What Questions Should I Ask the Dentist Before My Appointment?

Visiting the dentist might not be the most exciting event to look forward to. There are many other wonderful things you’d rather be doing, but seeing the dentist on a regular basis is essential for good dental health and a beautiful smile. If you suffer from dental anxiety, you’re not alone.

It’s not uncommon for someone people to fear the dentist due to the unknown or due to a bad past experience. Thankfully, there are a few questions you can ask the dentist before your appointment to help ease your mind. Some questions will help ensure everything is ready to go for you and reduce stress while other questions will help ease some of the anxiety you may have.

Continue reading the guide below to get started!

Do You Accept My Insurance?

One of the first questions you should ask a dentist before you schedule an appointment with them is if they accept your insurance. You want to make sure the dentist you’re visiting is in your insurance network. You can contact your insurance company and ask them for a list of dentists in the network.

You can also contact the dentist directly and ask. If the dentist doesn’t accept your insurance but you don’t want to see a different dentist, then be sure to ask about the financial services offered. Some Seattle dentists will offer payment plans to patients without insurance or will accept certain credit cards to help you with payments.

What Services Do You Offer?

The next question you want to ask is about the services offered. Make sure the dentist you see can provide you with the type of dental service you require. For example, if you’re looking to receive dental implants, then you’ll want to ensure the dentist has experience in this field.

Dental implants have many benefits, so you can then ask the dentist about these benefits as well. Whatever type of dental service you’re looking for, be sure the dentist offers those services and can explain the different benefits and dental procedures to you.

Do You Have Morning Appointments?

When it comes time to schedule your appointment, ask a dentist if there are any morning appointments available. Why are morning appointments so important? For anyone who suffers from dental anxiety, it’s a good idea to schedule morning appointments.

In the morning, the dentist’s office won’t be as busy as in the afternoon. This will create a quiet atmosphere and help reduce some of that anxiety or stress. You’re also not as tired or hungry during this time.

Morning appointments will also prevent you from spending the entire day thinking about the up and coming appointment. Instead, you can get it done and over with during the morning and have the rest of the day to relax.

Can I Bring a Tablet or Other Device?

Don’t hesitate to ask if you can bring a tablet or other type of entertainment device with you to the appointment. Books are great to read in the waiting room to help keep you distracted while you wait. Once you’re in the room, it’s nice to have a tablet there with you to keep your mind off of the dental procedure.

For example, you can watch a favorite show or movie while having dental work done. Be sure to bring headphones with you. They’ll help drown out the noises from the dental equipment as well.

Am I in Need of This Treatment Now?

If you’re feeling too anxious to visit the dentist, then it’s not a bad idea to ask if this treatment is something you need ASAP. If it’s a dental procedure that needs to be done as soon as possible, then you can start considering different methods of reducing anxiety. If it’s a procedure that can wait, then this will give you a bit more time to prepare for it.

Don’t put it off for too long, however. It’s sometimes best to try not to think about it too much and get it over with when possible. In other situations, such as having to pay out of pocket, putting it off a bit longer will help reduce stress by giving you time to get your finances in order.

Can a Friend Come With Me?

You might be surprised to learn that many dentists will allow you to bring a friend with you to your appointment. Call the dentist and ask if a friend or family member can join you during your appointment. Having this person there with you might help you feel more at ease.

You won’t be alone and they can help keep you distracted.

How Can I Prepare for My Appointment?

One of the last dental questions to consider asking your dentist is about how you can prepare for your appointment. Your dentist should be able to offer you some good advice on how to properly prepare for the appointment. This advice might include what you should or shouldn’t eat before the appointment and so on.

If you’re experiencing anxiety, then communicate this with the dentist. They’ve dealt with many other patients who suffer from dental anxiety and will know how to help you feel more at ease.

Don’t Forget to Ask the Dentist These Questions

If you have an up-and-coming dentist appointment, then be sure not to forget to ask the dentist these questions. Being open and honest about any concerns you may have about the appointment will help reduce some of the associated stress and anxiety.

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