Typically, your initial visit will consist of a “consultation” in order to discuss the needed treatment and to see whether you can undergo surgery safely. Just like any other surgery, i.e. heart surgery, brain surgery; a surgeon is required to consult with the patient prior to surgery to make sure if the patient can actually withstand the actual procedure. A times we have patients that question the need for a consulation prior to surgery. Honestly, this is probably the MOST IMPORTANT appointment. This will allow us to determine if we need to obtain a “medical clearance” from your regular physican prior to surgery.
Additionally, we want you to get to know Dr. Massoomi. His goal is to have a well-informed patient: “The more informed, the less anxious you will be prior to surgery”.
On rare occasions, if the patient is healthy but in pain, we may perform the consulation and surgery the same day; however this is not the norm. A complex past medical history may require Dr. Massoomi to get in touch with your primary care physician, which would prevent you from having the surgery on the same day.
In order to expedite your first visit, please assist us by providing the following information prior to your consultation:
- A referral slip from your dentist or doctor.
- “Patient information” form, that includes Dental & Medical insurance information.
- “Health history” form, that includes a list of medications you are presently taking.
Please alert the office if you have a medical condition that may be of concern prior to surgery (i.e., diabetes, high blood pressure, artificial heart valves and joints, rheumatic fever, etc.) or if you are currently taking any medication (i.e., heart medications, aspirin, anticoagulant therapy, etc.).
IMPORTANT: All patients under the age of 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the consultation visit. We cannot fulfill required consultation standards, if the child shows up for the consulations without a responsible adult. A second consulation may be required later, with the presence of a responsible adult.
With your safety in mind, we require that any patients undergoing IV sedation to undergo a preoperative consultation and physical examination. For IV sedation patients: Please have nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to your surgery. On some special occasions we may be able to drink clear liquids all the way up to 3 hours prior to surgery BUT please discuss this with Dr. Massoomi. Please remember: You will also need a responsible adult to drive you home.
X-RAYS
If your dentist or physician has taken x-rays, you will need to request that they forward them to our office. Due to HIPAA privacy requirements, we are not allowed to request any information on your behalf from the referring doctor. If there is not enough time, please pick them up and bring them to our office. Thankfully with the advent of technology and digital imaging many dentists can now email us the images! Please help us save our planet by saving our trees! If additional films are necessary, they can be taken at our facility, using the latest digital imaging equipment.
