Welcome to Bonin Dental Care
Our goal for every new patient is a calm, unhurried first visit. Here's what you can expect and the resources you may need.
Quick Resources
Everything you need in one place
New Patient Info
A quick orientation to what to expect at your first visit: how long it takes, what we'll do, and what to bring.
Learn moreFinancial & Insurance
We file claims to your insurance as a courtesy and verify your benefits before your visit. Patient financing options and transparent self-pay pricing available.
Learn moreYour First Visit
What to expect
Your first visit with Bonin Dental Care usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes. We will review your dental and medical history, take digital X-rays, perform a comprehensive exam and oral cancer screening, and sit down with you to walk through any findings and next steps. There is never pressure to proceed with treatment the same day; our job is to give you the full picture.
What to bring
- A photo ID and your insurance card (if applicable)
- A list of medications and known allergies
- Any recent X-rays or dental records from a previous provider
- Questions; we'll make time for every one of them
Inside the Exam
What actually happens during your visit
Your first visit is thorough by design. When we walk you to the treatment room, we start with a conversation about why you are here, what you like and dislike about past dental experiences, and any specific concerns you want addressed. That conversation shapes the rest of the appointment. Some patients arrive with a clear problem to solve and want us to focus on that first. Others are coming in for a general check-up after a long absence and want a complete picture. Either way, we meet you where you are.
From there, we take a series of digital X-rays sized to your clinical needs. For new patients, that typically includes a full-mouth set or a panoramic image plus bitewings. Our digital sensors use significantly less radiation than traditional film. If you have recent X-rays from a previous dentist, send them ahead and we may not need to retake them.
Dr. Bonin performs a comprehensive oral exam that goes beyond a quick cavity check. He evaluates each tooth for decay, cracks, and wear patterns, reviews the condition of existing restorations, assesses your bite and how your teeth come together, checks for signs of grinding or clenching, examines the gums and periodontal pockets, screens the soft tissues (tongue, cheeks, palate, and throat) for oral cancer, and palpates the lymph nodes in your neck and the joints of your jaw. That is a lot of ground to cover, which is why these appointments are not rushed.
Our hygienist then typically performs a professional cleaning, removing plaque and tartar buildup and polishing the teeth. If your gum health indicates more extensive treatment is needed (scaling and root planing, for example), we will discuss that as a separate appointment rather than rushing it into the same visit.
Before you leave, we sit down with you and walk through the findings together. If you need treatment, we show you the X-rays or intraoral photos on a monitor so you can see what we see. We explain options when they exist, costs in writing, and a suggested sequence of care. Nothing is decided under pressure. Many patients go home, think it over, and schedule follow-up treatment a few days or weeks later.
After the Exam
Your treatment plan, in writing
If treatment is recommended, you leave with a printed or emailed plan showing each procedure, the clinical reason for it, the suggested timing, and a written estimate of your financial responsibility. For patients with insurance, we verify benefits ahead of time so the estimate reflects your actual out-of-pocket cost, not a generic fee quote. For self-pay patients, we build phases that match your priorities and budget.
Our front office coordinates scheduling around your work and family commitments. We offer early morning appointments for patients who need to get in before work, midday appointments for retirees, and after-school options for families. If you have complex coordination (a multi-phase implant case that needs to sync with an oral surgeon, for example), we manage the calendar so you do not have to.
After any significant procedure, we follow up. That might mean a same-evening check-in call after a difficult extraction, a post-op appointment a week later to confirm healing on a crown prep, or a simple text to see how you are feeling. Communication does not end when you walk out the door.
Comfort & Accessibility
For nervous patients and everyone else
If dental anxiety is part of your story, tell us. It will not change how we see you, and it will change how we plan your visit. We offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for patients who want mild, quick-acting relaxation with no hangover, and oral conscious sedation for longer appointments or patients with deeper fear. A noise-reducing headset, a warm blanket, and a trusted hand signal to pause at any time are available in every room and for every patient, not just the anxious ones.
Our office is on one level with accessible parking directly in front of the building at 100 Windsor River Road. Entry is step-free and our treatment rooms accommodate wheelchairs and mobility devices. If you have specific accessibility needs or questions, call ahead at (707) 838-1400 and we will make sure your visit is planned accordingly.
Emergency & After-Hours
What to do if something hurts
If you have a dental emergency during business hours, call our office at (707) 838-1400. We reserve time in each day's schedule for urgent same-day appointments. Broken teeth, knocked-out teeth, abscesses, severe pain, lost crowns, and post-op concerns all qualify as situations we want to see quickly. For serious bleeding, facial swelling that is spreading or affecting breathing, or trauma to the face and jaw, go to the nearest emergency room first.
For after-hours emergencies, our outgoing voicemail includes a clinical callback number so you can reach the on-call provider. Most after-hours calls can be triaged over the phone, with same-day or next-morning in-office follow-up scheduled as needed.