What to Expect at Your Initial Appointment

Your first appointment is designed to be thorough, personalised, and supportive, delivered in the comfort of your own home.

The initial visit typically includes:

• A detailed dental examination

• Scale and polish (based on individual need)

• Application of a remineralising agent (if indicated)

• Personalised oral hygiene instruction and dietary guidance

• Myofunctional and orthodontic screening

• Airway assessment and tongue-tie screening

• Sleep screening

We will also take the time to discuss your symptoms (if any), medical and functional history, lifestyle factors, and any specific concerns or questions you may have.

• Photographic Assessment (With Consent) With your permission, we may take photos of your mouth to assess jaw structure, oral rest posture, tongue mobility, bite, and dental crowding. These images often reveal signs of dysfunction or airway-related issues that may not be immediately noticeable. If needed, we may recommend further evaluation or treatment with one of our trusted providers.

• Comfort-Focused Care Appointments begin with a brief discussion to confirm your goals and any concerns. The rest of the session is focused on your care and comfort. If there are any sensitive matters you'd prefer to discuss privately, you are welcome to contact me before your appointment.

• After the Appointment After the appointment, we’ll discuss what we observed during your dental examination and talk through any next steps, if needed. A full report, including any photographs taken, will be emailed to you within 7 days to give you time to reflect on what was discussed. If you'd like to go over anything further, we're happy to arrange a follow-up phone call (please note phone call consultations are not covered by Medicare).

• Before Your Appointment To help make the most of our time together, please gather any relevant medical or dental records, radiographs, reports, or other materials you would like reviewed. You're also encouraged to prepare a list of questions—my aim is to ensure all your concerns are addressed, and that you feel confident and well-informed.

My goal is to deliver high-quality dental hygiene care with compassion, clarity, and convenience—empowering you to take charge of your oral health with understanding and confidence.

What We Can’t Do

To ensure safe, effective, and high-quality care, there are some limitations to what can be provided during your in-home appointment. These include:

• Assessment Limitations: As a mobile provider, I can only evaluate and provide care based on what is visually observable. Without access to radiographs or previous dental records, I cannot assess areas between the teeth or under bony structures. Rest assured, I will provide you with the best care possible.

• Radiographs (Dental X-rays): X-rays cannot be taken in a home setting. If radiographs are necessary for diagnosis or further investigation, I can refer you to a local clinic or offer the option to attend your own preferred dental provider.

• Dental Treatment Outside the Listed Services: Only the services listed on the current treatment menu are available during home visits. Complex dental procedures, restorations, or treatments outside of my scope of practice as a dental hygienist are not provided.

• Adding Additional Family Members on the Day: To ensure each person receives appropriate time and attention, all appointments must be booked in advance. Unfortunately, I am unable to accommodate unplanned additional family members during your scheduled visit.

Preparing for Your Appointment

To help make your appointment as smooth and comfortable as possible, here are a few things to keep in mind before my arrival:

• Parking and Access Please ensure there is a convenient parking spot available with easy access to your front door.

• Pets Are Welcome Friendly pets are more than welcome to come say hello and have a sniff — I love meeting your furry family members!

• Space Requirements There’s no need to do any extra housework before I arrive. However, I will need a well-lit, open space to conduct the examination, ideally a room where your child or you feel relaxed and comfortable.

  Most children like to lie on the floor or a comfy mat during the appointment. Adults often prefer to sit in their favourite lounge chair or sitting space. Suitable spaces might include a playroom, rumpus room, lounge, or even your backyard. The space should allow for enough room for me to bring my toys, props, and instruments, and for us to interact comfortably..

• Talking with Your Child About the Appointment When preparing your child for my visit, please avoid using words like “hurt,” “needle,” “sharp,” or anything negative. Also, try not to use the visit as a threat to encourage better tooth brushing (for example, “you better brush your teeth, the dentist is coming tomorrow!”).

  It’s best to keep the conversation casual. One or two days before the visit, simply mention in passing, “Natalie will be coming on Tuesday to count your teeth and play some games with us!” If your child asks for more details, it’s perfectly fine to say, “I don’t know” or “I’m not sure.”

  Showing your child my photo beforehand helps them know what to expect when I arrive. You can then follow up with, “Let’s ask Natalie when she gets here.”

• Anxiety and Extra Support If there is any anxiety about the visit, please let me know in advance. I’m happy to suggest extra preparation options to help ease any worries, including sending over visual boards or videos to familiarise you with what to expect.

Dental Hygiene to You is largely referral-based, so if you’re happy with my care, I’d be grateful if you could share your experience with friends or family who might be looking for a trusted dental hygiene practitioner.