Welcome — We're Glad You're Here
Whether you’ve been putting off finding a dentist for a while, you’re new to Clintonville, you’ve been a patient at this office for years and you’re meeting Dr. Rouse for the first time, or you’re transferring from another practice — we’re glad you picked us, and we want your first visit to feel comfortable.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Step 1 — Warm welcome at the front desk
Our office manager has been here over a decade. She and the front-desk team will get you checked in, confirm your insurance, and walk you back when we’re ready.
Step 2 — Diagnostic imaging
We’ll take a set of digital X-rays (lower radiation than traditional film, and immediately viewable on the chairside screen) and intraoral photos so we can see exactly what’s happening in your mouth.
Step 3 — Full exam with Dr. Rouse
Tommy will do a complete examination — every tooth checked, gum health measured, jaw and bite assessed, and a visual oral cancer screening. He’ll point out anything he’s watching, anything that needs attention, and anything that’s doing fine and just needs to stay that way.
Step 4 — Professional cleaning
One of our hygienists will clean your teeth, remove plaque and tartar, polish, and floss. If we discover deeper gum issues during the exam, we may recommend coming back for a more thorough periodontal cleaning at a separate visit — we’ll explain why if that’s the case.
Step 5 — Treatment plan conversation
Tommy will sit down with you and walk through what he found. If you need any restorative or cosmetic work, you’ll leave with a written treatment plan that includes the cost of each recommended procedure, what insurance is likely to cover, and your estimated out-of-pocket portion.
Step 6 — Schedule your next visit
The front desk will help you schedule any follow-up visits, your next six-month cleaning, and answer any final questions.
What to Bring
- A photo ID
- Your dental insurance card (if applicable)
- A list of current medications and any relevant medical conditions
- Your completed patient forms (on your phone or printed)
- Any X-rays from a previous dentist taken in the last 24 months, if you have them
Hours
Monday
7:30am to 5:00pm
Tuesday
7:30am to 5:00pm
Wednesday
7:30am to 5:00pm
Thursday
8:00am to 3:00pm
Friday
Closed
Saturday & Sunday
Closed
A Note for Anxious Patients
If going to the dentist makes you anxious, please tell us — when you book, when you check in, or when you sit down in the chair. We’ll move at your pace, explain everything before we do it, and pause whenever you need a break.
You’re not unusual. A lot of people put off finding a dentist because of past experiences, fear of the chair, or worry about being judged. None of that happens here. We’ll meet you wherever you’re starting from.
A Note for Patients Coming from the Hughes Practice
If you’ve been a patient at this office for years — under Dr. Hughes, under Dr. Whitcomb, or both — we want this transition to be easy. Here’s what’s the same:
The address. Same office at 4345 N High Street.
The team. Office manager, hygienists, front desk — same people.
Your records. Already here. No paperwork to transfer.
The pace. Careful, conservative, unhurried — the same approach Dr. Hughes brought.
What’s new is Dr. Rouse and a refreshed look. We hope you’ll give the new dentist a chance to earn the same trust the previous one had. And if you have any concerns about the transition, we’d genuinely like to hear from you — call (614) 268-5250 any time.