Get the most from vet visits: what questions to ask and how

Ever get home from a vet visit and realize you aren’t really sure when to start that medication or what exactly the next step is for your pet’s treatment? Happens all the time. Here’s how to get the information you need.

When I worked as a veterinary technician many years ago, pet parents asked questions all the time, but rarely to the veterinarian. Folks often acted embarrassed, or waited to telephone from home hours or days after the appointment. Perhaps they felt intimidated by the doctor or feared their questions were dumb. Maybe the busy schedule of the clinic offered little opportunity to ask.

Whatever the reason might be, remember that there are no stupid questions when it comes to your beloved cat and dog. As your pet’s top advocate, it’s up to you to arm yourself with expert advice and information to provide the best care possible. Here are some tips to be fear free when asking your vet questions.

Why You Should Ask Your Vet

My career as a veterinary technician began long before “Dr. Google” or “Alexa” answers. Today, some pet parents rely too much on the Internet to answer questions or only seek the opinions of friends. Even though I am not a vet, I often am asked pet health or care questions. Here’s what I say when ask about pet health or care concerns.

While some online resources like vet schools are terrific, they can offer only very general information and nothing specific about your pets. Your veterinarian has personally examined your dog and cat, possibly run additional tests, knows what treatments have already been tried, and has the most specific and detailed information available.

When To Ask Your Vet

The veterinarian may have a busy schedule, so plan ahead for your questions. The best time to ask questions is at the beginning of the exam. Ask follow-up questions at the end of the visit before the doctor leaves the room.

If you’ve researched from the Internet or friends, you may think you know what’s needed, but ask anyway. Your pet is unique and could have very different needs than Aunt Freda’s dog’s. Once the doctor has examined your pet and explained any treatment, be sure to ask for any necessary clarification before you leave the clinic.

How To Ask Your Vet

Very often it’s not what you ask, but how you ask that gets the most out of your veterinary visit. The staff may become frustrated by pet parents who base questions solely on “Dr. Google” research that may not be applicable or that could be dangerously wrong.

That said, veterinarians want pet parents to be invested in caring for their cats and dogs. Recognize that the doctor and many of the staff studied for many years to attain the expertise to offer medical advice and care. You know when something’s “off” about your pet—but the vet has the tools and ability to figure out the cause and what to do about it.

Preparing for your visit

Preparation before your first visit to the veterinarian can make all the difference. While you may be taking mental notes before your visit, writing down any questions or concerns you may have is a great way to make sure you don’t forget anything.

In these notes, be specific. Write down specific food and treat brands you are feeding your pet, along with the quantities – because telling your veterinarian that you feed your pup a “handful” of dog food doesn’t tell very much!

If this visit goes beyond a routine checkup, write down all symptoms you notice in your pet and any medication your pet may be taking. Takes notes on your pet’s water drinking habits, appetite, energy level, or any behavior that may be unusual.

If you have a pet going to the veterinarian for the first time, contact them ahead of time to determine if you will need to bring in a stool sample for a fecal exam.

Dog and Cat Questions to Ask the Vet

For your first vet visit, it’s important to have questions prepared to ask before the big day. Not only is this extremely helpful to you and your pup but it will give you the most out of your visit. Vets are very busy and have several patients so they won’t always have the answers you anticipate. Don’t be afraid to write these questions down, as your vet is a valuable resource to your pet’s health and to your peace of mind. Here are some helpful questions to prepare:

• Is my pet a healthy weight?
• Are they eating the right food and getting proper nutrition?
• Are they sleeping too much or too little?
• What resources are available at this vet clinic? (ex. X-rays, labs, etc.)
• Are there any common parasites or pests in the area? How can I prevent them?
• Is pet insurance worth it and if so, who do you recommend?
• Do you have any grooming recommendations for my cat or dog?
• Are there any vaccinations my pet needs?
• Where are the nearby emergency services for off-hours or holidays?
• What do you recommend for flea and tick prevention?
• Is spaying/neutering right for my pet?
• How is my pet’s dental health?
• Any pet food label questions such as how to read them, what to look for, etc.

The first vet visit is a pivotal experience for new pets and owners. It’s important to be prepared in advance and to create a cool and relaxing situation for you and your pet. Hopefully, these questions and tips help you and your dog or cat make the most of your first vet visit.

