Question 9 

 

My dentist is recommending  something I know nothing about. What should I do?

Ask questions. It sounds simple enough, but sometimes we feel embarrassed to ask simple questions. There is no need to feel that way. You will feel much better, and be able to make a better decision, if you understand the dental procedure that is recommended to you. If you don't say anything, your dentist may think that you already understand.

Here are some tips when asking questions. Ask:

- if you can see any pictures of the procedure or what it looks like when it is done;

- how many times your dentist has done this procedure in the past;

- how much it will cost;

- how long it will take;

- if it will need to be redone in the future;

- if there are alternatives to the procedure and if so, what are the pros and cons of each option.

The final decision about how and when to proceed with any treatment is yours. To help you understand, the dentist may give you some printed material to read or may suggest that you call the national or provincial dental association for more information.

If you have already left the dental office without asking questions, call back later. Be careful about getting information from unknown sources, including those on the Internet. Some of it may not be reliable.

If, after all of your questions have been answered, you are still uncertain, you may wish to get a second opinion from another dentist. Often, this will give you the confidence that your dentist has planned the right treatment for you.