I bet you think this write up is all about re-enforcing the fact that you need to visit your dentist once every 3 or 6 months for a clean up. Of course we do send our patients regular reminders to visit us so that dental issues can be spotted attended to at the earliest.   But here we are going to discuss an entirely different issue which is equally important. 

The  time of the day when the procedure is done has a significant influence on the outcome as well. Let me explain how. Often when I schedule a mutually convenient appointment for my patients, I hear them ask  “Can we have the last appointment?” The truth is we all are tired at the end of the day and fatigue always has a profound influence on the treatment outcome. Yes, some of us have mastered the art of consistency that we can attain repeatable outcomes but then the human body that has a threshold beyond which fatigue compromises on quality.

Let me break it down for you

1)      A good dentist who is concerned about your well-being would ideally categorize dental procedures in a way that the procedures that are more demanding are scheduled at the early part of the day (or session) so that he/she works with an optimal focus and precision.

2)      Work,family and social commitments are important and we all need to meet their demands as well but also understand that your dental health is equally important for you to attend to them with a smile.

3)      A dental visit is not something that happens every day it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take time off from work so that you can be fresh and energetic as well.

4)      Plan to be ahead of time for your appointment so that you can avoid traffic hassles andmake the best use of the time your dentist has allotted for you.

5)      I have clearly observed over the years that, a patient who is tired at the end of the day is restless on the chair even for a short procedure. Though, we do our bit to make sure you are comfortable but an uncomfortable patient shifts our focus from the tooth and more towards making sure you are alright.

Remember good dental treatment has always been expensive and it is wise to make sure you get the best when you spend a lot of money on it. Getting good dental treatment not only makes you wake up happy today but is also an investment to ensure that your old age will have one less worry. So be smart, choose wisely and when your dentist tells you “Can you make it a little earlier??’ 

Article Credits: Dr. Reuben Joseph , MDS(Endodontics) practices at 32 INTACT Dental Clinic, Chennai.