Then I came home and realized how many things I forgot to ask or mention.

You can do that only so many times before you realize that perhaps you should get better prepared. I started making notes beforehand, making lists, tracking symptoms. Today, I would not go unprepared. The more you have your sh*t together, the better value you get out of the visit.

How to prepare when visiting your regular veterinarian

Make a list of all your concerns. If you have the time, start a day or two beforehand; you’d be surprised how many times you’ll go back to add things. I put down everything that is bothering me, however trivial it might seem. You never know what’s important and what is not.

Your list should include

• all symptoms and signs you observed
• when it all started or how it all happened
• how often does it happen and how long it lasts
• when it usually happens (daytime, nighttime, after exercise …)

If the symptom is intermittent, bring evidence

Many times your dog might be limping, showing other signs of pain and act perfectly fine when at the vet’s office. It’s not unusual. As the adrenaline gets going it can mask many symptoms. Other things just happen only from time to time. If you can, videotape the concerning behavior. It is much easier to show than trying to explain or re-enact.

If your dog has diarrhea or vomits, bring a sample. Bring a urine sample. Ideally, you want first-morning pee but you also want the sample to be fresh. Come clean to your vet when you collected your samples and how and how you stored them.

If symptoms are chronic, chart them

With an ongoing issue, I like to keep a visual chart. I include the symptom(s) in question as well as other details and things that I figure might influence what’s happening. Jasmine’s chart got quite elaborate. You can keep a diary too but I find that a visual chart allows seeing any progress, decline or correlations in a glance. It is much easier to glean some information that way.

What to Expect During Your First Pain Management Appointment

We understand that as a new patient, you may be apprehensive or nervous about receiving care from someone other than your primary care physician. Our team wants to assure you that your wellbeing will be made a number one priority. In order to diminish some of that nervous energy and demonstrate our commitment to you, we have provided information on what to expect during your first pain management appointment.

For your convenience, please review and complete your new patient paperwork prior to your first visit. These forms include areas to fill out your medical background and present pain issues in the form of a health questionnaire, as well as Tulsa Pain’s medication and financial policy. 

We cannot speak on behalf of other pain clinics, but at Tulsa Pain, patients always receive a thorough evaluation before undergoing treatment or taking pain medication. This ensures our patients’ health and pain history, among other things, are being considered before treatment plans that are custom to the patient’s unique, individual needs are being made.

During the comprehensive evaluation, patients should provide as much health and pain-related information as possible. This will help our team better understand how to best treat your pain condition/symptoms. Some of this information may include:

• Treatment plans from your primary care physician or any other medical provider.
• Previous procedures and surgeries along with any current medical problems.
• X-rays, laboratory results, or any other diagnostic imaging or testing done within the last few years.
• List of current medications and prescriptions that include dosage and frequency (if applicable).

First visit to a pain management doctor

On the first visit, a pain management doctor will ask you questions about your pain symptoms. He or she may also look at your past records, your medication list, and prior diagnostic studies (X-ray, MRI, CT). It helps if you bring any prior, available studies (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs). The doctor will perform a thorough physical exam. At the first visit, It helps to have a pain journal or at least, to be aware of your pain patterns.

Common things your doctor may ask on the first visit:

1. Where is your pain? (what body part)
2. What does your pain feel like? (dull, aching, tingling)
3. How often do you feel pain? (how often during the day or night)
4. When do you feel the pain? (with exercise or at rest)
5. Setting for the pain? (is it worse standing, sitting, laying down)
6. What makes your pain better? (does a certain medication help)
7. Have you noticed any other symptom when you have your pain? (like loss of bowel or bladder control)

What to Expect

Evaluation & Treatment

During your first visit, a pain management specialist will perform a thorough assessment and develop a plan for your care. This plan will be shared with your family physician as well as the healthcare team assembled to address your needs. On return visits, additional treatment will be provided and your progress will be evaluated by the physician and the healthcare team.

Throughout the treatment process, the support staff will communicate your progress to your referring and family physicians. As you near the end of your treatment plan, Cleveland Clinic practitioners will spend additional time providing you with information about how to manage your condition. Through expert care, Cleveland Clinic strives to bring a better quality of life for you and your loved ones.

