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How to advocate for yourself at the dentist

If you feel like you’re seeing a dental office on every street corner, you’re not wrong. Corporate dentistry is growing as a delivery model for dental care.

Just two decades ago, more than 90% of dentists owned their own practices. Today, that number has dropped to about 75% as more younger dentists, women and people of color opt to join a DSO — dental support organization. The thinking is that a DSO takes care of the business side of running a practice so dentists can concentrate on their patients.

One of the unfortunate side effects of this trend is that you may not see the same dentist. This can have an impact on continuity of care when someone new is always peering into your mouth.

That said, there’s no clear evidence that dental care delivered by a DSO is any different from that delivered by a solo practitioner. But in a world where it’s unlikely that you will see the same dentist over a period of years, I think it is important to practice self-advocacy, just as you would at any other medical appointment.

Dr. Amit Kumar, a dentist with Smile More Today in Vernon Hills, recommends preparing for dental appointments with some of these key questions and concerns:

Check that the practice accepts your dental insurance. This is particularly important for those with Medicare Advantage plans, which often include dental, or stand-alone plans as a Medicare supplement.

Be ready to share any pain or sensitivity you may be experiencing. When you call to make the appointment you may be asked if you have any particular concerns; if not, volunteer that information while you’re with the dentist.

If you have fears about going to the dentist, share those as well. “Speak up about your pain tolerance and preferences,” Kumar says. “Dentists can offer various options, such as local anesthetics, sedation, or numbing gels to make procedures more comfortable.”

Also ask about X-rays. Some in the dental field believe X-rays are way overused, exposing patients needlessly to radiation (even if the dosage is very small). Data reveals that the number of dental X-rays performed annually exceeds the number of Americans. The American Dental Association recommends that X-rays be taken only after the dentist has done an examination.

If X-rays are performed, be sure to ask the dentist to look at them with you and explain what they’re seeing. “A good dentist will take the time to explain things in terms you understand,” Kumar says.

There should be a written treatment plan outlining a schedule, benefits and drawbacks, and your potential costs so you can make an informed decision and not feel pressured into taking action. “Don’t hesitate to ask for alternatives or inquire about the necessity of each step in the plan,” he says.

The treatment plan should show what your insurance will cover and what you will be expected to pay. These are sometimes eye-opening figures, running into thousands of dollars. (And they wonder why a lot of people want to avoid going to the dentist!) Many practices offer payment plans if you can’t cover the costs up front. You might also be able to schedule the procedures over a period of months to spread out the cost.

Like you, your dentist would rather prevent problems than fix them later, so ask about at-home care: proper brushing, mouth rinses, flossing, dietary recommendations. Our gums usually recede as we age, so avoiding gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is critical to oral health. Hate to floss? Too bad. Do it anyway.

Finally, Kumar recommends knowing when to seek a second opinion. “If a recommended treatment seems invasive, costly or unnecessary, consider getting a second opinion from another dentist,” he says. “A good dentist will respect your desire to ensure you’re getting the right care for your situation.”

I recently advocated for myself when I insisted my dentist do some X-rays for new tooth pain. He found an abscess in a lower molar and started talking about tooth extraction, bone graft and implant. Second opinion time! I went to an oral surgeon, who reviewed the X-rays and sent me to an endodontist, who said all I needed was a redo of an old root canal. This is why second opinions from experts are so important, especially since dental insurance barely covers anything.

Corporate dentistry is making it harder to build and maintain trust with a longtime dental provider. Protect yourself by practicing advocacy in the dentist’s chair.

• Teri (Dreher) Frykenberg is a board-certified patient advocate. A critical care registered nurse for 30+ years, she is founder of NShore Patient Advocates (www.NorthShoreRN.com). Her book, “How to Be a Healthcare Advocate for Yourself & Your Loved Ones,” is available on Amazon. She is offering a free phone consultation to Daily Herald readers; email her at teri@northshorern.com.

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