How would you feel if you went to a teacher parent conference and never actually talked to your child’s teacher? Maybe you talked to the office staff, the lunch team, and the custodian, but your child’s homeroom teacher never even showed up.
Well, think of your orthodontist as your kiddo’s homeroom teacher. If you go in for a braces consultation and meet the front desk staff, the assistants, and everyone except the doctor himself, you’ve just wasted a visit.
Here are 5 reasons why you need to not just meet, but get to know your future orthodontist before signing up for treatment.
1. Build trust
Trust is a key ingredient in medical care. Whether it’s braces, therapy, or heart surgery, you want to know, like, and trust the person who will be treating you. If you don’t trust your orthodontist, you’re going to be a lot less comfortable letting him mess around with you or your kid’s teeth—and you should be. Spending a few minutes talking with your orthodontist before starting treatment can help you decide whether or not he’s trustworthy.
2. Make sure it’s worth the investment
Getting braces is a big investment of both time and money. One of the best ways to be sure you’re getting your money’s worth and not wasting your time is to meet your orthodontist before starting treatment. Ask questions about his background, your treatment plan, and anything else on your mind. If your orthodontist won’t even meet with you, that’s a sure sign that he’s not willing to put in as much time as you are.
3. Know what you’re getting into
Your orthodontist isn’t just someone you’ll see once a year. He’ll be the one guiding your braces treatment for the next 1-3 years, which means you’ll be spending a lot of time together. You wouldn’t commit to a long-term relationship with someone you’ve never even met, and you shouldn’t commit to an orthodontist until you’ve spoken with him.
4. Don’t get caught
Orthodontists should never pressure you into signing up for ortho treatment or getting same-day braces. If you feel pressured, especially if you haven’t even seen the doctor yet, that usually means the office cares more about closing a deal than they do about giving you or your kid successful treatment.
5. Choose an orthodontist who will see you every time
When it comes to braces, there’s no autopilot. At every appointment, your orthodontist should examine your braces and take time to speak with you. If he doesn’t, then there’s no guarantee that your treatment will be successful—or if it is, it will probably end up taking twice as long and being twice as messy. At OrthoArts, Dr. G sees every patient every time they come in. Period. From your first appointment to your last, he’ll always be there to guide your treatment, answer your questions, and be personally involved in you or your child’s orthodontics.
Learn more about all the ways Dr. G and the team at OrthoArts are committed to Bakersfield working families. Our goal is to make your path to a perfect smile swift, pleasant and affordable. Learn more about the ways to get started today.
