The First Visit · Venice, Florida
You Are Expected.
You Are Welcome.
Everything you need before you arrive — what happens, what to bring, how insurance works, and where to park.
Office hours
Mon–Thu 9–5
Friday 9–1 · Emergencies answered any time
Your first visit
About 90 minutes
A relaxed, thorough experience.
Before you arrive — A few simple things before your visit.
Being prepared helps us make the most of your time together. Here’s what to bring and a few helpful tips.
A great first visit starts before you walk in the door.
Smile Spot Dentistry
Bring a valid ID
Please bring a photo ID and your dental insurance card, if you have one.
Medical history
Let us know about any medical conditions, and bring a list of your current medications, including supplements.
Previous dental records
Tell us your previous dentist and we will request your records and radiographs directly — you do not need to chase them.
Arrive a few minutes early
Plan to arrive about 10 minutes early. Completing your new patient forms in advance saves about fifteen minutes.
Have questions?
Write down any questions or concerns so we can make sure to address them during your visit.
If you are nervous
You’re not alone. We’re here to make it easier.
A great many people are nervous, and a good number have not seen a dentist in years because of it. Tell us when you book — not when you arrive — and we will plan the appointment differently. Nothing has to happen on the first visit: you are welcome to come in, meet us, look around and leave. Sedation options are available, and we’ll take the time you need.
During your visit · The Onboarding — What Actually Happens at Your First Visit
Your first visit is a conversation, a comprehensive evaluation, and a plan — all in a comfortable, unhurried setting. It is a diagnostic appointment, not a quick look and a cleaning. Most first visits take about 90 minutes.
Real conversations.
A clear plan.
A healthier you.
-
Arrive
About 10 minutes early
You’ll find free on-site parking and a warm welcome at our Venice office. Our team will be ready to greet you and help you get settled.
-
Check in
10 minutes
Our front desk team will welcome you, confirm your information and make sure you’re comfortable. If you completed your forms beforehand, this is a coffee and a chair.
-
Digital records
20 minutes
Our dental assistant takes a complete picture of your oral health — digital X-rays, intraoral photography, 3D imaging when indicated, and an iTero digital scan of both arches. No impression material, no gagging.
-
The examination
25 minutes
Our hygienist carefully evaluates your teeth, gums and existing restorations — and how your bite actually functions: jaw joints, muscles and wear patterns. An oral cancer screening is included as standard.
-
Review findings with Dr. Sellappan
25 minutes
Dr. Sellappan sits down with you — sometimes before your records, sometimes after — to hear what brought you in and to review your images on screen. She explains what we found in plain language and answers every question. If nothing needs doing, we will tell you that.
-
Leave with a plan
10 minutes
If treatment is recommended, you leave with a written plan and a written cost, with your insurance benefits already checked. Nothing is decided in the chair under pressure — complex cases are often planned after the visit and presented at a second appointment.
-
Next steps
Before you leave
Our team will help you schedule your next appointment and make sure you have everything you need as you leave. We’re here for you — from your first visit and every step after.
Ready to take the next step?
Request your first visit
The original onboarding detail
The Onboarding
What Actually Happens at Your First Visit
Your first appointment is a diagnostic appointment, not a quick look and a cleaning. Allow about ninety minutes. Most of it is us gathering information; some of it is you telling us what you actually want, which matters more than people expect.
Arrival and paperwork10 minutes
If you completed your forms beforehand, this is a coffee and a chair. If not, we will get you set up at reception. Please arrive about ten minutes early so the appointment starts on time.
The conversation, before the examination15 minutes
Dr. Sellappan sits down with you — sometimes first, sometimes after your records are taken. What brought you in, what has bothered you for years and never been addressed, what you would change if you could. This shapes everything that follows.
Digital records20 minutes
Digital radiographs, intraoral photography, and an iTero digital scan of both arches. No impression material, no gagging. The scan gives us a three-dimensional model of your bite that we can study after you leave.
The examination25 minutes
Teeth, gums, existing restorations, and — the part most examinations skip — how your bite actually functions. Jaw joints, muscles, wear patterns, and how your teeth meet through movement rather than in one closed position. An oral cancer screening is included as standard.
What we found, in plain language15 minutes
We show you your own images on screen and explain what we see. If there is nothing that needs doing, we will tell you that. If there is, you will understand why before anything is proposed.
Numbers and next steps10 minutes
If treatment is recommended, you leave with a written plan and a written cost, with your insurance benefits already checked. Nothing is decided in the chair under pressure. Complex cases are often planned properly after the visit and presented at a second appointment.
Request your first visit · Tell us when suits you — Ready when you are.
Tell us a few details and we’ll call you back to confirm your appointment. This is a request, not a confirmed booking — send it whenever it is convenient, including outside office hours.
Office hours
Mon – Thu 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Fri 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Sat & Sun Closed Emergencies 24/7, 365 days In pain?
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, please call rather than submitting the form — the phone is answered around the clock, so we can get you the help you need right away.
Compassionate care.
Right here in Venice.
Closer to Sarasota?
