Your First Dental Appointment | Dr. Pamela Ottesen

More Listening, Less Rushing

Choosing a dental home is a big step for your family, and we want your first visit to feel entirely different from the rushed, impersonal appointments you might have experienced elsewhere. When you walk through our doors, you are entering a relaxed, friendly space where we prioritize getting to know you as a person.

Our team looks at oral health on a whole-body level to find real, long-term solutions for your well-being, but we always move at your preferred pace. You will never be hurried through your options or left with unanswered questions. Instead, you will find Dr. Ottesen and a steady, attentive team that takes the time to listen to your voice and build a personal relationship based on absolute trust.

Your Visit, Step by Step

To ensure we understand your health completely, we reserve a full two hours for your initial discovery visit. This extended time allows us to look deeply at how your oral health connects to your overall wellness, sleep quality, and daily energy.

A Relaxing Onboarding Discussion

We begin your visit by reviewing your health history and lifestyle goals together so we can understand the complete picture of your wellness. If you are walking into our office with high levels of dental anxiety, we intentionally adapt this step, meeting you inside a private, quiet consultation room first where you can settle in with a cozy, warm blanket. This gives us a comfortable, pressure-free space to simply talk and ensure you feel completely at ease before any clinical instruments are brought out.

Advanced 3D Joint and Muscle Check

Next, we evaluate your jaw and muscle function to understand any hidden strain. We use an advanced 3D imaging machine to capture structural joint details, paired with a specialized acoustic sound amplifier. This allows you to listen to your own jaw joint movement with us, validating what you have been experiencing.

Precise Handheld Wellness Scan

We completely avoid uncomfortable, messy traditional impressions by using a gentle, handheld digital scanner. This digital wand captures precise 3D impressions of your teeth in real time, creating a permanent visual record. This allows our team to carefully track structural tooth wear, changes, and alignment shifts year after year.

AI-Guided Visual Review

We pair our low-radiation X-rays with diagnostic AI software that color-codes your dental scans. By highlighting potential areas of concern in clear pink and yellow, this technology ensures you see exactly what our team sees, giving you total transparency and confidence in your care.

Meet Dr. Pamela Ottesen

Preparing for An Easy Arrival

To help us protect your time and keep your onboarding experience seamless, please have the following items ready for your visit:

A list of any current medications, supplements, or specific medical conditions we are coordinating around during your health examination.

Any recent dental records or imaging sent over directly from a previous provider, though we will still capture updated diagnostic scans during your time with us.

Your primary health goals and questions, as Rebecca and Tena will use these details to help build your customized health file.

Attentive Support for Dental Anxiety

If you have avoided dental care for years due to a deep phobia, you will find a zero-judgment space here. We recognize that dental anxiety is a significant barrier for many families, and our entire team is highly trained to support your emotional well-being. In fact, Kate, one of our dedicated dental assistants, holds an undergraduate degree in psychology. Her background ensures a uniquely gentle, highly sensitive approach to your care, helping you feel completely understood from the moment you settle in.

You can also settle into our treatment chairs with cozy, warm blankets and supportive neck pillows designed to ease muscle tension. For patients who need extra help feeling at ease, we provide gentle sedation options, including calming nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas, or prescribed medication prior to your appointment, letting you get the care you need without fear.

Real Experiences From Our Patients

A Warm Welcome Awaits