The idea of receiving a recommendation for medical care like dental treatment can be quite a stressful experience. For one thing, it either means that something is wrong with your health or you are at risk of this being so. It might also bring up some serious financial concerns. What if you don’t have insurance? What if you simply cannot afford the full amount right now – does this mean you will simply need to live with your health issue? What’s more, it can sometimes be difficult to parse or understand a medical issue since the human body is so complex.
Fortunately, there are several ways you can put your mind at ease and gain a better grasp of the situation before agreeing to move forward with treatment. Below are a few questions to ask.
Can you please explain the issue in more detail?
If your dentist is proposing a treatment plan, they should have already explained the situation to you. However, sometimes they can get caught up with technical language. You might also not have absorbed all the information no matter how clearly the issue was explained. When you ask for more clarity, your dentist might get into more specifics, use a helpful example or analogy or even provide additional visual aids such as a 3D scan (which is much easier to understand than a 2D X-ray). Doing so can help you better understand your situation so that you can make a fully informed decision.
Can you provide any educational materials?
Sometimes it can be difficult to remember everything your dentist explained. Obtaining educational materials that you can take home or find online will help you retain your grasp of the situation once you have left the office. Ideally, your dentist should be able to provide resources like one-sheets (single-page informational pamphlets about your issue), a written diagnosis of your specific case and even helpful videos about how the treatment will work. If your dentist does not have such resources on hand, it may be worth looking for a second opinion from someone who does. This way, you can confirm that the issue requires treatment and become better informed about it if it does.
What if I cannot afford the treatment right now?
The right dentist will be committed to helping you solve your oral health issues regardless of your financial situation. Therefore, they should have systems in place to help you receive the care you need even if finances are tight. For example, if you don’t have dental coverage, they might offer an in-house membership plan. These plans offer fairly comprehensive care and treatment options for a reasonable monthly or annual fee. They might also suggest a payment plan so that you can pay for treatment in increments without breaking the bank when you need care most.
If you wish to learn more about a Broomfield dental practice committed to educating patients and working with them regardless of their personal situation, contact Petersen Family Dentistry today! Give us a call at (720) 308–9798 or connect with us online.
