What You Should Ask About the Office Procedures

If you have had bad experiences with past dental treatments, you know what to watch for during your first visit. Observe communication between the staff. Does the office overbook patient appointments that causes the dentist to rush? Do you sense stress in the environment? 

1. Does the staff make patients feel comfortable and help them relax before the dentist comes into the treatment room? Is the dentist friendly and personable his staff? Using these questions are the best way we learn about dentist only in his clinic.

2. How does the billing staff approach the insurance process with you? Are they concerned with your confidentiality? Are the office staff properly trained, knowledgeable, and efficient? Do they have contact information for most major insurance groups, or do they rely on patient information for all their contact information?

3. Is the dental staff clear about how much your insurance will cover and what your payment responsibility is before treatment begins? Most dentist offices do not guarantee the total cost of your treatment in advance, but they should have enough experience to be able give you a “ball park” estimate about the price range — based on other similar treatments they have provided their patients.

4. Does this dental office have an appointment schedule that works with your schedule, without requiring you to take time off work or school? Most dentists provide office hours that include evening and weekend appointments for students and working people. We learn about dentist only in his clinic.

5. Be sure to discuss with a dental team member if they have an advance notification allowance if you need to cancel or reschedule and appointment, or will they charge for missed appointments? There should be no surprises with this situation, efficient offices have already established their procedures for rescheduling, advanced notice on cancellations and what the charge will be if there is a charge.

6. The treatment team should provide an estimated number of appointments for your specific dental treatment plan. During treatment plans, a certain amount of time is recommended between steps. When more than one appointment is required to complete a dental treatment, like a root-canal and making a porcelain cap for a tooth with dental decay. Dental staff should explain, in advance, how many appointments are required to set up for completing treatment.