The First Time
It was my first time seeing him and I was nervous. As he walked towards me, questions raced through my mind. How much do I really know about this man? Is he really going to put that thing into my mouth? Did he wash it first? We’ve all been there but it doesn’t have to be so stressful. Check out these five things you need to know before your first time – going to the dentist!
Am I seeing the right person?
You don’t need an oral surgeon for a cleaning and a hygienist won’t be able to do much for that stubborn wisdom tooth. There are several types of dental specialists. Ask questions. Make sure your appointment is with someone who does the type of work you need.
Give them an education check up.
Each state has its own licensing requirements for dentists. A quick search will verify that your doctor has one. Just type “who licenses dentists in my state” into the search engine and click on the link for your state’s agency. Your local Better Business Bureau will tell you if there have been an unusual number of complaints. A doctor’s degree can usually be verified with the school. A little research will prevent a lot of pain.
Dental bills bite back!
There are many types of insurance plans. You can have an HMO, PPO, EPO, or many other types of coverage. Before you schedule an appointment, you should call your provider and make sure the dentist you want will take your plan. If not, you could end up paying most of the bill yourself. You also need to know how much your deductible and co payment are. Don’t let the cost make your wallet feel like it had a root canal!
Time is money.
Your dentist’s time is valuable and so is yours. Find out the correct time and date of your appointment, the exact location, and how long it will take to get there. It is also important to know the cancellation policy in case there is a change in your schedule. Some health care providers charge a fee for late cancellations and the cost can really add up.
Just say no to drug interactions!
It is important for all of your doctors, including your dentist, to know your medical history. This includes any medications you are taking. If you are having a procedure done or will be given any prescriptions this is especially important to prevent complications. If they don’t ask don’t assume they don’t need to know, especially if it’s your first time at this office. Assume they forgot to ask. It is also important to find out and follow any pre-procedure instructions.
And of course, always brush and floss regularly.