Patient Responsibilities

How you can take a proactive approach to good oral health while being a patient at our dentist's office

To ensure your Patient’s Rights, there are some corresponding Patient’s Responsibilities to be mindful of. Being a responsible patient is necessary to maintain all of your Patient’s Rights.

Maintaining Healthy Habits

That proverbial ounce of prevention is most definitely more effective and efficient that the corresponding pound of cure. Making healthy food choices, getting plenty of exercise, resolving stress, getting enough sleep, moderating alcohol consumption, and refraining from smoking are those good habits we are all familiar with — and most of us need to work on.

Being Honest with Providers

Patients are responsible for providing, to the best of their knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalization, medications, and other matters relating to their health; and to report any perceived risks in their care and any unexpected changes in their condition.

Moreover, patients should advise the Dentist or Service Excellence of any dissatisfaction you may have in regard to your care.

Complying with Treatment Plans

Patients must follow the care, treatment and service plan developed and express any concerns about their ability to follow the proposed care plan or course of care, treatment and service

Patients are responsible to give cooperation and to follow the care for which they have given consent and which was prescribed or recommended for them by the physician, nurse, dental assistant, or dentist.

Patients must accept the outcomes of not following the care, treatment, and service plan.

Making Decisions Responsibly

Always notify your physician, dentist, or the nurse if you do not understand what you are expected to do, or have questions regarding your care, treatment or service.

Understanding Prescription Drugs and their Possible Effects

Ask the dentist or nurse what to expect regarding pain and pain management. Discuss pain relief options with the dentist and nurses, and work with the dentist to develop a pain management plan. Ask for pain relief when pain first begins. Help the dentist assess your pain, and to tell the dentist if your pain is not relieved. Always tell the dentist about any worries you have about taking pain medication.

Meeting Financial Obligations

The patient must accept financial obligations associated with their care.