Essential Questions to Ask the Dentist

Posted by fareed shakir on April 30th, 2019

We people tend to take our health for granted. In dire situations, like when worsening toothaches or any other dental condition get the best of our productivity, we always turn to our local dentist for help. Being so preoccupied by pain, with focus on the procedure and not on the series of question we should ask our dentist before leaving the clinic.

You can save as much as a thousand dollars on your next visit to the dentist by asking these simple questions:

Can you give me a detailed prognosis on how I got this condition?

Dentists charge a handsome amount for their services; therefore, we should also ask a handsome amount of questions to get our money's worth. If you got your condition from any traumatic injury, or suddenly experienced unusual throbbing pain while you were on a dietary regimen, tell it in detail to the dentist, so he/she can readily assess what's going on in your mouth. Dentists are not mind-readers - so tell that we they need to know. There are also cases wherein patients will stray away on a question if he/she had oral sex before the pain or lump in the mouth. There is this what we call "doctor-patient confidentiality" law that will disbar any dentist from practice if he/she leaks out "any" details if your conversation - more so if it is sensitive information. So feel free to tell your dentist anything that may have triggered the onset of your condition.

What areas do you specialize in?

The banner outside of the office or on the website may not always give a clear embodiment of that dentist's purported 'specialty'. If you are in any way doubtful, or just making sure that your dentist does well in what he claims, ask him a few questions on his track record and how he earned his reputation as a 'leading' cosmetic dentist.

Many a time, dentists fall short of their promises and give their patients substandard services. If you feel that your tooth/teeth did not get any better or if the procedure - and by regard, any procedure (might it be a simple tooth extraction or a root canal) - just worsened the previous condition of your tooth, go back to the dentist and ask for an explanation on why your tooth did not get better. If he declines or reacts prematurely in any way, and does not give even a partial refund if he knows what he did is wrong, you can file a report to your local dentist organization. Be sure to check your dentist's affiliations before filing a complaint. Sending a complaint directly to his affiliate organization may expedite the process of ruling him out the flock of 'good' dentists. Visit the American Dental Association (ADA) website for more details on this matter. There have been many cases of 'bad' dentists, meaning you're not alone in your plight.

Do I need to buy your product?

It's been said through and through - ask questions. If your dentist forcefully recommends a product to you, ask him/her why you should buy that product. Many patients buy a product the same day their procedure took place. It's best if you do your internet research about that product first, then come at a later time and date when you are set to buy that product.

If you find cheaper dental products similar to what your dentist is recommending to you, ask for peer advice from internet communities on whether you buy either the product your dentist endorses or a similar, cheaper emergency dentist dental product readily available on the internet.

Can you give me a discount?

Patients should rectify their ideals of not asking a discount from a professional. Indeed, professional work requires professional fees, but dentists are human beings too - able to empathize to your financial needs. Dental discounts can be given by the dentist especially when you come to an agreement of paying in cash than using immediate dental insurance - you'll still get a refund anyway.

On your next trip to the dentist, don't forget to ask these questions. You'll save a lot and learn a lot too.

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