7 Things to Ask the Dentist Before Your Appointment

A lot has changed in the dental health care industry. You'll want to make sure that you understand all of your treatment options and know what to expect at the office before you sit down for an appointment with a dentist.

When you're calling different dentists in the Rock Hill, SC area, make sure you remember to ask these 7 important questions.

1. Do You Have an Area of Expertise?

It's possible to find a general dentist that can take care of basic dental needs, but there are a wide array of specialties within the dental field. If you're going to the dentist to address a specific issue or to fulfill a need, finding a specialist may be best.

You could have children and may need a special dentist that specializes in family medicine and can help kids that are nervous about seeing the dentist for the first time.

People that are concerned about braces and orthodontic work may want to find someone that can handle making fast braces. Someone that's interested in appearance may be happier with a cosmetic dentist.

2. What Kind of Insurance Do You Accept?

Finding a dentist that works with your insurance provider is important for everyone that's looking for dental help.

Dental health care can be expensive. You'll want to make sure you can afford to pay for dental services before you start any kind of procedure.

If you go to a dentist that's out of your provider network, your insurance company may not honor the work being done. That could result in your paying significant out of pocket costs.

3. How Big Is Your Staff?

It isn't unusual for some doctors to work with a very small staff. Going to a practice that only has the bare minimum amount of employees could cause problems for you.

All it takes is one overbooked appointment or a long procedure to throw off a day's schedule. You won't want to be stuck at an office than only has one person that can help you.

Be sure to look for an office that has multiple hygienists that can take care of routine work. That can make it easier for you to get seen on time regardless of how busy the doctor is.

4. Do You Offer Payment Plans?

Many dentists are well aware of the high cost of dental care. This is why some may offer a variety of payment plans that can help you get the work you need done.

Some plans may allow people to pay off the money they owe over time with a series of installment payments. Others may be able to help you find private loans and other financing options.

5. Can You Tell Me About Your Waiting Room?

This may seem like a trivial question to ask, but people with kids and busy schedules will want to learn a bit about amenities the office offers.

Busy parents may have to bring in a sibling while their brother or sister gets work done. If you're coming to the office during the workday, it would be nice to know if you could get some things done while you wait.

Some offices have waiting rooms that are designed to keep kids happy and relaxed when they're at the office. Providing toys and a few video games can help kids associate positive feelings with the dentist and can keep them entertained.

You may want to ask ahead of time if the office�gives patients�wi-fi access, or if there are quiet areas people could use to make phone calls.

6. How Do You Handle Uncomfortable Patients?

You may have had a bad experience at the dentist that left you with a lifelong fear of dentists. It's possible that you're feeling nervous about coming in to see a dentist after not seeing one for so many years.

If you're nervous about seeing the dentist, you shouldn't be afraid to let them know that before your appointment.

We can guarantee you that almost any dentist you come across will have heard of every dental related fear you can mention. Some will have plans worked out to treat people that are nervous about getting dental work done.

Some dentists perform sedation dentistry�so they can work while you sleep through the procedure. Others may offer to give you more information about procedures so that you feel more comfortable with what's being done.

7. Are You Open on Weekends?

It would be great if everyone could make time for a dental appointment during the week, but that can be easier said than done for some people.

You may not be able to get time off of work for the next few months and could be due for a check-up. Your child may have already missed a few days of school this year and you don't want them to miss any more time.

Some people may find it easier to schedule an appointment on a Saturday. It's possible that some doctors may be willing to come in during the weekend if they're given enough notice.