Each person has their own needs and desires when it comes to the personality and demeanor of their healthcare professionals.  These factors are crucial in creating an environment of comfort and safety during appointment times, but they are not at all determining factors in the competence and skill of a dentist or his staff.  In fact, I have met more great dentists who were not friendly than great dentists who were.

Just because a dentist is nice, kind, and compassionate doesn’t necessarily mean he is skillful, competent, or wise. However, no one wants high quality work from a stick-in-the-mud.  Balance is the key and educating yourself in these few easy concepts will ensure that you get nice and kind along with skill and competence.

 1. The Examination
The dental examination is the starting place for all dental patients and as such, is an important tool in helping you as a patient decide whether the dentist working in your mouth is doing a worthy job. 

First of all, a good examination should last more than just five minutes.  This is the time that the doctor uses to gather as much information about your mouth as possible and depending on the reasons behind your visit and exam could take up to 2 hours; a good average is 45 minutes.

Second, without a comprehensive understanding of your teeth, jaw joints, and surrounding tissue (muscles of mastication, gingiva, buccal mucosa) there is no foundation for treatment.  Even a simple tooth ache cannot be effectively diagnosed or treated without this vital information. Just remember this: there are reasons behind every pain or sensitivity, every joint pop, worn tooth, and headache.  If your dentist doesn’t know what the cause is, don’t count him out as long as he keeps searching for a reason.

With that in mind, here are some things that are included in a complete initial dental examination. 

  • Appropriate Radiographs
  • Oral Cancer Screening
  • Periodontal Screening and Recording
  • Tooth Exam
  • Palpation of Masticatory Muscles and TMJ’s
  • Occlusal Exam
  • Impressions of both Upper and Lower Teeth
  • Bite Registration Record and Facebow Transfer

*These topics will be discussed in detail in future articles.  For now, just familiarize yourself with the terms.*

2.  The Treatment
Gathering information is only one part to this equation.  The interpretation and use of this information is equally important.  There are two considerations when deciding whether the treatment being offered is valid and well planned. 

First, what reasons does the dentist have to support his proposed treatment?  Is he saying things like “We’ll try this and see if it works,” or “This will most likely take care of the problem”?  These statements are alright if reversible treatment is being considered but guesswork is never meant to take the place of a concrete diagnosis and should never be the basis for irreversible treatment.  The old saying holds true; once you’ve started, you can never go back.

Second, ask yourself if what the dentist is saying sounds right.  If you have any reservations about the proposed course of action, even if it is something simple, stop and get clarity.  Make sure your reservations are addressed.  If the answers don’t make logical sense, then it is silly to move forward.  You are autonomous and no one knows better than you what treatment is right.  Like I said above, there are reasons behind every dental problem and guessing just doesn’t need to be done. If your reservations cannot be resolved, then it is time to move on. 

Summary:
These are some elementary guidelines that have been generalized as a primer of sorts.  Future articles will educate you as to the specifics of harmonized dental function and a range of dental pathoses and will add to your knowledge allowing you to take control of your oral health and make decisions with all wisdom and confidence.

*These articles are informational only and are not meant to supplement actual treatment.  The linked websites are not affiliated with A Blog Apart or its authors and the ideas expressed do not necessarily represent the views of this author.  Links were provided for definition or illustrative purposes only.*