5 Questions To Ask Your New Dentist At Your First Appointment
Are you looking for a new trustworthy dentist for you and your family? Switching dental care providers can be overwhelming and often dental anxiety doesn't occur until after you've already scheduled an appointment or seen the current provider.
You may have many concerns like, how do you trust this dentist to make sure the dentist is not pushing unnecessary procedures that you don't need? Will the treatment plan they suggest be suitable for me? Will they help me maintain healthy teeth?
When it comes to dentist appointments, it’s important to find a dentist you feel comfortable with. Trusting your dentist is essential to have the best dental experience possible.
Once you've identified a dentist that is suitable for you, you should confirm that they accept new patients and accept your dental insurance, and have a date set for your first appointment at their dental office. Don't hesitate to ask questions during this time.
There are a few questions that you may want to be prepared to ask during your first dental visit to your new dentist. Dr. George Orfaly, of Fisher & Orfaly Dental Clinic, Salem, MA, has prepared a list of questions to help you be more comfortable with your new dentist:
How long have you been working in a dental practice?
Don't be afraid to ask your dentist about the degree of their experience. The longer a dentist has been in practice, the more experienced they are likely to be. This is important because it can help you feel better about your treatment and also ensure that any dental procedures will go well with no issues later down the line!
You could also ask them how long they've been providing any specific dental care or treatment you're specifically seeking, such as cosmetic dentistry, to get a better idea about their level of experience in any dental care or treatments you're specifically looking for.
The team of Fisher & Orfaly Dental Clinic has been serving the community of Salem, MA for 45 years. Dr. George Orfaly has been a trusted family dentist for years, and he has consistently improved the lives of his patients by providing them comfort, confidence, and healthy teeth. But don’t just take our word for it, check out what our patients have to say:
I could not be any more fortunate and grateful for Dr. George Orfaly accepting me recently as a new patient! I switched over from my previous provider in a nearby community after receiving subpar care and at risk of losing two teeth. He and the entire team at Fisher & Orfaly Dental have made my transition a smooth and comfortable one, setting me at ease and swiftly on the path to a promising prognosis! I also know that both Dr. Orfaly and Dr. Fisher care a great deal about the community beyond the walls of their practice, too, both quite supportive of local nonprofit and charitable efforts. This all makes me feel wonderful about being a patient, one of the best decisions I've ever made. You and your family should consider switching to Fisher & Orfaly!
Needed a new dentist in Salem, picked Dr. Orfaly by location. I met him before agreeing to my first appointment, and so far, have been very happy. I'm a curious sob, and credit Dr Orfaly for being patient with my atmospheric river of questions. He knows how to relate to patients, and seems to be on top of his game. Highly recommend.
Everything about my dental experience is professional and considerate.
Made you feel comfortable, right from the start. Definitely five stars found my new dentist!
I have been a patient of Fisher & Orfaly for many years now. But recently, my whole family moved to the practice. Their approach has always been kind, caring and practical.
I could not be any more fortunate and grateful for Dr. George Orfaly accepting me recently as a new patient! I switched over from my previous provider in a nearby community after receiving subpar care and at risk of losing two teeth. He and the entire team at Fisher & Orfaly Dental have made my transition a smooth and comfortable one, setting me at ease and swiftly on the path to a promising prognosis! I also know that both Dr. Orfaly and Dr. Fisher care a great deal about the community beyond the walls of their practice, too, both quite supportive of local nonprofit and charitable efforts. This all makes me feel wonderful about being a patient, one of the best decisions I've ever made. You and your family should consider switching to Fisher & Orfaly!
Needed a new dentist in Salem, picked Dr. Orfaly by location. I met him before agreeing to my first appointment, and so far, have been very happy. I'm a curious sob, and credit Dr Orfaly for being patient with my atmospheric river of questions. He knows how to relate to patients, and seems to be on top of his game. Highly recommend.
Everything about my dental experience is professional and considerate.
Made you feel comfortable, right from the start. Definitely five stars found my new dentist!
I have been a patient of Fisher & Orfaly for many years now. But recently, my whole family moved to the practice. Their approach has always been kind, caring and practical.
What is the state of my current dental health?
When you book a dental appointment with the dentist, it’s always important to ask about your oral health. During a dental exam, the dentist will check your oral cavity for any signs of tooth decay or gum disease. You'll be examined for any lesions, wounds, bumps, cavities, buildup of plaque, tarter, or signs of teeth grinding. They’ll evaluate your overall dental health and provide you with a proper diagnosis. Once this is done, they’ll discuss your possible dental treatment options. It's a good time to talk to your dentist about anything related to your current oral health, including any ways you can improve it.
