For many people, a visit to the dentist is very stressful. Because of this, they fail to think of many things they should discuss during their appointment. However, by taking some time a few days before the appointment to jot down concerns and questions, your stress level can be greatly reduced. By walking into an appointment knowing exactly what you will be discussing with your dentist, you’re likely to experience much better results. Therefore, if you’re preparing for a dental visit in Gardena, here is a checklist to make the experience pleasant and productive.
Make a List of Questions
First and foremost, always take some time a day or two before your appointment to make a list of pertinent questions you want to ask. This can include any pain you may be experiencing, such as with your teeth, gums, jaws, or even headaches that may be related to your dental health. Along with this, also write down questions about such things as teeth grinding, brushing and flossing, and products you may want more information about, such as toothpastes, mouthwash, or whitening strips.
Learn About the Office Environment
If you work in the entertainment industry, it’s very important to have a smile featuring white, straight teeth. Therefore, you may be visiting an orthodontist to get various types of treatments to straighten your teeth. But before your first visit, make sure you find out about the various services that are offered, such as the latest advances in orthodontics. Along with the office’s services, find out about the office environment itself. If possible, schedule a free consultation prior to making an appointment for services. Offered by more and more dental professionals, this will let you meet your doctor and their staff, as well as get a feel for the office environment itself. If you feel at all uncomfortable or uneasy, you may want to look elsewhere.
Always Have Medical and Insurance Information
As with a visit to any type of doctor, always make sure you have up-to-date medical and insurance information with you when you arrive for your appointment. This is extremely important for a variety of reasons, including medical and financial. For example, if you have dental insurance, some services may be fully covered, while others may require some out-of-pocket expenses. Also, if you are a new patient, the office will have you fill out a medical information sheet, with details about medications and any medical issues that could affect your dental treatment plan.
Verify Your Appointment
While most offices will call you to verify your appointment, don’t hesitate to contact them if you fail to hear anything within 24 hours of your appointment. Also, make sure you ask for directions if needed, since getting lost on the way to an appointment will make you even more nervous prior to arrival.
By taking care of these details prior to visiting your Gardena dentist or orthodontist, you’ll be able to arrive at your appointment, take a deep breath, and have a positive experience.
