Yes, we are accepting new patients

Whether you have just moved to Hamilton, are between dentists, or simply want a fresh start closer to downtown, we would be glad to have you. Our team welcomes:

• Families, from toddlers and children to parents and grandparents
• Adults looking for a regular checkup or a specific treatment
• Newcomers to Canada and anyone more comfortable in another language
• Patients using the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) or ODSP
• Urgent cases, with same-day and walk-in appointments when you call

Your first visit, step by step

Knowing what to expect makes a first appointment easier. Here is how yours will usually go.

1. Welcome and health history. We go over your dental and medical history and your insurance or coverage, so we have the full picture.
2. Exam and any needed x-rays. A dentist gets to know you, listens to your concerns, and completes a thorough exam.
3. Cleaning where time allows. Many new patients also have a cleaning at the first visit, depending on the schedule and what your mouth needs.
4. Your findings and options. We explain what we found, walk through your choices and the costs, and agree on a plan that fits you.
5. Next steps. We book any follow-up care and set you up for regular checkups so nothing gets missed.

Want more detail before you come in? See our first visit page.

What to bring to your first appointment

To make your visit smooth, bring these along if you have them:

• A piece of photo identification
• Your insurance details, including your CDCP or ODSP information if you have coverage
• A list of any medications you take
• Any dental appliances you use, such as a retainer or night guard
• Previous dental records or recent x-rays, if you can get them from your last dentist

It also helps to arrive about 10 to 15 minutes early to fill out new-patient forms, and to jot down any questions or concerns you want to raise.

Switching from another dentist?

You do not need to wait for a checkup date or ask permission to change dentists. When you are ready, we can see you, and your previous office can pass along your records and recent x-rays on request. If it is easier, we can help you arrange that transfer so you are not left chasing paperwork. Bringing any x-rays you already have can also save you from repeating them.

Coverage for new patients

We want great dental care to be within reach, so we work with a range of coverage and always explain costs before treatment begins.

Get started in your language, any time

If English is not your first language, or you would rather not call during office hours, our assistant Sam can help you get started day or night.

Most of your care under one roof

Martindale Dental Hamilton is a large, multi-specialty team, so as a new patient you can have most of your care in one place instead of being sent elsewhere. That includes family and children's dentistry, cleanings and checkups, fillings and crowns, root canals, dentures, clear braces and orthodontics, oral surgery and wisdom teeth, dental implants, and emergency care.

If dental visits make you anxious, you are in good company, and we can help. We offer options such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and sedation, and small comforts like music or television to help the time pass. Just tell us when you book.

Why downtown Hamilton patients choose us

• Right in the core, on the main level of Jackson Square Mall at 2 King St W, next to the farmers market
• Ample mall parking, and easy to reach on transit, including bus routes 1, 5, 10 and 20
• Weekday and Saturday appointments, including morning and lunchtime times
• Same-day and walk-in appointments when you call
• A welcoming team and a clean, modern clinic that follows Public Health Ontario safety standards

Visit our Hamilton clinic

How to get started

Becoming a new patient is easy. Call us at 905-393-8501, drop by the clinic in Jackson Square, or start with Sam any time and our team will follow up. Tell us you are a new patient and we will take it from there. If you are dealing with a dental emergency, let us know when you call so we can prioritize you.

New patients in Hamilton, frequently asked questions