Four Questions Your Dental Specialist Wishes You Would Ask

By Brian J. Gray, DDS, MAGD, FICOI

The technology and treatment options for consumers of dental care have greatly improved over the last 20 years. The new dentistry now provides us with the opportunity of maintaining our natural teeth throughout our lives. One of the ways this is accomplished is by referral to a specialist to treat specific dental problems. When your dentist refers you to a specialist, your understanding of the problem and decision for treatment is vital. Your plan for your dental health and your general dentist's overall goals often depend on these specialized resources.

When you are referred to a specialist, he or she becomes a part of your dental team. Although your specialist will give you information about the reasons for the referral and the treatment, there are also some active steps you can take to increase your participation in the treatment and healing process. A query of specialists in the different dental specialty areas indicates that there are some questions that they would like you to ask to enhance the treatment outcomes they seek. Answers to the following questions will often augment the information provided by your general dentist and enable you to clarify any further questions you may have about the specialized treatment you are receiving.

1. What is the cause of the condition that you are treating?
2. What treatment gives me the best overall outcome and how will it help me?
3. What can I do after treatment to help the healing process?
4. What can I do to control the condition in the future or make sure it doesn't happen again?

These four questions will help you gain insight into the disease process that led to treatment and the prevention and self-care measures you can incorporate into your life to avoid future problems. With this information, you can also work with your general dentist and the dental team to maintain your plan for dental health.

Specialized care for our dental needs is one of the ways the new dentistry has brought innovations in diagnosis and treatment to benefit consumers.