Very few people enjoy going to the dentist. Most people really enjoy nice clean teeth
and a fresh mouth 
though.
A regular visit to the dentist is a very important part of
taking care of your self. If you have
ever had a sore tooth or an abscess you will agree that regular visits to the
dentist are well worth your time. Seeing
a dentist regularly can help prevent a lot of pain later on.
Most people try to visit the dentist once a year. If you have dental care insurance your
insurer may pay for more frequent visits (once every 6 months for example).
Make sure you arrange a way to get to your dentist’s office
and back home. You will need to know
the dentist’s street address before you make travel arrangements. Will you need a caregiver/facilitator to
attend the appointment with you? Be
sure to arrange this well in advance.
You will need to use the telephone to arrange to be picked
up. Be prepared to give your home
address, the time you need to be picked up and the address of where you are
going.
It is helpful if you prepare yourself before visiting the
dentist. If you are having any problems
with your teeth or pain in your mouth make sure you have a way to tell the
dentist about it. This may mean writing
it out ahead of time or having a friend or caregiver write it for you.
You will need a way to describe your concerns to the dentist and his/her assistant on your communication device, book or board.
Check the word list (link to word board) to help you think of words
you may want to use at the dentist.
Have mercy on the dental assistant or hygienist who cleans
and prepares your teeth for the dentist to examine. Be sure to brush your teeth very well before you go to the
dentist’s office. A little mouthwash
goes a long way!
Your communication device and backup book or board if you
have one.
A friend or caregiver as support if you feel that would be
helpful
The dentist will want to know if you are having any problems
with your teeth. To make the most of
your visit to the dentist be sure you have thought about all of your
concerns ahead of time. Make sure
you have a way to tell him/her about your concerns.
Write down your questions and worries, prepare words on your
communication device or have a friend make a list with you before you go if you
can.
It is a good idea to ask your dentist to write down his/her
answers to your questions and concerns.
It is very hard to remember all that a dentist may tell you
in his/her office. This is especially
true if you are worried or upset.
You may want your dentist to call someone to discuss any
follow-up care you need at home.
Be prepared to give the dentist or his/her assistant the
name and phone number of anyone you might ask him/her to call (link to the sample
information card).
The doctor may decide to write a prescription for you. This means he/she would like you to take the
written prescription to a pharmacist.
Read about visiting a pharmacist. (link to Pharmacist toolkit)
The more prepared you are, the better you can tell your
doctor what you need help with. It is
important to prepare yourself ahead of time.
That way you do not waste great social or work time visiting the dentist
more than you need to.
When you arrive at the dentist you
need to let the receptionist know you have arrived. You may wish to have a card that has all of your personal
information on it to hand to the receptionist (link to sample information card). That way the receptionist has a way to
contact you after you leave if he/she needs to.
Sometimes there are questions to answer before you even get
into the dentist’s examining room.
Be sure you have a way to tell the receptionist your name,
phone number and address. She/he may
ask you questions about your health.
These are usually questions you can answer either “yes” or “no”. If you have an existing medical condition be
sure that you are able to tell the receptionist or dental assistant. This is especially important if you have
something that is contagious (AIDS) or something that affects your blood (like
Diabetes or Hemophilia).
Once you have “checked in” with the receptionist you will
probably have to wait. They usually
have a specially designed and very bo
ring room for this wait called a “waiting room”. Too bad they don’t have a “music room” or a
“games room” for the wait.
When your name is called you go into the dentist’s examining
room. This is where you would tell any concerns
you have with your teeth or mouth. The
dental assistant or dental hygienist will write down any of your concerns. She/he usually also cleans your teeth before
the dentist comes in. The assistant
will tell you exactly what you need to do during this part of your visit.
If they need to x-ray your teeth this is done right in the
dentist’s examination room. You will
probably need to wear a very heavy apron to protect your body from the X-ray,
if you have a friend or family member with you they will be asked to leave the
room just while the x-ray is being taken.
No one wants to be exposed to more x-rays than they need.
If you are having any dental work done the dentist will
probably “freeze” or anesthetize your mouth.
There is a minor sting while he/she gives you a little needle in your
mouth. It will cause your mouth to
become very numb and tingly. You 
will feel like you have a very fat lip (it doesn’t
actually look like it feels).
When you are ready to leave there are two important things
to talk with the receptionist about:1. payment and 2.
the time and date of your next appointment.
To be treated as an independent adult in your
community. Being prepared to communicate your own
wants and needs from the very first contact. This increases your chance of
being viewed, from the start, as a capable, responsible adult.
To have all questions and responses directed
to you, not the facilitator or caregiver who accompanies you.
To be treated with respect and dignity
The dentist is paid to care for you. Even though your insurance
of disability pension provider may be paying for your visit it is important to
understand that the dentist is being paid well to care for you. It is
reasonable to expect to be treated with respect and dignity. Don’t accept
anything less.
Arrange for transportation there and back
well in advance
Call ahead for a caregiver to accompany you
if necessary
Prepare your communication device or board
with words and phrases you will need at the dentist’s office
Write down or program your questions for the
dentist before you go
Bring your favorite magazine or book to help
with the wait
Have a way to tell the dentist who to call
with special directions and/or instructions if you are worried about
remembering them all yourself.
Have your preferred pharmacy and it’s
location written down or on your device/board or information card
Fill out an information card to ensure the
dentist is left with important contact information after you leave.