Have you thought of how you want your patient-dentist relationship to be? It may sound silly or strange at first, but when you come to think of it, this is an important question.
Your choice will affect the kind of experience you have every time you’re in the office. Your answer will probably be dependent on your dental health and the unique needs you may have.
Some people want a dentist who can give them sufficient information about their dental problems. Someone who will be willing to discuss with them matters that can improve their dental health. To some patients, how the dental office values them makes a big difference. Others want to establish an open relationship where they could easily talk to their dentists. But there are also patients who are happier keeping it purely professional relationship where their visit is limited to dental service – no chitchats or discussions. The only thing they want is to get the treatment they need.
- If you don’t know yet as to what you want from your relationship with your dentist, here are questions you can ask yourself to help you decide:
- Do you want your dentist to give you a detailed explanation of problems he may find regarding your dental health? Or would you rather get a simple, straightforward diagnosis?
- Are you someone who can easily decide on dental matters or your health as a whole? Or you want to take things slow, giving you enough time to deliberate?
- Do you want your dentist to share details with you every step of the way, or would you rather have him decide on what he deems best for you?
- Are you the kind of person who wants full explanation with illustration before deciding on your treatment or a simple explanation is enough for you?
Each patient has dental needs and concerns that are unique from the others. It is your concern to ascertain what kind of dentist you want to have and what you want out of your dentist-patient relationship.
Another thing you need to think about is how you can communicate effectively with your dentist. This is important because you need to be able to communicate with your dentist the concerns you have. It’s not enough that you talk to them. They should be able to understand what you’re really trying to say. Here are some things you can do to achieve that:
- If you have some ideas towards your dental health, tell your dentist so you can work together.
- Ask your dentist when is the best time to talk about your expectations and needs from him, as your dentist and about your dental health.
- Let your dentist know the things that you want, the outcome that you’re hoping for and how it can help you.
- If you have a bad experience from a former dentist, talk to your current dentist about it. By doing so, it will set things right with your new dentist. It will also give your dentist knowledge on practices or matters that are not okay with you. Through this, you are eliminating the possibility of having to go through the same problem with your current dentist.
Communicating with your dentist is not only good for you but for your dentist as well. Through this it will be easier for your dentist to make a dental care plan for you. As patient, it also protects you from stress or future problems about your dental care provider.