Throughout the treatment process, the department will communicate your progress to your referring and family physicians. As you near the end of your treatment plan, we will spend additional time providing you with information about how to manage your condition.

What You Should Expect from Your Pain Management Program

If you are considering pain management treatment, you are likely to have many questions. Frequently Asked Questions about Pain Management

Do you need a referral for pain management?

A referral is required for several reasons. The most important is to provide the evaluating pain management physician with all relevant history and data so that the consultation is productive and focused on the patient and his/her pain problem. The best way to obtain a referral to a pain management specialist is through your primary care physician.

Should I drive myself to my pain management appointment?

Depending on your circumstances, you will be advised of the need for someone to drive you home after your first appointment. It is our policy that every patient who has an invasive procedure must have a ride home. Many procedures performed can cause associated numbness, weakness, and/or loss of position sense, which can make the ability to operate an automobile difficult.

What happens at the first pain management appointment?

It is important to know what to expect at your first pain management appointment. At your first visit, you meet with a pain management nurse who reviews your pain problem and medical history. You will be seen by a nurse, a physician assistant and the physician. A pain management physician performs a medical history, physical examination and reviews any test or X-ray results. Your physician will develop a customized pain treatment plan based on your individual assessment. This initial evaluation is important, because a full and complete assessment is a key component in developing your customized treatment plan.

Will I be treated on the first visit to a pain management clinic?

In some cases, patients are treated on the first visit. However, most patients will be scheduled for their procedure after undergoing appropriate preparation. Einstein’s pain management process consists of communication with the patient’s primary care physician and specialists as part of a team approach to a comprehensive care plan.

Can I go back to work after my visit?

If you receive an epidural injection or any other catheterization procedure, we usually recommend you take it easy and let your body be your guide. Recovery times may vary depending on your occupation. Discuss this with your physician.

What Is a Pain Management Agreement?

A pain medication agreement is a contract between a doctor and a patient. The goal of the agreement is to ensure that patients who are taking opioid drugs do so exactly as their doctor has prescribed.

In theory, these agreements are not only designed to protect the patient from drug abuse, but they also protect the doctor in case the patient abuses the medication in some way.

Years ago, pain medication agreements were rare. They were only required by pain clinics and pain management specialists. But with the increase in opioid addictions, and the scrutiny of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on doctors who prescribe the medications, more general and family practitioners also are requiring patients who take long-term opioid pain medication to sign them.

HOW TO SELECT A DERMATOLOGIST

Tips when seeking care

Before making an appointment with a dermatologist, it is important to consider their level of training. Board-certified dermatologists have at least eight years of medical training, if not more. They have proven their expertise by passing difficult board exams and meeting other requirements

Board-certified: It is important to check whether your dermatologist is board-certified. If they are, the initials FAAD will appear after their name. FAAD stands for “Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.” A dermatologist’s website is often a good place to check. It will either list FAAD after their name or discuss their board certification.

Insurance: If you are uncertain about insurance coverage, call your insurance provider. They are the best source for learning whether a dermatologist is in your network and if the visit is covered. They can also tell you whether treatment for a particular condition is covered. Note that strictly cosmetic procedures — such as treatment for wrinkles — usually are not covered.

Booking the appointment: As is true for many specialists, there can be a wait to see a dermatologist. To help you get timely care, dermatologists offer the follow tips.

Make your appointment early. The earlier you can book your appointment, the better. If you are scheduling a routine appointment, call several weeks or even months ahead of when you wish to be seen

How to Choose a Dermatologist

Know the types. A general dermatologist will treat rashes, acne, and rosacea; they do skin exams to check for questionable moles; and they can help with issues such as thinning hair. They are a good starting place for anti-aging prescriptions such as Retin-A or hydroquinone for wrinkles and brown spots. Deeply etched wrinkles, scars, or persistent discoloration—anything that requires a peel, injection, or laser—are best treated by a cosmetic dermatologist.

Check their bios. Doctors usually have one on their practice’s website. Look for board certification from the American Academy of Dermatology—you don’t want to get Botox from someone certified as an OB-GYN. A website is also a good place to see whether the doctor’s focus is general or cosmetic and if she specializes further. Someone who names laser treatments, or Botox and fillers, will be more experienced than a doctor who insists she does them all equally well.

