral exam and cleaning, it is important to us to understand your specific dental goals from the beginning.

Before your cleaning, you will have a conversation with Dr. Toland so that she can get to know you, listen to any concerns you may have, and learn about your dental goals for the immediate and long-term future. By having this conversation first, we are able to address your more immediate concerns without presenting you with overwhelming and unnecessary treatment options. Your customized treatment plan will be developed with all of your specific concerns and goals in mind, and can be adjusted as needed should something change.

At Authentic Dental Designs, your trust and understanding is extremely important to us, and therefore, we make sure to allot plenty of time to discuss your initial concerns, develop a customized treatment plan, and fully explain all of your options to you. Usually your first visit will be about 2 hours to ensure you do not feel rushed and so that we can accomplish all of the above in detail. We know your time with us is valuable, so you can expect to be seen on time.

Your visits to the dentist aren’t just about cleaning your teeth and gums. Your oral health offers insights into your overall health. Dr. Toland will discuss your health history and any current medications to establish a clear understanding of your dental needs. After your history is established, she will perform a thorough comprehensive exam, evaluating your X-rays, photos, and clinical findings. She will discuss her findings with you, using pictures and visual tools to help you see what she sees, and she will explain any treatment recommendations in detail with you.

Under most circumstances, we will be able to provide you with a preventative cleaning during your initial visit. One of our experienced and knowledgeable hygienists will perform an evaluation of your gums to determine if there are any areas of inflammation. She will then gently clean above the gumline to remove build-up and debris. She will polish your teeth afterwards to ensure a sparkling smile when you are done.

If our hygienist’s findings indicate the presence of periodontal disease, there may be a need to return for further periodontal therapy, however, this will be discussed with you during your visit with us.

Learn more about periodontal disease

Once Dr. Toland has reviewed her findings with you, discussed all of your treatment options, and addressed any questions or concerns you may have, you will meet with one of our knowledgeable Treatment Coordinators to discuss how to work your treatment into your budget and timeline. We work with all PPO insurance plans, and offer other affordable payment options if you do not have dental insurance. If you want to start dental work the same day, we are able and pleased to accommodate that in most cases. Otherwise, we can reserve a convenient time for another day. We aim to be as flexible as possible so that your ability to maintain optimal oral health is not a burden on your wallet or your lifestyle.

Learn more about insurance and payment options

More Questions?

Our La Mesa Dental Team is ready to answer any questions you may have. Call us today!

How to Find Us

8029 La Mesa Blvd(619) 460-9100drmeghantoland@gmail.com

Opening Hours

Monday8am - 5pm
Tuesday7am - 4pm
Wednesday10am - 6pm
Thursday8am -5pm
FridayBy appointment