Your first visit, start to finish

BDS, MDS (Orthodontics, with distinction) · Registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand as a dental specialist.

Smiling orthodontist sharing a laugh with a teenage patient with braces in the treatment room

Becoming a New Patient at Bay Orthodontics in Tauranga

If this is your first visit with us, we look forward to welcoming you at one of our clinics in Tauranga, Whakatane or Rotorua.

Our specialist orthodontists, Mark Johnson and Justin Kearney, along with our entire team, will do everything we can to ensure every step of your journey is easy and comfortable.

Getting started with a specialist orthodontist is different to a routine dental visit. Mark and Justin have both completed additional years of specialist training beyond general dentistry, with a focus on diagnosing and correcting bite, jaw and alignment problems. That means your treatment plan is built around your own teeth and goals, not a standard template. Our team will talk you through each step as you go, so you always know what’s happening and why.

Every new patient starts with an initial orthodontic consultation, where we assess your teeth, jaw, and bite before discussing your options. From there, you can look at the range of braces and Invisalign® options available to find what suits your lifestyle and goals, and we’ll also take a panoramic X-ray in-house to give us a complete view of your mouth from day one.

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps to getting started

01

Get in touch

Call us or complete the self-referral form online. No dentist referral is needed to be seen.

02Tauranga Clinic

Your first consultation

About 40 minutes with a specialist. We assess the teeth and jaws, take photos and any x-rays needed, and explain what we find.

03Tauranga Clinic

Your options in writing

You leave with recommended treatments, timeframes, costs and payment plan options. Nothing starts on the day.

04Tauranga Clinic

Starting treatment

When you are ready, we book your fitting appointment and set up your review schedule from there.

What to bring

Nothing is essential — if you turn up with none of this we can still see you.

  • Any x-rays or notes your dentist has sent through
  • Your health insurance details, if you have cover
  • A list of questions — we would rather answer them all
  • For under-18s, a parent or caregiver to sit in

Qualifications

We quote in writing after your consultation so the number is real, not an estimate. To help make payment easier we offer financial plans: an initial deposit on the day braces are placed, then the balance spread over the following 18-24 months. If you have more than one child needing treatment, we will give you a discount.

  • First Consultation to $150
  • Written quote before anything starts
  • Balance over 18-24 months
  • Sibling discount available

Do I need a referral?

No. Dentists and school dental therapists can refer you, but you are welcome to book directly. Complete the self-referral form online or call us on 07 577 0916.

Orthodontist photographing a teenage patient’s teeth in the dental chair for orthodontic records

Initial Appointment

We can arrange an appointment at whichever clinic suits you best, Tauranga, Whakatane or Rotorua.

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Dental model with metal braces, with labels A to D pointing to the brackets, archwire and coloured elastics

Types of braces

Learn about the different parts of braces.

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Teenage patient positioned in a panoramic dental X-ray machine as a staff member explains the scan

Panex

We’re happy to offer a panoramic (full mouth) x-ray service at our practice.

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Ready for a smile you'll love?

Book a consultation with a Bay of Plenty specialist today.