How to Become Your Dentist’s Favorite Patient

Were you a teacher’s pet in elementary school? Did you become overly excited when chosen as the class helper? If so, you can relive those glorious moments of yesteryear as an adult. Become your dentist’s favorite patient and experience a phenomenal dental experience and lots of kudos and thanks. When you make it on this list, dental visits become easier and more enjoyable, ensuring you get the best care possible. If you want a beautiful, healthy smile for a lifetime and a little extra praise, use the tips below to become a favorite patient on your dentist’s list.

Arrive on Time For Appointments

Respect your dentist’s time by arriving on time for all scheduled appointments. Life happens. If unforeseen circumstances cause you to run late, give the office a call for a heads-up. When patients arrive on time, it benefits the dentist and other patients who won’t need to wait around to be seen. My family dentist in Oakville recommends arriving 10 – 15 minutes early so there’s enough time to complete paperwork and acclimate to the environment.

Keep Your Appointments

Patients should arrive for dental appointments on time, but should also keep their appointments. If you cannot make it in, call the office to reschedule. Failing to show up for an appointment may result in a charge. When you miss dental visits, the dentist loses money. It is inconsiderate of the dentist’s time, and a good way to put yourself on the naughty list. Visiting the dentist once every six months is the best oral care tip to keep your smile beautiful and healthy.

Brush Your Teeth Regularly

Brush your teeth twice a day, every day. Use fluoridated toothpaste and soft-bristle toothbrush for two minutes each time you brush. Don’t forget to floss once daily to remove particles stuck between the teeth that regular brushing misses. When your dentist examines your mouth, he can tell if you brush regularly. Don’t try to pull the wool over his head. Brushing regularly is the single best way to maintain a healthy smile free of cavities, bad berth, and other concerns.

Be Honest With Your Dentist

Honesty is the best policy; your dentist is like Santa Claus and knows when you’ve been good or bad at oral care. Might as well tell the truth and allow his expertise to guide you in the right direction with better treatment and advice tailored to your needs. Trust us, the dentist will know if you aren’t taking care of your oral health, if you miss brushing twice a day, or forego flossing. He’ll know if you consume a healthy diet and if you value your oral health as soon as he examines your mouth. Your dentist appreciates honesty when it comes to your dental health.

Ask Questions

Ask questions about your dental health and treatment. Your dentist appreciates your willingness to learn about and better protect your oral health. When you ask questions, you get honest, straightforward answers designed to protect your smile. Why Google dental information that could be inaccurate when your dentist has truthful information?

Follow Your Dentist’s Advice

It can be frustrating when a friend asks for advice and ignores everything you tell them. Imagine how a licensed, trained, dedicated expert in the dental field feels when patients ignore his recommendations. Earn a spot on your dentist’s list of favorites by heeding his advice and recommendations. Following his advice can make a big difference in your overall oral care.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

The food you eat affects your teeth and oral care. A diet high in sugar can lead to cavities, gum disease, discolored teeth, and other problems. Limit intake of sugar to reduce the risk of dental and other physical health problems. Replace sugar with vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and dairy, all of which help build strong, healthy teeth. When you consume healthy, good-for-you foods, telling your dentist what you eat with pride is simple.

Bring Your Insurance Card & Payment

Whether you pay for dental services with insurance alone, cash or credit, or a combination of the two, be prepared to pay for services when they are rendered. Nothing is worse than a patient who arrives without their insurance cards or payment information readily available. Like the rest of the world, dentists and their staff depend on payment to keep food on the table and the office doors open and running efficiently. Be a good patient and come prepared.

Be Kind & Considerate

Everyone deserves respect and kindness, even when you visit the dentist when you’re in a hurry, bothered by a toothache, or upset by the cost of dental treatment. If you want a dentist who eagerly treats your oral health, treat the entire staff with kindness, consideration, and respect.

Provide Feedback

Feedback from patients helps dentists and staff feel good about the long days they put in every day. It shows them areas where they excel and those where improvement is needed. Giving feedback after your appointment is a great way to improve the dental practice and your dental experience, and perhaps even make someone’s day a little better. Additionally, providing feedback leaves a good impression on your dentist, nudging you even closer to his favorites list.

Refer Friends and Family

Word-of-mouth is one-way dentists attract new customers to their practice. If you are satisfied with your dentist and feel the practice is worthy of praise, help them by recommending the clinic to your family and friends. Everyone wins when you make a recommendation since your loved ones receive great care, and the dentist earns a new patient.

Become a Gold-Star Dental Patient

When you keep appointments, arrive on time, and heed recommendations, your dentist likes you much more. When you yearn for a spot on his list of favorite patients, follow the advice here and you’ll be there in no time. Your dentist appreciates patients like you.