The purpose of this guide is to help you choose the right dental services for you by arming you with important questions you should ask any dental office BEFORE agreeing to care. We are sharing insider secrets with you that most consumers don’t know. So let’s begin…
Dental care is more comfortable, accurate, methodical, and practically pain free now than it ever has been. When most people think of going to the dentist, they think of pain, being uncomfortable, and are most likely scared. However, with new methods and advancements in dentistry, you can have more comfortable care with less pain and anxiety.
In the past, people only thought of going to the dentist only when they were in pain, when now it is common to go to the dentist to prevent cavities and root canals, as well as make your teeth whiter, more attractive, straighter, stronger, and to treat and prevent gum disease.
So if you are experiencing oral pain, bleeding gums, missing teething, or are looking for a straighter, more beautiful smile for you or your family …then a dentist may be the right choice for you!
But Before You Are Convinced That Any Dentist Can Help You, You Must Be Aware That Not All Dentists Are The Same, And Choosing The Wrong Dentist Could Be A Big Mistake!
In a moment, you will discover the questions you must ask before choosing any dentist. But first, let’s review what most dentists do, so you know why dentistry is so popular and effective for basic family care and for cosmetics, tooth replacements, dentures, crowns and bridges, cosmetics and so much more!
Dentists do a wide range of things, from relieving pain, to pulling teeth, to assisting patients in achieving the whiter, brighter, more beautiful smile that they've always wanted. Some dentists specialize in helping people with getting stronger, more reliable teeth with procedures like placing crowns and bridges, some specialize in straightening teeth with braces which can take a couple years and some dentists specialize in assisting people in getting straighter teeth quickly and easily with a number of other, more cosmetic, treatment options.
So what should you ask a dentist BEFORE agreeing to care? Let’s review these issues now:
Prior to care, a dentist should ask detailed questions about your past and present dental health, and order x-rays or other tests when necessary.
Whether you go to see the dentist for basic dental care or for cosmetic improvements, he or she should be looking for potential problems, such as cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, cracked teeth, weakened and oversized fillings, as well as ways to improve the strength, healthiness, and appearance of your teeth and smile. Then he or she will come up with a
diagnosis and a Recommended Action Plan. So for starters…
Do NOT agree to get care from any dentist that does not first provide you with a very clear explanation of:
1. What is causing or contributing to your problem,
2. An estimate of the costs involved, and
3. A Recommended Action Plan that details what specific care is needed…and why.
Unfortunately, there are a small number of doctors, including Dentists who treat every patient pretty much the same, regardless of their condition.
As you would expect, there’s a lot the doctor must know before you can decide what care is best for you, in your specific situation. He or she will want to know if your problem is caused, or aggravated by anything such as a broken tooth, missing tooth, or some structural problem.
Or…is it a simple problem that can be resolved within a reasonable period of time?
Here’s what you should know, and the questions you must ask before choosing a dentist:
1. "What areas do you specialize in? – The correct answer is: Some dentists are only proficient in treating certain conditions or doing certain treatments. Some doctors may specialize in implants, orthodontics, TMJ, cosmetics, family dentistry, and the list goes on. The problem is that some dentists have only done one or two cases for a certain condition, and this may not be to your benefit if you want someone more experienced.
2. “Do you take x-rays when necessary?” – Be sure to seek a dentist who takes x-rays to rule out fracture or a gross pathology (English translation – some other serious problem) as indicated by the consultation, health history and exam. Caring for a patient without x-rays is like flying in
the dark without radar. Unfortunately, there are some serious conditions that can first express themselves with oral, or bone pain. There are some really quick and fast ways a dentist can now use X-rays, so you can watch them on monitor and he or she can show you what exactly is wrong
and what the best treatment option would be. We often do this in our office. Our Digital x-rays lower radiation levels by up to 90% when compared to the old film type x-rays! If the doctor you’re consulting doesn't take x-rays before recommending treatment, you should consider talking to another dentist.
3. “Will you give me your recommendations in writing?” – This is very important. This allows you to go home and think about it before making a decision. Plus, it gives you an explanation up front of what the care will consist of, how long it will take, and how much it will cost.
4. “Can you furnish me with references?” - Ask for four references. Two of these references should be current patients, and the other two should be other health care professionals like other dentists. There are three reasons for getting patient and professional references. First, any person in practice should have at least three satisfied patients they can provide you with. Secondly, if a dentist cannot produce two other professionals that will attest to his or her ability as a dentist, he or she may not be respected by his or her peers. Last, other professionals in the community see all kinds of things, and will usually be aware of what kind of care is available, and what kind of quality is provided by different folks.
Feel free to call the references you receive. You can never learn too much about the person you are considering using for your dental needs. Take the few minutes to talk to these people.
5. “Will you guarantee my satisfaction?” By law healthcare providers including dentists cannot guarantee results. But, for example, an office that offers the following warranty: “We’ll replace any treatment that we do that fails or apply any investment you made to additional treatment if necessary” shows you that they are putting their money where their mouth is. That’s
how we stand behind our treatment at our practice. Make sure the doctor you choose is willing to stand behind their care.
6. “Do you have criteria for determining how many visits I need?” Some doctors do not have an objective method to determine how many visits are necessary to relieve your pain, or get you the desired result you are looking for, and to maintain your newly found state of excellent health.m They make subjective guesses about your initial treatment and progress. I do progress exams along the way to make sure we are on track. This procedure tells us exactly when we are done with the initial care, and how we are doing in maintaining the results you are looking for. That way you don’t get more visits than you actually need. Make sure to find out how the dentist you’re talking to measures progress, and whether it’s routine or not.
7. “Will you show me ways of preventing what you are treating?” – I saw a sign the other day in another dentist’s office that read, “Support your dentist, eat more candy”. Although I know he’s joking, we spend a considerable amount of time customizing simple and easy ways
for you to keep your gums and teeth healthy…no matter what current problem you or your family is having. You’ll be thrilled to find out how quick and easy it is to prevent continuous and unnecessary dental problems. This ensures that you and your family will get the most out of your office visits, decrease the chance of having dental problems, and in the long run save you money!
Well I hope this information will give you the confidence in taking the first step to regaining your health by experiencing the benefits of dental care. By the way, we do:
- Implantology and reconstructive dentistry
- Cosmetics and Family dentistry
- Employ diagnostic tests such as x-rays
• Furnish you our recommendations and expected cost in writing
• Furnish you with patient and professional references upon request
• Stand behind our treatment
• Provide you custom designed prevention techniques
•
If you are ready to make an appointment for your consultation call my office at +91 40 40200030 now, while this fresh on your mind…and you know EXACTLY what questions to ask
BEFORE using me as your cosmetic, implant or family dentist.
I hope this information has been helpful, and that whether you choose to come in to see us or not, that you've benefited from the knowledge you've been given. No matter what you decide to do, I wish you the best of health!
Sincerely,
Hormuzd K Vakil MDS
Yatha Dental Care
127 MG Road
Secunderabad 500003
To schedule an appointment please call +91 40 4020 0030
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