A dental office is a place where most dental procedures are performed. It is a place where good dental health is practiced, especially if a prospective patient desires to maintain better health of their teeth and mouth. Going to the dentist office is also a means to gauge if a patient is compatible with the dentist who practices there. For this reason, it is important for a prospective patient to ask potential dentists questions about what they can offer them before making a semi-permanent commitment to their dental services.
Questions to ask before the dental office visit
Even if visiting the dental office for the first time, a prospective patient should ask questions before committing to any dentist of interest. Asking local dentists questions about their quality care and their dental office operations accomplish many things. To start, it helps a prospective patient learn more about the dentist they might want to choose. It also provides them more information about how the dental office handles its day to day operations and other dental procedures. The following information depicts suggested questions for prospective patients who might want to learn more about their chosen dental office.
How long does it take to be seen during an appointment?
In most cases, it is expected for a patient with an appointment to wait a few minutes before being seen for dental care in a dental office. During this period of time, prospective patients should note how they are treated when they enter the dental office, which can be indicative of the quality of care they may receive.
Does the dentist completely review the medical history of the patient?
Most, if not all, dentists conduct a complete review of the medical history of their patient. This ensures they are able to accurately develop a care plan to address the dental needs of their patient.
Does the dental team maintain standards of cleanliness, such as wearing protective eyewear, masks, and gloves between patients?
Any medical practice, whether a dental office or not, always adheres to the standards of cleanliness in a medical setting. For example, a dental office with high-quality care generally ensures they treat every patient with separate and clean dental instruments.
Does the dentist put aside enough time to performing a thorough dental examination and cleaning on each patient?
Every patient needs enough time during a dental visit to ensure they are thoroughly examined, as well as have proper cleaning performed. Reserving enough time for a full examination and cleaning allows the dentist to check each patient for signs of poor dental health and restore order to their teeth if any signs are detected. It also allows a dentist to explain the terms of their treatment plan to their patient if they put aside enough time during an appointment to do so.
Additional questions to ask a dentist before and during a dental office visit include:
Does the dentist thoroughly explain their treatment plan?
Does the dental office provide alternative financial arrangements for dental visits if they are not adequately covered by insurance?
How does the dental office handle billing for insurance and out of pocket expenses?
