If you’re lucky, you have already found a regular dentist that you visit every six months or so. But at some point in life, everyone has to go through the process of making calls to find a new dentist.
However, not all dentists are created equal. Here are ten key questions you need to ask the dentist before scheduling an appointment.
1. What Does a Regular Appointment Entail?
Ask what comes included in a routine check-up. Do you get just a cleaning, or will the dentist want to take x-rays? Do you have a choice?
2. Do You Check Your Patients for Oral Cancer?
This is one of the most important dental questions. Prevention is often the best medicine. Ask your dentist how they screen for oral cancer and if it’s part of a regular appointment.
3. Is Your Practice Kid-Friendly?
Some dentists specialize in children’s dentistry. But there are plenty who serve both children and adults. If you have kids or may have some in the future, it’s a good idea to lock down a family dentist as early as possible.
A dentist who is experienced in treating children will be able to ease the anxiety that a lot of kids feel when visiting the dentist. This brings us to our next question.
4. Can You Help With My Dental Anxiety?
Many adults struggle with medical-related anxiety. Ask your dentist if this is something they can help you with. If they have experience in this area, it can make visiting the dentist a more peaceful experience for you.
5. What Are Your Payment Policies?
Ask your dentist about their payment plans and policies. Some dentists are more flexible than others and that’s a good thing to know upfront. Especially if you anticipate having trouble paying for your treatments all at once.
6. Can You Help Me With a Specific Problem?
When we are looking for a dentist, it’s often because we have a specific problem we need to address. Ask the dentist directly if they can help you with fixing a broken tooth or crown. Then ask them how they would fix it.
7. What Are Your Continued Education Policies?
The world of dentistry is constantly updating. You want your provider to be up to date on the newest treatments. Ask a dentist how long they’ve been in the industry and how much continued education training they participate in.
8. Can You Help Improve My Dental Hygiene?
Ultimately, you’ll have fewer dental issues long-term if you have a solid hygiene routine. A good dentist can advise you on what that routine should look like. Most dentists will also give you the items you need to make that routine a reality.
9. What Relationships Do You Have in the Industry?
This is a good question to ask if you’re thinking ahead. At some point, your dentist may have to refer you to an orthodontist or a surgeon. Ask them who they would point you to so you can do your research on them as well.
10. What Should I Bring to My Appointment?
Asking your dentist this, allows them to prepare you for your appointment as efficiently as possible. You don’t want to waste time fumbling for paperwork during your appointment. If you come prepared, you can get the most out of the experience.
Questions You Need to Ask the Dentist
Not all dentists are created equal. So before you make an appointment, make sure to ask the dentist the above questions. You’ll get more out of the experience and hopefully connect with a dentist you can have a long-term relationship with.
If you have more medical questions, visit our Health and Fitness section to keep reading!
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