What is causing my dental health problem and how much will it cost to fix it?
If you’re visiting a dentist because of a concern or condition, then your dentist should help you feel as comfortable as possible, including giving you as much information as they can. Being aware of the root cause of your oral health issues will help you avoid any actions that might disrupt your health. It is also possible to be aware of how much the dental treatment plan will cost and why. This will help you feel less anxious about the cost of the treatment and will build trust between you and your new dentist.
To help you feel comfortable and confident in the dentist's office, they should give accurate information about what is going on. This way there aren't any surprises later down the line when it is time for the treatment plans or the cost of services to be rendered. A dentist who wishes to build long-term relationships with their patients will give comprehensive and detailed answers to these questions.
How can we work with each other to improve my dental health?
For a beautiful smile, dental health is an important topic to discuss with your new dentist. Your dentist can make a big difference in your dental health by working with you to improve it. You and your dentist can work together to get the best dental health possible. Your teeth and gums deserve the best care, so it's always good practice for you both to work together towards achieving that goal! When you have a new dentist, share your routine with them like brushing and flossing, and how often you do so. Make sure to be completely honest and ask any questions you may have. You can get the necessary guidelines about brushing teeth. You can also ask about what kind of toothbrush is best for good oral hygiene or how often you should replace it. You can even ask your new dentist to demonstrate correct flossing techniques.
How can I improve my dental health through diet and hygiene?
To ensure the best possible dental care and a healthy smile, it's important to maintain a healthy diet and regular oral hygiene practices.
If you're having trouble keeping up with your oral hygiene routine, ask your dentist about ways you might be able to improve your daily routine to better support any dental treatments or issues you may have. What foods may impact the health of your teeth? What daily habits will improve your dental health? Your dentist may be able to recommend specific changes that will help them to treat or maintain your dental health.
Getting to know and trust your new dentist takes time. So don’t be shy. You should definitely ask a new dentist any questions you can think of! So, before you go to see a dentist, make sure you've got a list of all your dental questions ready. The right dentist will appreciate your thoughtful investment in your dental health.
At Fisher & Orfaly Dental Clinic, Salem, MA, we encourage our patients to ask any and all questions they may have and we do our best to answer them. We do our best to help all our patients maintain their beautiful smiles and healthy teeth.
I was not a fan of going to the dentist! One might say afraid… but thanks to the amazing team at Fisher & Orfaly I am back on track with my 6 month cleanings. The team did an amazing job calming my fears and I can actually say I may even enjoy going to the dentist now! The team is professional, accommodating, and they do a fabulous job cleaning my teeth! I am so grateful that they have me back on track with great dental habits. They certainly have given me something to smile about.
Who likes to go to the dentist? Fear no more. Dr. Orfaly and his staff provide an environment of ease and professionalism that relieve the jitters that so many feel during visits to the dentist. Whether a routine check up or more complex procedure, our experiences have been most positive.
I am someone who has been terrified of the Dentist from a very young age, but after seeing Dr. Orfaly and his team over the past couple of months I have 100% gotten over my fears. I have never felt more comfortable and taken care of by the staff. Everyone is so nice and down to earth they make you feel welcome! Dr. Orfaly even came in on a day they were closed because I was having extreme tooth pain, and he totally fixed the problem, I will never forget that. I’m so happy I decided to go to Fischer & Orfaly, best decision I’ve ever made!
Dr Orfaly is the best dentist around! I have alot of anxiety around going to the dentist & Dr Orfaly always makes sure to check in to see how I'm doing & is so nice. If a referral is needed to a specialist, he makes the call for you & gets you an appt quickly (mine was even the same day) I love how they book you with the same dental hygienist for all cleanings.. Adds another level of comfort... Shoutout to mine, Kathy!! 😊
Before coming to Fisher & Orflay my daughter hated coming to the dentist, she now looks forward to her appointments fully knowing and understanding every procedure being done. They make her visits pleasant each and every time, providing excellent service with the help of their friendly and knowledgeable staff.
After many years of neglecting my my teeth due to fear of the dentist my dental issues got bad enough that I had no choice but to adress them. I randomly selected Fisher & Orfaly and am very glad that I did. Dr Orfaly did a great job while making sure I was as comfortable as possible.After completing the initial, extensive repairs my mouth looks and feels great. In the 10 years since I first visited I had had no new major work needed. Even better, I can walk into the office without that sense of dread that is familiar to so many people.
