What to Expect at Your First Appointment at Local Start Dental

If it has been a while since you have seen a dentist, you are not alone. Many of the patients who walk through our door in downtown Durham have been putting off dental care for years: sometimes because of cost, sometimes because of anxiety, often both. This guide covers exactly what happens at your first appointment so you can walk in knowing what to expect.

Your First Appointment: The Comprehensive Exam

Every first appointment at Local Start Dental begins the same way: a comprehensive exam.

This is not a rushed check-in. The comprehensive exam gives our clinical team a complete picture of your oral health so we can build a treatment plan around what you actually need. It includes X-rays, a full examination of your teeth, gums, and existing restorations, and a conversation about your dental history, any pain or concerns you are currently experiencing, and what you are hoping to achieve.

The exam is also how we start building a relationship with you. You will meet with our team, ask your questions, and leave with a clear picture of where things stand and what the path forward looks like.

Your Treatment Plan and Costs

After your exam, we will go over your treatment options and provide clear, upfront pricing for any recommended procedures. There are no surprises.

Local Start Dental treats a wide range of dental needs in-house, including routine cleanings and fillings, crowns, extractions, dentures, and dental implants. Our team will explain what we recommend, why, and what it will cost based on your specific situation.

Fees at Local Start Dental are determined by two things: the treatment you need and your validated household income. Our sliding scale model means that what you pay reflects your ability to pay.

For a full overview of our fee structure, visit our fees page.

How to Pay for Your Care

NC Medicaid: Our office accepts NC Medicaid that includes appropriate dental coverage. Bring your card to your appointment.

VA benefits: We gladly accept VA dental benefits for eligible veterans.

Private dental insurance: We do not bill private insurance carriers directly, including Humana, BCBS, or Aetna. However, we can provide the records and documentation you need to submit a claim to your plan yourself. Combined with our sliding scale, this can result in meaningful savings.

Financing: If you need a payment plan, we work with several financing partners: Proceed Finance, CareCredit, Alpheon Credit, Healthcare Finance Direct, Lending Club, and One Main Financial.

Our team can help you find the option that fits your situation.

Applying for Sliding Scale Pricing

If you would like to apply for income-based sliding scale fees, Local Start Dental has a straightforward application process. To complete your application at your first visit, bring:

• A valid photo ID

• Proof of household income (recent pay stubs, tax documents, or benefit letters all work)

If you have NC Medicaid or VA dental benefits, bring your insurance card as well. If you are not sure what qualifies or have questions before your appointment, call us at 919-569-5533 and our front desk team will walk you through it.

Where We Are

Local Start Dental is located at 370 Jackson Street in downtown Durham, NC 27701, at street level in the Willard Street Apartments, a Self-Help Credit Union affordable housing development.

We are right next to Durham's downtown bus station and regional transportation hub, making us accessible by public transit from across the region.

Our 5,000 square foot clinic includes ten operatories, an on-site design and denture lab, two X-ray rooms, and a dedicated treatment consultation room where you will review your care plan with your provider.

Take a virtual tour of our clinic before you come in.

Ready to Schedule?

Whether you have been avoiding dental care for years because of cost, or you are simply looking for a team that will treat you with respect and give you honest answers, we are here.

Schedule your comprehensive exam or call us at 919-569-5533. We serve patients from across North Carolina and look forward to meeting you.