Patient Guides
Questions to Ask Before Starting Dental Treatment
Informed consent is a conversation, not a signature. These questions are the ones that most often change how a plan is understood.
5 min read · Dental Education Resource by Dr. Marianna Zadov, DDS
About the diagnosis
Start with what is actually wrong, and how confident the diagnosis is.
- What exactly is the problem, and how was it identified?
- Can you show me on the radiograph or camera image?
- Is this urgent, or is it something we could monitor?
- What happens if I do nothing for six months?
About the proposed treatment
Then move to what is being suggested and why this option in particular.
- What does the procedure involve, step by step?
- How many appointments, and how long is each?
- What are the alternatives, including the more conservative ones?
- What are the risks and common complications?
- How much natural tooth structure is removed?
About cost and timing
Ask for a written treatment plan with itemised costs, including likely additional items such as radiographs or a nightguard. Ask what is not included, what happens if more work is found once treatment starts, and whether the work can be staged over time if needed.
About afterwards
Ask what recovery is like, what you should avoid, when you can return to normal eating and work, what would count as a problem worth calling about, and who to contact outside office hours.
Also ask about longevity and maintenance: how long this type of work typically lasts, what shortens it, and what happens when it eventually needs attention.
It is reasonable to take time
Except in genuine emergencies, you can take a treatment plan away, read it and return with questions. Seeking a second opinion is normal practice for extensive or irreversible work, and a confident clinician will not be offended by it.
Key points
- Ask to see the evidence behind the diagnosis.
- Always ask what the more conservative alternatives are.
- Get an itemised written plan, including what is excluded.
- Taking time, or seeking a second opinion, is normal for major work.