Four Questions Your
Dentist Wishes You Would Ask
The technology and treatment options
for consumers of dental care have greatly improved over the last 20
years. The new dentistry now provides you with the opportunity of
maintaining your natural teeth throughout your life. One of the ways
this is accomplished is by referral to a dental specialist to treat
specific dental problems.
When dentists refer you to a
specialist, your understanding of the problem and decision for
treatment is vital in determining a specialized dental plan. The
plan for your dental health and your general dentist's overall goals
often depend on these specialized resources.
When you are referred to a dental
specialist, he or she becomes a part of your dental team. Although
your specialist will give you information about the reasons for the
referral and the treatment, there are also some active steps you can
take to increase your participation in the treatment and healing
process.
A query of dental specialists indicates that there are some
questions that they would like you to ask to enhance the treatment
outcomes they seek as a result of your dental plan. Answers to the
following questions will often augment the information provided by
your general dentist and enable you to clarify any further questions
you may have about the specialized treatment you are receiving.
- What is the cause of the condition that you are treating?
- What treatment gives you the best overall outcome and how will
it help you?
- What can you do after treatment to help the healing process?
- What can you do to control the condition in the future or make
sure it doesn't happen again?
These four questions will help you gain insight into the disease
process that led to the need for dental care treatment and the
prevention and self-care measures you can incorporate into your life
to avoid future problems. With this information, you can also work
with your general dentist and the dental team to maintain your
dental health plan.
Specialized dental care for your dental needs is one of the ways
the new dentistry has brought innovations in diagnosis and treatment
to benefit consumers.
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