Nobody loves the idea of starting over with a new dentist.
There’s paperwork to redo, a new person looking in your mouth, and the nagging worry that you’ll be told everything your last dentist did was wrong.
None of that has to be true. If you’re switching to a new dentist in Encino, whether you moved, outgrew your old one, or just want a second set of eyes on a treatment plan, here’s what the switch actually involves.
Your First Visit Isn’t a Test You Can Fail
A first appointment is mostly information gathering. Expect a conversation about your dental history, a look at your current X-rays or new ones if needed, and an honest read on where things stand. Nobody’s grading your flossing habits.
Dr. Alan Howard and Dr. Yonatan Howard start every new patient relationship the same way: understanding your mouth before recommending anything, not reciting a script.
Getting Your Old Records Over
Most dental offices are used to transferring records and will send X-rays and treatment history once you request it. It’s a normal, routine request that offices handle regularly, so there’s no need to feel awkward about asking your previous dentist for your file.
If a full record transfer takes time, that’s fine. We can still take new X-rays and get a current picture of your mouth in the meantime.
When a Second Opinion Is Worth Getting
Sometimes switching isn’t about leaving a dentist behind, it’s about double-checking a specific recommendation. If another dentist has proposed a treatment plan you’re unsure about, that’s exactly what a second opinion is for.
We’ll look at the same information and tell you plainly whether we agree with the recommendation, and why. The goal is giving you enough clarity to make the decision yourself, not talking you into anything.
What We Do With a Plan From Somewhere Else
If you come in with an existing treatment plan, we’re not starting from zero. Dr. Howard or Dr. Howard will review what’s been proposed, explain the reasoning behind it, and let you know if there’s a different approach worth considering.
Sometimes that confirms the original plan was right. Sometimes it opens up an option you weren’t told about. Either way, you leave with more information than you walked in with.
Switching to a New Dentist in Encino You Actually Stick With
The best outcome of switching dentists is that you stop thinking about switching again. Dr. Alan Howard and Dr. Yonatan Howard have treated Encino families since 1991, along with neighbors in Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, Van Nuys, and Woodland Hills, and new patients are always welcome.
Call The Dental Office Encino at 818-300-0333 or schedule your visit at 17071 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 102, Encino, CA 91316. We’re open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 5pm and Friday from 8am to 2pm.