Go for a consult. Schedule your first appointment for a Monday or Tuesday. These are usually the busiest days. Take advantage of the full waiting room and ask your fellow patients about their experiences. It’s a good sign if you have to wait several weeks for a consultation; the doctor is in demand. Most doctors charge for a consultation, but often that fee is put toward the cost of a procedure

Listen up. When you meet a cosmetic dermatologist for the first time, I think it’s best to give a vague sense of why you’re there and then let her talk. Mention that you’re bothered by the lines on your face or noticeable leg veins, but don’t go into all the remedies you’ve researched online. Listen to how she’d address those issues. Her opinion will give you a sense of her aesthetic philosophy, including how aggressive she is.

Ask the right questions. You want someone who does the procedures you’re seeking all the time. At least three to five cases a day is good; more is even better. For lasers, ask if the practice owns or rents the devices. If they rent, they aren’t lasering as much. Also be sure to ask who is doing the lasering. Some doctors will say they “supervise” the treatment a nurse or technician performs, but I don’t think that’s enough. The doctor should be hands-on

Signs of a Great Dermatologist

Not all dermatologists are created equal. Finding the one who will work with you to resolve your particular problems and concerns requires some research. When you’re looking for your ideal dermatologist

The best credentials. Report cards matter. Any doctor with a medical degree can start a dermatology practice, but certified physicians boast additional years of supervised study and have passed rigorous exams. Do a free online search to ensure that a prospective dermatologist is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology, which is the gold standard for the industry, says Wendy Lewis, the author of America’s Cosmetic Doctors and a cosmetic surgery consultant. She warns, “Many doctors call themselves dermatologists but may be internists, general practitioners, or something else.”

Unrushed appointments. Exceptional dermatologists don’t look at the clock; they look at your chart and are completely focused on your personal story and your questions. “Your dermatologist should take the time to explain things, address your concerns, and explain treatment plans, as well as any tests you may have to undergo,” says David Bank, MD, president of the New York State Society for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. If a dermatologist dismisses your thoughts, is difficult to follow up with, or rushes you through an appointment, it’s time to find someone who values you more as a patient

No sales pitching. It’s a doctor’s office — not a home shopping television show. The dermatologist and the office staff should never aggressively push products, treatments, or other remedies that don’t specifically address your personal concerns. “If you feel that a dermatologist is selling you, he or she may be more interested in your money than in helping you,” says Dr. Bank

A generous sampling policy. An office chock-full of mini tubes of various products shows that a dermatologist genuinely wants patients to find the best — and not just any — solution to a given skin problem, and that he or she is conscious of budgets and prescription copay amounts. “If your dermatologist wants you to try a product to make sure it’s right for you before you commit to buying a prescription, it’s a great sign,” says Bank. And don’t be shy; speak up and ask if samples are available, as doctors often have to trash loads of expired samples.

TIPS: WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A DERMATOLOGIST

Dermatologists diagnose and treat more than 3,000 different diseases and conditions related to the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes (the lining inside the eyelids, nose, and mouth).  A dermatologist is specially qualified to treat a variety of conditions including acne, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, rosacea, skin cancer, wrinkles, age spots, and hair loss. People of all ages, from newborns to those over 100 years of age, can often benefit from regularly seeing a skilled dermatologist.

In order to become a dermatologist, candidates must complete a minimum of 12 years of post-secondary education, including a minimum of 3 years in a dermatology residency program. This equates to a requirement of 12,000 to 16,000 patient hours.

Unfortunately, not all dermatologists are created equal. Finding the right dermatologist for your needs requires time and effort. It’s always a good idea to research any prospective physician online and/or solicit referrals from friends and family

BOARD CERTIFIED

Choose a dermatologist that is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology. While technically any doctor with a medical degree can start a skin care practice

CONSIDER THE NEED FOR SPECIALIZATION

Some board certified dermatologists complete additional education and training in order to specialize in areas like Mohs surgery, dermatopathology, or pediatric dermatology. Such additional fellowship training can be extremely valuable when it comes to properly treating certain conditions. Patients who know they need a specific procedure should concentrate their search on dermatologists with additional fellowship training. Ask any candidate about their history performing the procedure including complications.

HOW TO CHOOSE A DERMATOLOGIST?

Look at their credentials – check to see if they’re board certified. Do you prefer a medical doctor or a doctor of osteopathy? Some patients prefer one over the other. This is your personal choice and preference.

