My goal is always to put the patient in control of their own dental care. I want to educate them so they truly understand what’s happening and can make their own choices. Often, patients come to me feeling like they don’t have a choice—they were told they need some treatment and that there’s no other way. However, that’s simply not true. They always have a choice.
I believe that one of the most important duties of a dentist is to really communicate with their patients. After all, the patient’s dental issues are their issues. They have the right to understand them and make informed decisions.
Thus, I sit with patients for as long as necessary until all of their questions are answered. Sometimes, this can take 45 minutes! However, to me it’s vital. If a patient truly understands what’s happening with their own oral health, they can do something about it and they’re in the driver’s seat. If they don’t understand it for themselves, that’s when the frustration and anxiety sets in. And that’s not good for anyone.