How does a dentist earn your trust?

The relationship between a patient and a dentist is one of trust. As a patient, you want to feel confident that your dentist has your best interests at heart. This means they are providing necessary and appropriate care, fair and accurate billing, and careful handling of your personal information. Above all else, your dental team should be prioritizing your well-being and safety. So how can you feel assured they are doing so? Let’s take a closer look at how your dental team works to build your trust.

Keeping You Informed

As a patient, you have the right to make decisions about your own dental care. Your dental team should provide you with all the information you need to make informed choices about your treatment. Many providers use tools and visuals like X-rays, intraoral photos, models and videos to help you understand what’s going on in your mouth. As part of keeping you informed, your dentist should also be willing to provide you with copies of your records upon request.

Staying Educated

Your dentist has a duty to protect you from harm. This means keeping their skills and knowledge current. If a recommended treatment is outside your dentist’s scope of skill, they will refer you to a dental specialist, such as an oral surgeon or orthodontist. Many dentists spend numerous hours in continuing education each year to ensure they can provide the most advanced care.

Being a Professional

You should expect your dental team to conduct themselves professionally. This includes providing timely and competent dental care, being a leader within their community, and engaging in appropriate behavior both in and out of the dental practice.

Treating You as an Equal

You have a right to be treated fairly no matter who you are or where you come from. Your dental team should never discriminate based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin or disability.

Staying Honest

Being truthful is vital to keeping your trust. Your dentist should never present themselves, the care they provide, or the costs of that care in a false or misleading manner. This means your dentist will only recommend necessary and appropriate treatment, and explain the reasons for those recommendations. Your dental team should also take care not to overcharge or even undercharge you. All claims submitted to insurance should be accurate. 

We value the trust you put into our team each time you walk through our doors. We also understand that dental procedures can sometimes be complex, and it’s natural to have questions. Please don’t hesitate to ask our team about any aspect of your care, from treatment options to the technology or tools we use. We believe that open communication is key to a successful and comfortable experience.