New Dental Patients Welcome in Denver and Lakewood
Star Dental welcomes adults, children and families from Denver and Lakewood. We are open seven days, accept Health First Colorado Medicaid and most PPO plans, and have Spanish-speaking staff available every day. Call 303-222-1414 for current appointment or walk-in guidance. Availability and the care that can be completed depend on the patient’s needs and the schedule.
What to Expect at a New-Patient Appointment
Your first visit is built around diagnosis and a clear plan. The exact services depend on your symptoms, oral health, medical history and the time reserved.
Check-In and Health History
Complete or update the required forms and provide current medicines, allergies, health conditions, surgeries and relevant dental history. Arrive 10–15 minutes early unless the scheduling team gives different instructions.
Discuss Your Main Concerns
Tell the team whether you are seeking routine care, have pain or swelling, need help with a denture, are worried about a particular tooth or have delayed care because of anxiety, cost or access needs.
Examination and Patient-Specific X-Rays
The dentist examines the teeth, gums, bite and other oral tissues. Dental X-rays are selected when the history, symptoms and examination show they are expected to help with diagnosis or planning. Being a new patient does not automatically mean every type of X-ray is needed.
Findings and Options
The dentist explains the findings, priorities, treatment alternatives and what could happen if a problem is not treated. Ask questions and make sure you understand which care is urgent and which can be scheduled later.
Estimate and Next Steps
The team reviews available benefit information and provides an estimate for recommended care when possible. Verification and estimates are not guarantees of insurance or Medicaid payment. Some procedures require prior authorization, staged visits or referral.
Your first visit begins with an accurate plan
Your first visit begins with an examination and a personalized treatment plan. When appropriate and time allows, care may begin the same day; otherwise, the team will help arrange the next visit.
What to Bring to Your First Dental Visit
- Government-issued photo identification for the patient or responsible adult.
- Current dental insurance card or Health First Colorado Medicaid information.
- A complete list of prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements and allergies.
- Information about important health conditions, recent surgeries, pregnancy or medical treatment.
- Your previous dentist’s name and contact information.
- Relevant dental records and recent X-rays, if available.
- A list of questions, symptoms and the approximate date each concern began.
- Any appliance involved in the concern, such as a denture, night guard or removable retainer.
- Required guardianship, consent or authorization documents for a minor or dependent adult.
Do not know your Medicaid member number?
Tell the office when you call. The team may be able to help locate active coverage using identifying information, but eligibility and benefits still must be confirmed.
Transferring Dental Records and X-Rays
Ask your previous dental office to send useful treatment notes and recent X-rays before the appointment. The American Dental Association states that, when requested and consistent with applicable law, a dentist should provide records or copies that benefit a patient’s future treatment.
Prior X-rays may reduce unnecessary repetition when they are current, complete and diagnostically useful. The new dentist must still decide whether additional images are clinically needed. Current ADA guidance emphasizes reviewing the history, previous images and clinical examination before selecting patient-specific imaging.
For privacy, call 303-222-1414 to confirm Star Dental’s current secure record-delivery method before sending protected health information.
New-Patient Visits for Children and Minors
A parent or legal guardian is the safest person to attend a minor’s first appointment. Bring the responsible adult’s photo identification and the child’s insurance or Medicaid information, medicine list, allergies and relevant health history.
If a grandparent, stepparent, sibling or another adult will bring the child, call before the appointment. Ask which written consent, custody or guardianship documents are required and who can authorize examination, X-rays and treatment. Requirements can differ according to the situation and care planned.
Insurance, Medicaid and Treatment Estimates
The team can review available benefit information, but coverage and patient responsibility are determined by the individual plan and claim.
Health First Colorado Medicaid
Star Dental accepts Health First Colorado Medicaid. The team verifies active eligibility and available benefit information for the patient and date of service. Covered services, frequency rules, annual limits and prior authorization can affect what Medicaid approves.
