Your first dental appointment shouldn't feel scary or overwhelming. At Dental Sedation Ottawa, we've designed our new patient process to put you at ease from the moment you contact us until you leave feeling confident about your dental care. Whether you're arriving with years of dental anxiety or simply looking for a practice that prioritizes comfort, here's exactly what happens during your first visit.
The hardest part for many anxious patients is picking up the phone. Our administrative team understands this completely. When you call (613) 482-0501, you'll speak with someone trained specifically to work with nervous patients. There's no pressure, no judgment—just a calm, supportive conversation about your needs.
During this initial call, we'll discuss:
If you prefer, you can also request an appointment online or email us at info@dentalsedationottawa.com .
To save time and reduce stress on appointment day, we'll send you new patient forms to complete at home. These include:
Take your time filling these out. The more information you provide about your medical history, previous dental experiences, and anxiety triggers, the better we can customize your care.
Can't complete the forms beforehand? That's okay—arrive 15 minutes early and we'll help you complete them at the clinic.
If you're considering IV sedation or general anesthesia for future treatment, we will schedule a separate pre-operative consultation before your first dental exam. This allows our anesthesiologists to review your medical history, discuss sedation options, answer questions, and ensure you're a safe candidate for deeper sedation.
This consultation can often happen the same day as your initial exam, or we can schedule it separately if you prefer.
Ready to learn more? Schedule a consultation today.
We're located at 551 Montréal Rd Unit C, Ottawa, ON K1K 0V1. Our clinic is easy to find with clear signage, and there's free parking directly in front of the building. If you're taking public transit, OC Transpo Route 12 stops right at Montreal Rd / Carsons—just a short walk to our door.
The entire facility is wheelchair accessible with barrier-free entry and spacious treatment rooms.
When you walk through our doors, you'll immediately notice this isn't a typical dental office. Our reception area is designed to feel calm and welcoming, not clinical or sterile. Comfortable seating, natural light, and a friendly greeting from our front desk team set the tone for your entire visit.
We run on time. Unlike many dental practices where you sit nervously in the waiting room for 30-45 minutes past your appointment time, we respect your schedule and your emotions. If there's ever an unexpected delay, we'll communicate immediately and offer to reschedule if you prefer.
Our reception team will:
Waiting time is typically 5 minutes or less before your dental team comes to get you.
Ready to take the next step? Our team is here for you.
Dr. Anatolij Koniouchine personally meets every new patient. This isn't a rushed introduction—he sits down with you (not hovering over you in the dental chair) to have a real conversation about:
This conversation typically takes 15-20 minutes. Dr. Koniouchine is fluent in English, French, Ukrainian, and Russian, and we have team members who speak Arabic as well.
If you're feeling too anxious to proceed with the examination, that's completely okay. We can pause, take a tour of the facility, meet the team, discuss sedation options for a future visit, and simply let you get comfortable with the environment. The examination can happen at your second appointment—possibly under mild sedation if that helps.
We will never force treatment or make you feel pressured. Your comfort and consent come first, always.
Once you're ready, your comprehensive examination includes:
Low-radiation digital X-rays processed instantly so Dr. Koniouchine can show you exactly what he sees. These are essential for detecting cavities, bone loss, infections, and other issues not visible during the visual exam.
If dental X-rays trigger anxiety (the gagging sensation, claustrophobia, etc.), tell us. We have techniques and positioning options that help, and for future treatment under sedation, X-rays can be taken while you're comfortably asleep.
Dr. Koniouchine carefully examines:
Throughout the exam, he explains what he's checking and why. You're never left wondering what's happening.
A quick, painless screening for abnormal tissues that could indicate early-stage oral cancer. Early detection saves lives, and this takes less than two minutes.
Measuring gum pocket depths to check for periodontal disease. This tells us if you need just a regular cleaning or more extensive gum treatment.
Sometimes photos help with treatment planning, insurance documentation, or simply showing you what we see. We'll always ask permission first.
Time Required: The complete examination typically takes 30-45 minutes, longer if you have complex dental needs or want detailed explanations of everything we're finding.
Ready to learn more? Schedule a consultation to discuss your options.
After your examination, Dr. Koniouchine sits down with you again to explain his findings. He uses the digital X-rays displayed on a large screen, models, diagrams—whatever helps you understand what's happening in your mouth.
You'll receive honest, clear answers about:
We believe informed patients make better decisions. If you don't understand something, ask questions until you do. There's no such thing as a "stupid question" here.
Before you leave, you'll receive a comprehensive written treatment plan that includes:
The price we quote is the price you pay. If something unexpected comes up during treatment (which is rare), we discuss it with you before proceeding whenever possible.
If you need multiple procedures, Dr. Koniouchine helps you prioritize based on:
For patients with extensive treatment needs, we often recommend completing everything in one or two appointments under IV sedation or general anesthesia. This approach means:
Have questions? We'd love to hear from you.
If treatment is needed, we'll discuss which sedation option makes the most sense for you:
Mild relaxation for short procedures. You remain fully aware and can drive yourself home. Learn more
Prescribed medication taken before your appointment creates drowsiness. Great for moderate anxiety. You'll need someone to drive you. Learn more
Deeper sedation with reduced awareness and minimal memory of treatment. Ideal for multiple procedures or high anxiety. Continuous monitoring throughout. Learn more
Complete sleep with zero awareness, administered by board-certified medical anesthesiologists (Dr. Hesham Talab, MD MSc PhD FRCPC FASE and Dr. Asad Mirghassemi, MD MSc FRCPC). Best for severe anxiety, complex surgery, extensive treatment, or medical conditions requiring anesthesiologist oversight. Learn more
The choice is always yours. We make recommendations based on your anxiety level, medical history, and treatment complexity, but you decide what feels right.
If you're ready to proceed with treatment, our scheduling coordinator works with you to find appointment times that fit your life. For sedation appointments, we typically need:
Many patients need time to think about treatment plans, discuss with family, or review finances. That's completely normal and expected. Take the treatment plan home, ask questions by phone or email, and schedule when you're ready.
Your written treatment plan remains valid for 12 months. Dental conditions can change over time, so if you wait longer than a year, we may need to update X-rays and reassess before proceeding.
For major treatments, we can submit pre-authorization requests to your insurance company before scheduling. This confirms exactly what they'll cover so there are no surprises. This process typically takes 2-4 weeks.
It's common to think of questions after your appointment. Feel free to:
We want you to feel completely confident before proceeding with any treatment.
If treatment costs are a concern, schedule a financial consultation with our administrative team. We can discuss:
If you develop pain, swelling, or other urgent dental problems before your scheduled treatment, call us immediately. We provide emergency dental care for our patients and can often see you the same day.
After-hours emergencies: Call (613) 482-0501 and follow the prompts for our 24/7 emergency line.
New patients consistently rate their first visit 5 stars for our welcoming, judgment-free care. Read verified patient experiences on Google.
View All Reviews on GoogleWhat Sets Your First Visit Apart
Dentist Referrals Welcome: General dentists throughout Ottawa refer their anxious patients to us for first-time consultations and sedation treatment planning. Learn about our referral process
We welcome first-time patients from throughout Ottawa including Kanata, Nepean, Orléans, Stittsville, Manotick, and Greely, as well as Eastern Ontario communities (Rockland, Embrun, Russell, Winchester, Kemptville, Carleton Place, Arnprior, Renfrew, Pembroke, Cornwall, Hawkesbury) and West Quebec (Gatineau, Aylmer, Hull, Chelsea, Wakefield, Buckingham).
