New Patient Exam
At Willow Dental Group, we welcome our new patients to our Fresno dental office .
Willow Dental Group, Fresno · Last reviewed July 2026
At Willow Dental Group, we welcome our new patients to our Fresno dental office. Our friendly staff is dedicated to caring for you and your entire family’s oral health and well-being. Our dentist provides a comprehensive new patient exam and consultation to assess your dental health and create a customized treatment plan for you. To understand what to expect from your first visit to our practice, please read through this page. You’ll find all the practical information you need. For more detail, contact us at 559-434-1088.
Dental Exam
A clinical exam is more commonly referred to as a routine check up. A new patient exam lets your dentist essentially take inventory of the overall health of your mouth and teeth and diagnose any potential problems you may have.
A. The first thing your dentist will check during the exam is your face and neck. Checking visually, your dentist will look for any abnormalities, such as lumps, bumps or swelling.
B. Checking inside your mouth is next on the agenda. During this part of the check up your dentist will be looking for any abnormalities in the soft tissue, such as discolorations or ulcers on your lips, gums, tongue, palate and cheeks. Your dentist will also perform an oral cancer screening and will check your bite and your jaw joint for any problems.
C. Next your dentist will check your gums and jawbone, as they are the foundation for your teeth. Your dentist will check them for any signs of gingivitis, gum disease and bone disease.
D. Checking your teeth comes next. Your dentist will be checking them for cavities and other problems. Finally, your dentist will be sure to look specifically at any areas where you may have symptoms or concerns.
X-rays
In most cases a clinical exam by itself is not sufficient to completely diagnose all potential problems with your mouth. In fact, the majority of problems with your teeth and the jawbone are not visible to the naked eye. That is why x-rays play a key role in allowing a better, and more accurate look at what is really going on inside your mouth and below your teeth and gums. By using x-rays your dentist can check for any bone loss and determine the severity of the gum disease.
In addition to revealing any problems that were not visible during the clinical exam these initial x-rays will also provide your dentist with a benchmark with which to compare against during your future visits.
Why choose New Patient Exam at Willow Dental Group
Thorough first visit
A complete exam and review of your dental health.
Personalized plan
A treatment plan built around your needs and goals.
Meet your team
Get to know the dentist and staff caring for you.
A healthy starting point
Establish a baseline for lifelong oral health.
New Patient Exam FAQs
What happens at a new patient exam?
Your first visit typically includes a thorough exam, any needed X-rays, a review of your dental and medical history, and a discussion of your goals. From there we build a personalized treatment plan.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please bring a photo ID, your insurance information if you have it, a list of any medications, and details of any dental concerns you would like addressed.
Will I get a cleaning at my first visit?
In many cases yes, though if we find gum disease or other concerns we may recommend a specific type of cleaning first. Your dentist will explain what is best for you.
How do I schedule a new patient exam?
Call our Fresno office at 559-434-1088 or book online, and our team will help you find a convenient time.
New Patient Exam in Fresno, CA
Willow Dental Group provides new patient exam for patients across Fresno, Clovis and the Central Valley. Schedule your visit at our Fresno dental office — new patients are always welcome.