PPO Dental Insurance
Star Dental accepts most PPO plans, including many plans administered by Delta Dental, Cigna, Aetna, MetLife and Guardian. Network status and benefits can vary by employer plan, product and provider, so the office must verify the individual policy rather than relying only on the carrier name.
What Verification Means
Benefit verification is an informational service, not a guarantee of payment. An insurer can process a claim differently because of deductibles, annual maximums, frequency limitations, waiting periods, exclusions, coordination of benefits or information not available before treatment.
Prior Authorization and Estimates
Some services require records, X-rays or prior authorization before treatment or payment. When possible, Star Dental provides an estimate based on the information available. The final patient responsibility is determined after the plan processes the claim.
Appointments, Urgent Visits and Walk-Ins
Scheduled appointments are recommended because they reserve time for the patient’s reason for visiting. Call 303-222-1414 and describe whether the need is routine, urgent or related to a recent procedure.
Walk-ins are welcome. Calling before you travel helps the team share current availability, prepare for your concern and give urgent needs the right priority.
For severe or worsening tooth pain, swelling, trauma, a broken tooth or continued bleeding, tell the team when the symptom began and whether there is fever, drainage, trouble opening the mouth or difficulty swallowing.
Use emergency medical care for life-threatening symptoms
Call 911 or go to an emergency department for difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing; rapidly spreading swelling toward the eye, neck or airway; uncontrolled bleeding; serious facial or jaw trauma; or another life-threatening medical symptom.
Tell Us How We Can Make the Visit More Accessible
Dental anxiety, sensory sensitivities, mobility needs, communication differences and difficult previous experiences can all affect a visit. Share these concerns when scheduling—not after discomfort becomes overwhelming.
No single comfort measure or sedation option is appropriate for everyone. Availability, medical suitability and cost must be reviewed for the individual patient.
New Patient FAQs
Is Star Dental accepting new patients?
Yes. Star Dental welcomes new adult and child patients. Call 303-222-1414 for current appointment and walk-in guidance.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring photo identification, current insurance or Medicaid information, a medicine and allergy list, relevant health history, previous dentist information and any available records or recent X-rays. Bring required consent documents for a minor or dependent adult.
How do I transfer records from my previous dentist?
Contact the previous office and complete its authorization process. Ask it to send relevant notes and X-rays securely to the delivery method Star Dental confirms, then verify receipt before the appointment.
Will Star Dental take new X-rays?
Only when the dentist determines that images are clinically useful after considering the history, symptoms, examination and available prior X-rays. Being new to the office does not automatically require every type of image.
Does a parent or legal guardian need to attend with a minor?
A parent or legal guardian is the safest default for a first visit. If another adult will attend, call beforehand to learn which consent, identification or guardianship documents are required.
Will I get a cleaning or treatment at my first visit?
When clinically appropriate and time allows, treatment may begin at the first visit. The team will start with an accurate examination and explain the recommended next step.
Does Star Dental accept walk-ins?
Yes. Walk-ins are available, but wait time and treatment availability vary. Calling first helps the team understand the concern and provide current guidance.
Does Star Dental accept Medicaid and dental insurance?
Star Dental accepts Health First Colorado Medicaid and most PPO plans. Eligibility, network status, covered services, prior authorization and patient responsibility must be verified for each patient.
What if I have dental anxiety or need an accommodation?
Tell the team when scheduling. Describe communication, mobility, sensory or anxiety needs and what has helped previously. The office can discuss available accommodations, appointment planning and whether another setting or referral is appropriate.
Is Spanish help available?
Yes. Spanish-speaking staff are available every day. Request Spanish assistance when scheduling so the team can prepare.
Guidance Sources
Last updated August 6, 2026.
These American Dental Association resources support the patient-intake, record-transfer, X-ray and accommodation guidance on this page.
Plan Your Visit
Prepare for Your First Visit
Call for current appointment or walk-in guidance and tell the team about your main concern, insurance information and any accommodation needs.
PATIENT GUIDES