Questions to ask on a consult

[roost22]

I was honest with the 4 orthos I saw and told all of them I was getting other consults. This not only gave me an excuse as to why I could not schedule any other appointment right away, but also let them know I was planning on being a fully informed patient. Only one doctor seemed to have a problem with this and I didn't like him anyway.

I'll apologize in advance b/c I know that this post will come off cold. That's not my intention but simply a side effect of me not being there in-person conveying these words.

I really do believe there is such a thing as too much information. Orthodontics is a science, yes, but it is also an art and every orthodontist you visit will have his or her own way of treating you and his or her own charge for doing so. If your case is complicated this just compounds things--especially if you are going for a compromise result/plan. Every ortho's idea of compromise is going to be different. You can see 30 different doctors and you may have 30 different treatment plans and 30 different costs. You will drive yourself crazy comparing the pros and cons. I think you need to have a certain level of trust. These doctors spent years and lots of money in dental school. You need to trust them and let them do their job. By all means ask some questions like: how will you fix my issue, how long will it take, what brackets and or appliances will you use, and, if you are going for a compromise, ask what the worst case scenario could be and how/if the Dr. will fix it. If you get a good vibe, if you feel like the doctor is being honest with you, then go with that office. I really do think that asking more than 5 or 6 questions or repeatedly calling with questions or repeatedly asking for consults will turn off the doctor. They are running a business. Yes it's a medical business, people's long term dental health is on the line, but it's still a business. Doctors need to weigh the amount of money you are giving them by the amount of time they think they will spend with you and decide if they are still going to make a profit. If they aren't, they will not take your case. Cold and heartless? Maybe. But it's just the reality of running a business. That said, I really do hope you find a doctor you are comfortable with.

Ditto this, And beth you have to take in consideration to the assistants because they do 90% of the work, if you have a 1 hour appt don't be surprized if you only see the dr. for 5 mins or less.As for the records you can carry these from ortho to ortho so it is a well spent 300 dollars. In an above post you mentioned you have a skelital issue, how would you know this without a panoramic x-ray? I personally had the records done at one ortho and had treatment with another and they subtracted the $300 from my bill.

[beth1966]

.

Ditto this, And beth you have to take in consideration to the assistants because they do 90% of the work, if you have a 1 hour appt don't be surprized if you only see the dr. for 5 mins or less.

Thks good to know.

"As for the records you can carry these from ortho to ortho so it is a well spent 300 dollars. In an above post you mentioned you have a skelital issue, how would you know this without a panoramic x-ray?"

Because that is what the ortho wrote on my diagnosis. I've also had it mentioned to me before - one ortho took a panoramic at the consult - - no charge. If you read the definition of a class III skeletal it is rather obvious that the definition matches me. Though the definition compares a person with that to a bulldog with a jutting underbite which I don't have, I do have a prominent lower jaw, and a much more narrow upper arch. I'm just assuming here - based on what the doctors have told me.

Taking my records from ortho to ortho is something to consider.

THks.