What to expect at your first visit
Here’s exactly how your first visit works, from a questionnaire to a clear plan for better sleep.
Your first visit at A-Z Sleep & Airway Center in Glen Allen starts with a short sleep questionnaire, then a digital scan, a 3D image of your airway and a head and neck exam with Dr. Ashlee Goodman-Tabari. You leave with a clear explanation and, when you're ready, a home sleep test.
Here's what you can expect
Before you arrive
We send you a short sleep questionnaire ahead of time so we understand your concerns before you walk in. If you already have a sleep appliance or a sleep physician you’ve worked with, we’ll ask you to bring the device and their contact information. We just ask that you complete your forms before your visit.
During your visit
We take a digital scan of your mouth and a 3D image so we can look closely at your bite and airway. You’ll also complete a short screening that shows your risk level. Then Dr. Goodman-Tabari does a head and neck exam, reviews everything with you on screen, and talks through your symptoms and history.
Deciding your next step
We explain what we’re seeing, answer your questions, and go over the process and your options. The sleep study is always the first step, so if you’re ready, we’ll arrange your at-home test. There’s no pressure, you decide how you’d like to move forward.
After your sleep study
A sleep physician we partner with reviews your results and meets with you by video, so there’s no long wait for a sleep clinic. If sleep apnea is confirmed, your options can include an oral appliance, a CPAP or, for some people, surgery. Dr. Goodman-Tabari will help you understand each one, and we’ll take it one step at a time from there.
What you can count on
A calm, unhurried first visit
Clear explanations on screen
No pressure to commit
A plan built around your needs
What patients ask us
Will I get a device on my first visit?
No. The first visit is a consultation and exam. A sleep study always comes first so we have a real diagnosis before recommending treatment. Only after we understand your results do we fit a device or discuss other options.
What should I bring?
If you have a current sleep appliance, bring it. If you’ve worked with a sleep physician, bring their contact information. Otherwise, just complete the forms we send you ahead of time.
How long does the first appointment take?
Plan to spend enough time for a thorough exam and an unhurried conversation. We take time to explain what’s happening and answer every question before you decide on anything.
More questions, answered
How should I choose a dental sleep provider?
Look for a provider who focuses specifically on sleep and airway care, uses at-home testing, and confirms your treatment works with follow-up. It also helps when they coordinate with sleep physicians and your other doctors, so your care is connected rather than piecemeal.
Will you work with my primary care doctor or sleep specialist?
Yes. We coordinate with your primary care doctor, sleep physician, and any other specialists involved in your care. We keep them informed and work as a team so your diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up all fit together, rather than leaving you to relay information between offices.
What happens after my first appointment?
After your consultation and exam, the next step is your at-home sleep study. Once a sleep physician has read your results, we go over them with you and build a treatment plan around your needs, whether that's a custom oral appliance, a referral, or a combined approach.
Do I need to stop any medications before my visit?
Generally no, but let us know everything you take when you fill out your forms. Some medications and supplements can affect your sleep or breathing, so sharing your full list helps us understand your situation. We'll tell you if anything needs adjusting before testing.
How soon can I get my sleep study?
Often within a matter of days. Once your consultation in Glen Allen is done and you’re ready, we arrange your at-home sleep study, so you aren’t waiting weeks for a spot in a sleep lab. A sleep physician reads your results, and we go over them with you as soon as they come back.
Related care
Ready to stop guessing about your sleep?
If you snore, wake up tired, or have been told you stop breathing at night, the first step is simple. Call us and we will get you scheduled.