Examples of questions to ask a prospective patient:
- What can we do for you?
- Why do you want to do this?
- How long have you wanted to do this?
- What do you expect in the end?
- How long would you like this to last?
- What benefits can you imagine from the results you expect?
- Do you really understand what you are asking for and what the risks are involved?
- Are you doing this for yourself?
- Do you have any fears or concerns you would like to discuss?
- How would you feel if the result was not what you expected?
- Are you ready to proceed?
- When would you like to be finished?
- Any time an answer to a questions is incomplete make the simple statement, "Tell me more".
Examples of questions you should ask yourself:
- Can I do it? Is the result realistic and do I have the technical and psychological capabilities to complete this case?
- Should I do it? Only do this for the patient if you would do the same for a loved one, friend or yourself, given the same circumstances the patient faces, Realize that nothing in dentistry is permanent but still everything we do for our patients has an altering effect. Unlike you, the patients have to live with the results, good or bad. (Figure 6)

(Fig 6)
Dr Rhys Spoor DDS Aesthetic / Restorative Dentistry - Providing services in cosmetic and sleep dentistry to the area of Seattle, Washington.
copyright 1999 - 2008, Dr. Rhys Spoor, all rights reserved