It is always important to ask your dentist questions, as the answers will help bring you to a better state of dental health.  These questions generally will fall under one of three separate, yet equally important categories.  Below we will discuss these three categories, as well as some specific questions contained within and why they are important to ask.  Should you have any additional questions, we urge you to contact your dentist for more information.  Remember, “the only dumb question, is the one not asked.”

1)      Office Quality, and Atmosphere Questions
As you begin your research for a new dental office, you may discover that some dentists are pretty much the same.  They offer many of the same services, with similar experience and credentials, and are all equidistant from your home .  In an instance like this, how can you differentiate?
You can start by asking questions about the office atmosphere and how it meshes with your personal style.  Ask what time they open and close daily, or if they have weekend hours.  Ask is there is a penalty for missing an appointment or how they handle emergencies.  The answers to  these questions will help you gauge whether or not this office is right for you.  Additional observations will further clarify your opinion, as you see how the staff interacts with other patients.

2)      General or Personal Dental Health and Services Questions
Once you’ve selected a dentist that you are comfortable with, you need to be able to ask him/her questions about your own personal dental health.  What can I do to whiten my teeth?  Should I use waxed or un-waxed floss?  What can I do about this overbite I am developing?  Much like at any other physicians office, the answers to these questions are of the upmost importance to you.  After all, they are the professionals, and they are the ones with the answers.

3)      Financial Questions
Though not the most exciting category of questions, it is the most important.  A fantastic dentist or dental procedure isn’t any good if you can’t afford it, or can’t pay for it.  You need to be sure that your insurance is accepted by the office you wish to use, or that you have the money to pay for any procedure they perform.  A disregard for this group of questions will leave you in a heap of bills, wishing you had made another decision instead.