Attitude. How does the doctor answer and address your needs? A good doctor will listen to your questions and do his or her best to answer. Providing you with information you understand and not just medical terms. Convenience. If you really enjoy a doctor’s office but find that it is too far out of your way. See if they’re willing to work around your schedule. That way you can drive after work or on a weekend.

Get faster results from treatment. Acne treatment takes time regardless of whether you’re treating mild or severe acne. That said, it does take less time and effort to clear a few pimples than a breakout that could include blackheads, whiteheads, and deep-seated acne cysts

Reduce scars. Treating acne early may prevent acne scars. In general, the more severe the acne, the more likely it is to scar.

Stop lingering spots from developing when acne clears. Anyone who has medium-to-dark colored skin may see a dark spot appear when an acne pimple, cyst, or nodule clears. Dermatologists call this post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). People with light-colored skin may see a red spot where acne once was. These spots can linger for months. Many consider it worse to have these lingering spots than the acne itself.

Why It’s Important to Choose the Right Dentist

Your dentist is a health care provider, similar to your personal physician. As you know the importance of choosing the right doctor, the same is true for your dentist.

You may be surprised to learn how many adults do not visit the dentist unless they have an emergency. In many cases, it is not because they cannot afford it, or cannot fit appointments into their schedules. Many people avoid the dentist because of bad experiences they had when they were young.

What If You Need Dental Treatment?

Under ideal circumstances, your experiences with dentistry will include twice-annual exams and cleanings. You will have a dental professional to answer your questions. However, choosing a dentist is also important when you need any type of dental treatment or dental work.

You want a dentist who is fully qualified to treat your particular dental issue. Whether you need implants, a filling for a cavity, or root canal therapy, a dentist’s training and experience will make a difference. Your treatment can be completed without complications, and the least amount of difficulty for you.

You can look at choosing a dentist the same as choosing a personal physician. When you are looking for a dentist who will meet your needs today and in the future, make an appointment to meet the dentist in person. When you see his overall attitude and professionalism helps you feel comfortable and confident, your oral health care will always be a positive experience.

Finding a Dentist

When you’re searching for a dentist, the American Dental Association (ADA) offers these suggestions:

Ask family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers for their recommendations.

Ask your family doctor or local pharmacist.

If you’re moving, ask your current dentist to make a recommendation.

Contact your local or state dental society. The ADA provides a list of local and state dental societies on its web site, www.ada.org. Your local and state dental societies also may be listed in the telephone directory under “dentists” or “associations.”

What Should I Look For When Choosing a Dentist?

You and your dentist will be long-term oral health care partners; therefore, you should find someone you can be comfortable with. To find a suitable dentist to meet your needs,

consider asking the following questions as a starting point:

What are the office hours? Are they convenient for your schedule?

Is the office easy to get to from work or home?

Where was the dentist educated and trained?

What’s the dentist’s approach to preventive dentistry?

How often does the dentist attend conferences and continuing education workshops?

What type of anesthesia is the dentist certified to administer to help you relax and feel more comfortable during any necessary dental treatment?

What arrangements are made for handling emergencies outside of office hours? (Most dentists make arrangements with a colleague or emergency referral service if they are unable to tend to emergencies.)

Is information provided about all fees and payment plans before treatment is scheduled? If you are comparison shopping, ask for estimates on some common procedures such as full-mouth X-rays, an oral exam and cleaning, and filling a cavity.

Does the dentist participate in your dental health plan?

What is the dentist’s office policy on missed appointments?

How to Find a Good Dentist

KAREN VASSO, A 43-YEAR old farmer from Chelmsford, Massachusetts, takes good care of her health. In addition to the copious amounts of physical exercise she gets while working, she’s an avid swimmer and triathlete, who’s completed a few solo 12.5-mile swims around Key West in Florida. She also has a background in nutrition and knows that good dental health is an important aspect of overall wellness. She’s long sought to make visiting a dentist regularly a priority. However, a couple of bad experiences over the years have caused her to think carefully about what makes a good dentist and how to find the right one for her

