ABSTRACT
The evaluation of a new patient should be completed in two visits, each lasting no longer than 30 minutes. These are referred to as the first and second consultations. The reason for managing the new patient in two visits is that the first impression formed by both the patient and the clinician is a two-way process. The orthodontist needs time between the first and second consultation to assess the needs of the patient and the patient needs the time and opportunity to assess and reflect on the orthodontist. To arrive at a diagnosis and work out a detailed treatment plan requires evaluation of the study models, radiographs, cephalometric tracings, photographs and written records. The findings are presented to the patient at the second consultation.
