YOUR ROLE AS A DENTAL PATIENT
You can be a smart consumer of dental care. Start telling your dentist about yourself and your needs. You should ask the dentist and office staff as many questions as needed to help you understand the treatment recommendations. Your dentist should explain each treatment option, including its benefits and drawbacks. For many oral-health problems, dentists can offer multiple treatment options or grades of dental care. These options may vary in complexity, durability and cost. Which one is chosen depends a great deal on what you want. Working together, you and your dentist can choose the treatment options that best meet your needs. This relationship is a shared responsibility.
THE FOLLOWING SHOULD HELP YOU GET THE INFORMATION YOU NEED:
What does this treatment recommendation
mean?
If you don't understand any part of what your dentist
recommends, don't be afraid to ask for more information.
Are other treatment options available?
How do the options differ in cost? Which solution will last the
longest? Do all the options solve the problem?
Among the dentist's recommendations, which treatments are absolutely necessary? Which are elective? Which are cosmetic? Which procedures are urgently needed, and which ones are less urgent? Your dentist should be able to prioritize a treatment schedule to help you distinguish problems needing immediate attention from those that are less urgent. Often, treatment can be phased in over time. Be sure you understand the consequences of delaying treatment.
How much will this cost? When and how are you
expected to pay?
Does the dentist participate in your health plan? What method of
payment does he or she expect? And when is payment due? Make
sure you understand the fees, method and schedule of payment
before you agree to any treatment.