The first incident occurred several years ago. At the time, Vasso was a single mother and her health insurance wasn’t terribly robust, so her options of which dentist she could see were limited. “I went to this quiet, dark office in the basement of a building” in a nearby town. The office was mostly empty, save for the dentist himself, and Vasso recalls thinking, “this is scary.” Undeterred by her gut intuition, she went through with the appointment. “He cleaned my teeth and at the end he said, ‘you have a cavity. I’m going to need you to come back for a filling.’ I know my teeth. I have extensive knowledge about nutrition and how that affects dental health,” and she says she suspected she didn’t actually have a cavity

Fast forward a few years to a new town and new health insurance, and Vasso decided it was time to do something about the lack of routine dental care she’d had for the past couple of years and scheduled an appointment with a local dentist. She opted for “a very big chain dental practice” that was in her insurance plan and made an appointment for a cleaning. “They did a cleaning and a cursory exam and told me I had six cavities. It blew my mind – there’s no way I have six cavities,” she says, feeling outraged.

Before she was even able to get clarification on where and how severe these cavities were, she’d been herded to the front desk to settle her bill and make several more appointments for additional dental work. Vasso decided she didn’t trust that dentist and made an appointment elsewhere for a second opinion. As suspected, that subsequent dentist confirmed she had no cavities at all, let alone six of them. “Can you imagine them drilling into my teeth for no reason? It blows my mind,” she says.

When looking for a dentist, Cooper says you should seek one that practices close to your home or work and that has convenient hours. It’s also important to consider any unique communication issues you might have. For example, “if English isn’t your first language, do you need a translator? In my practice, I have a lot pf patients who are Japanese,” she says, and although these patients “speak English perfectly well out in the world,” when it comes to the specific or technical vocabulary of health care, having a translator to convey this information in a patient’s native language can facilitate better understanding. “Sometimes having a translator there who can offer assurance about what’s going on in your own language can be extremely important,” she says. Arranging with the dentist ahead of time to have a translator available or bringing a friend or family member who’s able to act as translator are both strategies you can employ to make sure you don’t miss anything.

How to Find a Good Dentist: The Ultimate Guide

Moving to a new area? Not happy with your current provider but you need to schedule a dentist today? Don’t settle for the first dentist you come across. You’re putting your finances and your health on the line. The only problem is that it’s easy to get lost when you see a myriad of dentists readily available to you.

How to Find a Good Dentist: Start with the Basics

Learning how to pick a dentist starts by checking the ones closest to you. Choose one that’s near your home or your office, making it easy to visit if you use public transportation. Think of how you can get to it in case of emergency as well.

What Type of Dentist Do You Need?

Next, you also have to consider the type of dentist you want. Although a general dentist might refer to themselves as a cosmetic or family dentist, these are not official specialisations.

Ask for Recommendations from Friends and Family

Chances are, friends and family will happily suggest a good dentist that they are comfortable and satisfied with. Ask them specifics of what they like about their dentists to give you a better idea of their work.

Look for a Member of an Organisation

If you are relocating to a new city, your current dentist may have a recommendation too. Dentists working within an association could know someone in the city you’re moving to.

Things to Look For When Choosing a New Dentist

Find a dentist with a good reputation

The first important consideration when looking for the perfect dentist is to check his or her reputation. There are several ways to research dentists and their practice history. One of the first things to do is to search online reviews to see what positive or negative experiences patients have had at their dentist. Websites, such as Angie’s List, offer reviews from patients on dentists

Check your state dental board

Dentists are held accountable by their state dental board. Each state has a board of dentistry website that tracks the history of claims against a particular dentist. Make sure that the dentist you are about to see does not have any suspicious claims brought against them.

Interview your dentist

You need to interview your dentist or the dental practice, which is a simple as picking up the phone and asking the right questions. Find out where the dentist graduated, how long they have been practicing and what type of dentistry they do, how many staff members work there and how long have they been with that dentist.

Ask friends and family about their dentist

Ask your friends and neighbors where they go for dental work. There is no better way to find a great dentist than to find out who your friends and neighbors trust. Most people will not recommend bad service to you or advise you to see a dentist they are not pleased with.

Make sure your dentist meets your needs

Everyone has a certain criteria when they look for the right dental office. Some patients want a larger practice that sees a high volume of patients. Their time is valuable and they want to get in and get out. Others may seek a family-oriented practice that treats each patient as a part of their family. They want a doctor who will spend the time explaining things to them and not rush the appointment. Make the decision that is right for you.