Four Ways To Be Understood by Your Dentist
What do you want from your relationship with your dentist? Oftentimes, this question is answered when there is a dental problem or emergency requiring immediate attention. There is a different approach to your relationship with your dentist that relates to your own needs and dental health.
This approach is designed to help you create the kind of experiences you want with your dentist. You have a choice about this relationship and how it can support and assist you in your life. It begins with the simple question stated at the beginning of this article: What do you want from your relationship with your dentist?
The answer to this question can take many forms. For some people it may mean having a lot of information about their dental health and future. They seek facts to know they are making good, informed decisions. Others may want a friendly relationship in which openness and communication are valued.
They want information but, more importantly, they want to know they are important to the dentist and the dental team. Some individuals want minimal information and discussion -- just the facts and the solutions to take care of any problem.
We all have different wants in our relationships with health professionals such as dentists. Here are four tips to assist you in deciding what you want in your relationship with your dentist:
- Do you want a lot of detailed information about actual problems or potential problems or do you prefer a quick summary of data with recommendations about what to do?
- Do you like to make quick decisions or do you prefer to think about things before you act?
- Do you like to talk about what is happening or do you prefer to have your dentist just tell you what is going on?
- Do you want the dentist to describe a problem situation and solution with pictures so you can see what it happening or do you prefer to go on gut feeling?
Each person looks for different things in their relationships. It is your responsibility to determine what you want and look for that in the relationship with your dentist. The answers to the questions above will tell you something about this.
The next step is communicating what you want so that you are understood. Only you know when someone else understands you. Here are four tips to assist you in this communication process:
- Tell your dentist that you have some ideas about how he or she can assist you with your dental health.
- Ask when it would be a good time to discuss your needs and desires for your dental care and relationship with your dentist.
- Communicate what you want and how that will help you.
- If you had a negative experience in the past with another dental professional or are dealing with dental anxiety, always discuss what happened. Past hurts or disappointments have a way of negatively influencing present situations that are similar in nature.
Communicating what you want is important to your dentist for it is the best way for him or her to plan for the optimal dental health for you.
By Brian DesRoches, PhD
Learn About Sedation Dentists - FAQs About Sedation Dentistry
Q. Will I really be totally relaxed with Sedation Dentistry?
A. Your sedation dentist will administer just enough sedation so that you'll be completely unaware of the treatment, as if you were asleep.
Q. Will I remember anything after sedation dentistry?
A. At the end of the treatment, you'll have little or no memory of what was accomplished.
Q. Will I feel any pain during dental treatment?
A. Most patients experience no discomfort whatsoever during treatment and feel surprisingly good afterwards.
Q. What dental treatments can I have while under sedation?
A. Sedation dentists can generally do it all—implants, dentures, cosmetic dentistry treatments, crowns, even gum surgery.
Q. Is sedation dentistry safe for me?
A. Oral sedation dentistry protocols have been used safely for 30 years. Sedation dentists will review your medical history and monitor you closely while under sedation.
Q. Will my dental insurance cover it?
A. Almost all sedation dentists will review your coverage and, if necessary, make financial arrangements so you get the care you need.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.