That “am I being annoying?” feeling is so real. I’ve definitely been there, sitting in the chair, running down my list of what probably sounded like 50 questions. Sometimes I even rehearse them in my head first, which is maybe a little much, but hey—implants are a huge deal. I think it’s a red flag if a dentist can’t handle a few (okay, a lot of) questions. If they get defensive, I start wondering what they’re hiding or if they just don’t care about patient comfort, which is not great when you’re about to trust them with your jaw.
One thing I do now is jot down every random question that pops up—even the ones I think are silly, like “How bad will it hurt?” or “Will I look like a chipmunk after?” If the dentist seems chill about answering, I feel way better. And if they act annoyed, that’s my cue to move on.
Honestly, no one should leave confused or pressured into a decision. I’d rather feel awkward for five minutes than regret it for years. Trusting your gut is underrated in these situations… mine has saved me from a few sketchy offices, for sure.
I think it’s a red flag if a dentist can’t handle a few (okay, a lot of) questions. If they get defensive, I start wondering what they’re hiding or if they just don’t care about patient comfort, which is not great when you’re about to trust them with your jaw.
This is spot-on. I’ve been through a few consults for my kid’s dental work, and honestly, I’ve started treating the first visit almost like an interview. If the dentist gets impatient with my questions, that’s usually the last time we see them. I don’t care if it’s “just” a baby tooth extraction or something bigger like an implant—if they can’t explain things in a way that makes sense, or they act like I’m wasting their time, it’s a no from me.
One thing I’ve noticed: sometimes the dentist is fine, but the office staff are the ones who get annoyed when you ask about insurance, recovery time, or scheduling. That’s a red flag too. If the front desk is dismissive, it usually trickles down.
I do have a question for anyone who’s had a kid go through implants or other big dental stuff—how did you handle the “pain” topic? My kid is super anxious about needles and pain, and I never know how much to prep him versus not wanting to freak him out. The last dentist we saw kind of brushed it off with, “Oh, it won’t be that bad,” but I’d rather have some honest details so I can help him get ready.
Also, has anyone had luck with offices that offer a pre-op walkthrough or let kids see the equipment first? We had one office that did a little “tour” before the procedure, and it made a huge difference. Wish more places did that.
I totally agree—trusting your gut is key. I’ve walked out of more than one office because something just felt off, even if I couldn’t put my finger on it. Better a few awkward moments than months of regret.
We had a similar situation with my daughter—she was terrified of the whole “needle” thing. What helped was asking the dentist to walk her through the tools and steps beforehand. Some offices even let her touch the suction thing (big win). Being honest but not dramatic about the pain worked best for us—like, “It might pinch, but you’ll get a treat after.” I wish more places did those tours too. Makes a world of difference for anxious kids.
That’s actually such a solid approach—you’re right, tours and “meet the tools” sessions can make a huge difference for anxious kids (and honestly, anxious adults too). I wish more offices took the time to do that. I’ve seen so many patients—kids especially—tense up the second they walk in because everything feels mysterious and scary. Letting them poke around with the suction thing or just watch us open the sterile packs can take some of that edge off.
I do think there’s a fine line, though. Sometimes, if you get too detailed about the steps, it can backfire and make them more nervous. I’ve had parents ask me to explain every single tool, and by the end, their kid’s eyes are like saucers. So I try to read the room—some want all the info, some just want reassurance that nothing terrible is about to happen.
Being honest but low-key about pain is key. No sugarcoating, but no horror stories either. I wish every office had time for those little things, but with packed schedules, it’s tough. Still, it’s worth pushing for if you can—it really does help set up better experiences down the road.
I get what you mean about not overloading people with info, but as someone who’s been through a few consults for implants, I actually found that knowing more details made me less anxious. Maybe it’s just my personality—I like to know what’s coming, even if it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. But I’ve also had dentists who were super vague and it honestly made me trust them less. Curious if anyone else here has found a balance that worked for them? Like, did you want the step-by-step, or just the basics?