Our Sarasota studio
1058 N Tamiami Trl, Unit 106
Sarasota, FL 34236
Insurance & Finance — We’ll work out what you are owed.
Quality care should be accessible. Our team will help you understand your benefits, your options, and the best way to make treatment work for you.
01
Your insurance
We verify benefits before treatment.
- We are in-network with a number of PPO plans — call and we will confirm yours.
- Tell us your carrier when you book and we’ll verify your benefits before you arrive: annual maximum, deductible, what has already been used this year, and what your plan covers.
- We file claims on your behalf and help you make the most of your annual benefits, which reset each year — unused maximum does not carry over.
- Fee-for-service patients are equally welcome. We file your claims and your benefits are paid to you.
- We are not in-network with Medicaid, DMO or HMO plans.
02
Your options
Flexible payment solutions for your care.
- CareCredit® and Cherry — monthly payment plans, including interest-free options for qualifying applicants.
- Cash and all major credit cards accepted.
- You can use your HSA or FSA funds.
- Larger treatment can often be phased — we’ll tell you honestly what needs doing now and what can reasonably wait.
- You’ll receive a written estimate before treatment begins so you can plan with confidence.
You’ll know before you decide.
Your estimated out-of-pocket cost is presented in writing before treatment begins.
Insurance & payment — original detail
Insurance & Finance
We Will Work Out What You Are Owed.
We are in-network with a number of plans and we also see patients on a fee-for-service basis. Either way, we file your claims for you and we tell you your out-of-pocket figure in writing before treatment begins.
Insurance
Tell us your carrier when you book and we will verify your benefits before you arrive — annual maximum, deductible, what has already been used this year, and what your plan covers.
- In-network with a number of PPO plans — call and we will confirm yours.
- Fee-for-service patients are equally welcome. We file your claims and your benefits are paid to you.
- We are not a Medicaid or DMO/HMO provider.
- Benefits reset annually. Unused annual maximum does not carry over.
Payment & financing
Larger treatment is often best done in phases, and we will tell you honestly what needs doing now and what can reasonably wait.
- CareCredit and Cherry — monthly payment plans, including interest-free options for qualifying applicants.
- Cash, all major credit cards, HSA and FSA accepted.
- Written estimates before treatment.
- Phased treatment planning where it makes clinical sense.
Location & Parking — You can find us easily.
We’re on South Tamiami Trail (US 41) on Venice Island, with free parking right outside the office — a short drive from Nokomis, Osprey and South Venice. If you have any difficulty finding us on the day, call and we will talk you in.
- Smile Spot Dentistry273 S Tamiami Trail
Venice, FL 34285 - Office hours
Mon – Thu 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Fri 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Emergencies 24/7, 365 days - AccessibleGround floor, step-free and wheelchair accessible throughout, with accessible restrooms.
ArrivalEntrance from the parking area. 
ParkingFree parking directly outside our office.
Sarasota: our second Smile Spot studio is at 1058 N Tamiami Trl, Unit 106, Sarasota, FL 34236 — same phone, (941) 477-1977.
Location — original detail
Location & Parking
You Can Find Us Easily.
Smile Spot Dentistry
273 S Tamiami Trail
Venice, FL 34285
- Parking: free on-site parking, plenty of spaces, directly outside.
- Entrance: ground floor, step-free, wheelchair accessible throughout.
- Restrooms: accessible.
Getting here
We are on South Tamiami Trail (US 41) on Venice Island, a short drive from Nokomis, Osprey and South Venice.
If you have any difficulty finding us on the day, call (941) 477-1977 and we will talk you in.
Sarasota: our second Smile Spot studio is at 1058 N Tamiami Trl, Unit 106, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Before you come — Questions We Are Asked Most.
Still have a question? We’re here to help. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, just give us a call.
About ninety minutes. It is a full diagnostic appointment rather than a quick check, and we would rather take the time once than miss something and revisit it later.
Sometimes, and sometimes not. If your gums are healthy, a cleaning is often done the same day. If there is active gum disease, cleaning it as though it were routine would be the wrong treatment — we will explain what is actually needed and schedule it properly.
We are in-network with a number of PPO plans and we also treat fee-for-service patients, filing claims on their behalf. Call us with your carrier and we will confirm before you book. We are not a Medicaid or DMO/HMO provider.
You are in good company and there is no lecture coming. Tell us when you book so we can allow extra time and plan the appointment around your comfort.
Please call and ask — it depends on the child's age and what they need. If we are not the right practice for them we will tell you honestly and point you somewhere that is.
Yes, and it is a common reason people come to us. Bring any treatment plan or radiographs you already have. We will tell you what we see, including when we agree with the other opinion.
Let us know at least two business days in advance so we can offer the time to someone else. New patient appointments are long and difficult to fill at short notice.
Call (941) 477-1977 at any hour, including evenings and weekends. Do not use the appointment form for an emergency. More on what counts as urgent on our emergency care page.
In pain right now?
Dental emergencies are answered around the clock, 24/7, 365 days — including evenings, weekends and holidays. Call rather than emailing — we would rather hear from you than have you wait.
Call (941) 477-1977