Feeling uneasy before a first dentist appointment at a new practice is completely understandable, especially if it has been a while. You do not need any dental terms: just tell us what is wrong, and you decide on every step.
Your first dentist appointment, step by step
- Booking. Call us on +389 78 218 457 or +389 77 851 086, or use our booking form, leaving out health details (we discuss those at the practice). A request becomes an appointment only once we confirm it.
- Arriving. Come a few minutes early if you can. We take your details and ask about your general health: medical conditions such as diabetes, medicines, allergies and possible pregnancy.
- Talking it through. Tell us what is bothering you, what you would like to change and how past dental visits went. If you feel nervous, say so now.
- The examination. We examine your teeth, existing fillings and crowns (caps), bite and soft tissues such as the tongue and cheeks. We also check your gums for bleeding and deeper pockets around the teeth, a sign of gum disease.
- An X-ray, only if needed. An X-ray is taken only if the dentist thinks it will show something the naked eye cannot see, and we explain why first.
- Findings and a plan. We explain what we see, your options and what could happen if you wait. Before treatment starts, you receive a written plan with the price. The decision is yours, so take your time.
If you have toothache, mention it when you book. We deal with the pain first; the full examination and plan can follow later.
Do not wait for an appointment if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling around your eye or in your neck, or swelling with a high temperature and severe pain. In North Macedonia, call 194 (ambulance) or the European emergency number 112, or go to hospital straight away.
What to bring to your first dentist appointment
These help us understand your health sooner:
- Your ID card or passport.
- Your health insurance document, if you are insured with the Health Insurance Fund (FZO) and would like Dr Kiril Milanovski as your chosen dentist (izbran stomatolog) under the Fund.
- A list of your medicines, with doses. Blood thinners and medicines for osteoporosis or other bone conditions are especially important. Do not stop or change them yourself without your doctor’s advice.
- Any previous dental X-rays, which help us follow changes over time.
- Medical reports on significant health conditions or allergies, if any.
- Your questions, written down so that nothing slips your mind.
Please also tell us if you are pregnant, have an artificial heart valve or have had infective endocarditis (an infection of the heart’s inner lining), or have ever reacted badly to an anaesthetic. This rarely means postponing the examination; the dentist will decide with you whether extra precautions are needed.
Scared of the dentist? You are not alone
Dental anxiety is common and nothing to be ashamed of. It may stem from a bad childhood experience, the sound of the instruments or a sense of losing control. Whatever the reason, tell us when you book.
We cannot promise you will feel nothing, but we can work at your pace. Many people find these helpful:
- A stop signal. We agree a signal, such as a raised hand; when you use it, we stop as soon as it is safe.
- Each step explained first. We tell you what comes next before we do it. Ask anything you like.
- A talk and an examination first. If you prefer, your first visit can be just that, with treatment booked for another day.
- Calm breathing. Breathe in slowly and out even more slowly, counting in your head.
- Music. If the sound of the instruments bothers you, bring headphones to listen to music.
- Talking about pain. If pain or the injection worries you, say so before we start. Local anaesthetic is used for procedures that may be uncomfortable. If you still feel pain, tell us straight away.
Not been to the dentist for years?
Whether it has been two years or twenty, there is no need to feel embarrassed, and nobody will judge you. We start from where things are now and plan the next steps together: first what cannot wait, then the rest, at your pace.
Early tooth decay and gum disease often do not hurt, so a check-up makes sense even when you feel fine. How often you come back depends on your risk: for adults, anything from 3 months to 2 years, as the dentist advises.
Read more about regular check-ups and teeth cleaning.
Finding us and accessibility
The practice is at Bul. Jane Sandanski 96 in the Aerodrom district of Skopje, near the Biser shopping centre and opposite the Mining Institute. We are open Monday to Friday, 11:00–19:00, by appointment only, and closed at weekends. Our Contact page has a map and directions.
According to our Google profile, the seating and toilet are wheelchair accessible. If you have limited mobility, let us know when you book so we can plan your visit.
We close for annual leave in the summer and announce the dates on Facebook and Instagram. During our leave, patients with toothache or another urgent problem are referred to the dentist who covers for us (our registered substitute).
First visit: your questions answered
What should I expect at my first dentist appointment?
After a talk about your health and concerns, we examine your teeth and gums; an X-ray is taken only if needed. We then explain our findings and your options, with a written plan for any treatment we suggest.
How long does a first dentist appointment take?
It depends on why you are coming and on your questions, so allow plenty of time. If you also have a scale and polish (teeth cleaning), that alone usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, longer with heavy build-up.
What should I bring to my first dentist appointment?
Your ID card, a list of your medicines, and any previous dental X-rays and medical reports. If you are insured with the Fund, bring your health insurance document too.
What if I’m scared of the dentist?
Tell us when you book. We will agree a stop signal, explain each step first and work at your pace. If you prefer, your first visit can be just a conversation and an examination.
Will treatment start at my first appointment?
Not necessarily. If you are in pain, we first try to relieve it. Otherwise, you usually get the plan first and decide when to start. A small procedure such as a scale and polish is sometimes possible at the first visit, if there is time and you agree.
Will I need an X-ray?
Not always: only when the dentist judges it will add useful information, for example about decay between teeth. The radiation dose from dental X-rays is very low.
How much does a first visit cost?
It depends on what you need: an examination alone, or an X-ray or cleaning too. Your written plan shows the price of any proposed treatment in advance; our Prices page explains how prices are set. Insured with the Fund? Ask us what it covers.
Is it safe to see the dentist while pregnant?
Yes. The American Dental Association says dental care, including local anaesthetic and any X-rays you need, is safe at any stage of pregnancy. Gums become inflamed more easily during pregnancy, so the European Federation of Periodontology advises an early check-up. See Dental care in pregnancy.
If you cannot make your appointment, please tell us in good time so another patient can have it. When you are ready, book an appointment or call us on +389 78 218 457.