The two things that make the most difference to a first appointment are a complete medication list and any previous radiographs. Both are easy to forget and both change what can be done on the day.
This checklist applies whether you are coming from Nasr City or from abroad, with a few extra items for travelling patients at the end.
Bring these
A complete medication list
Every prescription medicine, with doses. Also include anything you might not think of as medication: over-the-counter painkillers you take regularly, supplements, herbal remedies, and anything for a condition you consider unrelated.
This matters more than patients expect. Many medicines cause dry mouth, which raises decay risk sharply. Some affect the gums. Blood thinners change how extractions are managed. Certain bone medications substantially change the risk assessment for oral surgery, and must be disclosed before any extraction or implant planning. Photographing your prescriptions or the boxes is the easiest way to do this accurately.
Your medical history
Diagnosed conditions, past surgery, allergies — particularly to medications or latex — and any advice from a doctor about dental treatment, such as whether you need antibiotic cover. If you have had radiotherapy to the head or neck, or are due to, say so specifically.
Tell us if you are pregnant or think you may be.
Previous radiographs and records
Ask your previous dentist for copies — you are entitled to them. Older images are still useful, because comparison over time is what distinguishes an old problem from an active one. If you have had a CBCT scan, bring the file.
Also bring any written treatment plan or quotation you have been given elsewhere, if you want a second opinion on it.
Any appliance you wear
Dentures, night guard, retainers, sports mouthguard — bring them even if you are not wearing them that day, and even if you have stopped using them.
Your toothbrush and toothpaste
Particularly for children, and for anyone who wants their technique checked. It takes two minutes and it is one of the few pieces of advice that reliably changes outcomes.
Your questions, written down
People forget them in the chair, every time. Write them on your phone.
Things worth mentioning, even if they seem trivial
- A tooth you have stopped chewing on. People avoid a tooth for months without reporting it because it only hurts sometimes.
- An ulcer or patch that has not healed in two weeks.
- Any lump in the mouth or neck.
- Jaw clicking, locking, or waking with a sore jaw or headaches.
- Grinding or clenching, or a partner reporting grinding at night.
- Dry mouth.
- Bad breath or a persistent bad taste.
- Snoring, or breathing through your mouth at night.
- Gums that bleed when you brush.
- Any change in how your teeth meet.
- Dental anxiety — say so when you book, not in the chair. The appointment can be structured differently.
Describing what you want
Describe the result, not the treatment. “I do not like how much gum shows when I smile” is far more useful than “I want veneers”, because it lets the clinician work out what would actually achieve it — which may be something entirely different, and often something smaller.
If your concern is cosmetic, bring photographs of results you like and dislike. They communicate expectations better than words, and they allow an honest conversation about what is and is not achievable on your teeth and in your face.
What happens at a first appointment
An examination of the teeth, gums and soft tissue, a periodontal assessment, radiographs where indicated, and a discussion of what was found and what the options are. Treatment is usually booked separately unless something is urgent — see what a dental check-up includes.
You should leave knowing what was found, what needs doing, what can be monitored, and when to come back.
If you are travelling from abroad
In addition to everything above:
- Send your records in advance rather than bringing them cold — see getting an opinion before you travel.
- Bring your return date and be clear about it at the start, so the plan is built around what is actually possible.
- Bring a note of your dentist at home, with contact details, if there is any prospect of shared care.
- Bring enough of your regular medication for longer than you plan to stay.
- Bring translations of any medical documents if they are in a language you are not certain will be readable.
- Ask how the consultation will be conducted if language is a concern. Understanding what is planned is not optional.
Frequently asked questions
I have not been to a dentist in years.
Far more common than you think, and not something dental teams are surprised by. The first visit is an examination and a conversation, not immediate treatment.
Do I need to bring anything if I am only having a check-up?
The medication list and any previous radiographs. Those two are the ones that matter.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. It helps to have a second person hearing the discussion.
Will I have treatment on the first visit?
Usually not, unless something is urgent. The first visit establishes what is needed.
What if I forget something?
Send it afterwards, or bring it next time. A medication list can also be photographed and sent before you arrive.
Book your first appointment
Come with your list and your questions. See our general dentistry page, or book an appointment.
To arrange a consultation at our clinic on Abbas El-Akkad in Nasr City, call +20 101 969 7597 or message us on WhatsApp.
