We Want You to Ask Why
We ask our fair share of questions when you’re in our chair. How are you feeling? Has anything been bothering you? Have you noticed any changes since we last saw you? But some of the most useful questions during an appointment are the ones you ask us:
- “Why do I need this?”
- “What are you seeing?”
- “Do we need to do something now?”
- “What are my options?”
We want you to ask those questions. In fact, we’d much rather spend a few extra minutes talking something through than have you leave our office wondering what we meant or why we recommended something.
Understanding the Why Matters
When we recommend treatment, there is a reason, and you deserve to understand it. Sometimes we’re trying to prevent a small problem from becoming a larger one. Sometimes we’re reinforcing a compromised tooth. Other times, we may decide that the best approach is simply to keep an eye on a spot and see whether it changes. Whatever the situation, understanding what we see and why it matters can help you feel more comfortable with the decisions you make about your dental health.
Ask About Your Options
Depending on your particular case, there may be different ways to approach a concern. Your options can also vary based on your oral health, long-term goals, preferences, and what you feel comfortable pursuing.
That’s where conversation becomes especially important. We can explain the possibilities and give you our professional recommendation, but we also want to hear what matters to you because that also matters to us.
Wait and See Vs. Act Now
If we point something out during an exam and tell you we want to monitor it, you may wonder why we aren’t treating it immediately. The answer is that not every change we see requires immediate treatment. Sometimes waiting to see if something more develops is the most appropriate approach. We’re always happy to explain what we’re monitoring, what we’ll be looking for in the future, and when we might recommend taking action.
There Are No Silly Questions
We don’t expect our patients to know clinical terminology, and we certainly understand if you didn’t absorb every detail of your diagnosis and treatment plan during our first conversation. If you’re curious, confused, concerned, or simply want more information, please say so. We’re always happy to explain or re-explain to help you understand. And if you think of the question five minutes after you leave, we’ll gladly answer that one too.
Open communication is an important part of the way we care for you. We want you to understand what we see, know your options, and make well-informed decisions about your dental health.
If you have questions about your oral health, schedule an appointment or call our office located in Wellington, FL.
