For Patients
Care that begins with listening.
From your first phone call to your final follow-up, our entire team is dedicated to personal, high-quality care — and to making sure you understand every option along the way.
Our reception · 345 West Portal AvenueOur Commitment
Your oral health, our first priority.
When you visit The Practice SF, your oral health becomes the top priority. Our entire team is dedicated to providing personal, high-quality care — and to sharing the information that helps you make confident, informed decisions at every step.
Most of our patients arrive through a referral from their general dentist, who remains the leader of the dental team throughout. We work in close partnership with your dentist, keeping them informed from the initial examination through the completion of treatment, so your care is always seamless and coordinated.
Patient Forms
Three ways to complete your registration.
A few quiet minutes at home spare you the clipboard in the waiting room — and anything you skip, we will simply go over together.
Online patient registration.
Complete your questionnaires securely in our patient portal — new patients select “Register Now”, returning patients simply log in. Your information reaches our office and joins your patient record before your first visit.
Health history.
Our online health history can be completed right in your browser — download it as a PDF or send it by email when you’re done.
Patient registration.
Print our registration form, fill it in at your own pace and bring it along to your first appointment.
Your First Visit
An unhurried beginning.
A first appointment with a specialist should feel clear and unhurried. Here is how your visit with us unfolds.
Getting acquainted
We begin by reviewing your referral, your health history and any records your dentist has shared — so we understand your situation before we ever look at a tooth.
A comprehensive evaluation
Your first appointment centers on a comprehensive periodontal evaluation — a careful, meticulous examination of your gums, your supporting bone and your overall oral health.
An unhurried conversation
We take the time to walk you through what we’ve found and every option available, in plain language — because informed decisions are the foundation of good care.
A coordinated plan
Your general dentist remains the leader of your dental team. We keep them informed from the initial examination through every stage of treatment.
Helpful to Bring
- Any referral information from your dentist
- Dental x-rays, if available
- A list of your current medications
- Your insurance information
Frequently Asked Questions
Before your first visit.
The questions new patients ask us most often. If yours isn't here, call the office — we are glad to answer it before you come in.
Do I need a referral from my dentist?
Most of our patients arrive through their general dentist, and we work closely with them throughout your care. A referral is not required, though — you are very welcome to call us directly.
Will treatment begin at the first appointment?
Your first visit is dedicated to a comprehensive evaluation and an unhurried conversation about what we have found. Treatment is planned together and scheduled afterwards, so you have time to consider every option.
Is there a fee for the first visit?
Yes. Every visit — including your first evaluation — is a professional appointment with its own fee, explained clearly when you schedule. If you have dental insurance, our team will gladly help you understand how your benefits apply.
Financial & Insurance
Openness, before treatment ever begins.
We believe you should never be surprised by the cost of your care. Fees and treatment options are discussed openly and completely before treatment begins, so every decision you make is an informed one. Every visit — including your first evaluation — is a professional appointment with its own fee, explained clearly when you schedule.
Our team is happy to help you understand your insurance benefits and how they apply to your treatment. If you have a question about fees, coverage or anything in between, please don’t hesitate to call — we welcome the conversation.
For treatment you would like to pay for over time, we are pleased to accept CareCredit, a healthcare credit card designed specifically for medical and dental expenses, with convenient monthly payment options.
Comfort, consideredComfort & Sedation
At ease, from your first appointment to recovery.
Your comfort guides every visit to our office. Long before the day of any procedure, we sit down with you personally at your first appointment to discuss the sedation options available and exactly what to expect on the day of surgery.
You’ll leave with clear pre-operative and post-operative instructions, and with every question answered — so the only thing on your mind is a comfortable recovery.
Sedation Options
Paths to complete ease.
At your appointment we’ll discuss which of our sedation options suits you best — each chosen for the same reason: your comfort, from the first moment to the last.
Nitrous oxide analgesia.
A gentle blend of nitrogen and oxygen, inhaled through a small nasal mask and used comfortably alongside local anesthetic for patients of all ages. It raises the threshold of discomfort and can make the time seem to pass quickly.
Oral sedation.
A prescribed medication is taken by mouth before the procedure to reduce anxiety and make the dental experience more comfortable. You remain awake and conscious throughout the procedure, but often feel very relaxed or drowsy. With this level of sedation, you are required to have someone drive you to the appointment and to pick you up afterward.
Intravenous conscious sedation.
A minimally invasive technique, administered through an intravenous line, for a deeper level of relaxation without general anesthesia. You remain conscious throughout — breathing on your own and responding to voice and touch — and it is never intended to produce a loss of consciousness. With this level of sedation, you are required to have someone drive you to the appointment and to pick you up afterward.
The day of surgery.
Plan Ahead
- Leave the office accompanied by a responsible adult who can take you home
- Rest for the remainder of the day
- Have any prescriptions filled in advance
For 24 Hours After Sedation
- Do not drive or operate machinery
- Avoid alcohol
- Take no medications that have not been discussed with your doctor
- Postpone important decisions and documents
Whatever you’re wondering — about sedation, recovery or anything in between — your appointment is the place to ask, and we’ll take all the time you need to answer.
Hours & Scheduling
When to find us.
Appointments are arranged by phone — call and we’ll find a time that works for you.
- Monday – Friday
- 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday – Sunday
- Closed
- Appointments
- (415) 664-4532
Begin Your Care
We look forward to welcoming you.
Whether you’ve been referred by your dentist or are reaching out on your own, our team is here to answer your questions.