Haven’t been to the dentist in years? Start here.

Five years. Ten. Twenty. It doesn’t matter.

Every week we meet people who’ve been putting this off for a long time. Almost all of them expected to be lectured. Almost all of them expected it to be worse than it was.

Here’s what actually happens.

Request an Appointment

First, what does NOT happen

  • No one asks why it’s been so long.
  • No one says “you should have come in sooner.”
  • No one cleans or drills anything at your first visit. (That’s true for every new patient here, not just nervous ones.)
  • No one hands you a bill you didn’t see coming.

What your first visit actually looks like

  1. You talk, we listen. Your first visit is a conversation with Dr. DeVuyst and his assistants. The chair stays upright, and nothing happens until you’re ready. Tell us what’s been going on and what you’re worried about — or write it down ahead of time if that’s easier.
  2. We take a look — when you’re ready. DeVuyst does a gentle exam and, if you’re comfortable, digital X-rays. He’ll show you what he sees on a screen and explain it in plain language. No jargon, no scare tactics.
  3. You sit down with Jenny. Same day or a different day — your choice — you’ll meet Jenny, our Patient Care Coordinator, in her office, a cozy room away from the treatment area. She’ll walk you through what needs to happen first, what can wait, what it costs, what insurance is likely to cover, and payment plans through Sunbit and CareCredit.
  4. You take the estimate home. Nothing is scheduled until you decide.

That’s it. Most people are surprised how ordinary it feels.

“But my teeth are really bad.”

We hear this at nearly every consultation, and the answer is always the same: we’ve seen it. Broken teeth, missing teeth, teeth that hurt, gums that bleed. Whatever you’re picturing when you imagine us looking in your mouth — it’s not going to shock anyone here, and it’s not going to change how we treat you.

The only thing that matters to us is that you came. Everything else is fixable.

How years of work gets done in one day

This is the part most people don’t know is possible.

Under oral conscious sedation, on a Private Friday when the office is closed to everyone else, Dr. DeVuyst can often complete in a single visit what would otherwise take months of appointments: extractions, fillings, crowns, implants, full-mouth restoration. You take a pill, you relax, and you remember very little.

For someone who has spent years dreading this, one hard day — that doesn’t even feel hard — is often what makes it possible to start.

See what a Private Friday looks like →

After the big work is done

Most of our patients who start with sedation don’t need it again. Once the urgent work is behind you and you’ve met the team, regular visits become just that — regular. You’ll have a dentist who knows your story, and a hygienist who’s glad to see you.

That’s the goal: not one heroic visit, but a dentist for life.

Frequently asked questions

Will I be in trouble for waiting so long?

No. Truly. You’re not the first person to wait years and you won’t be the last. Our job is to help, not to scold.

What will it cost?

It depends entirely on what you need, which is why the consultation comes first. You’ll leave with a written estimate and clear financing options. Sedation itself is about $350 in addition to treatment.

Do I need to do anything before the first visit?

Bring a list of any medications and your insurance information if you have it. That’s all.

What if I can’t afford everything at once?

We’ll prioritize. Some things need to happen now; others can wait. Jenny will help you build a plan that fits your budget, and monthly payment plans are available.

Will you take my insurance?

We accept most plans and file the claims for you. Call or text and we’ll check yours before your visit.

The hardest part is the first message

Whether it’s been five years or twenty-five, it starts the same way: a calm conversation. No commitment. Tell us as little or as much as you like.

Request an Appointment