Professional Opinion

Q: My dentist recently recommended a lot of dental work for my daughter, but I feel his treatment plan is a little too aggressive.  What should I do?

A: A friend of mine recently asked my opinion of the treatment plan suggested by her son’s orthodontist, which involved the extraction of some baby teeth.  She felt the treatment plan seemed too aggressive for her 9 year-old son.  I assured her that the orthodondist’s plan was not overly aggressive and that it sounded like the appropriate care for her son.  I also told her that it was her right, and, as a parent, her responsibility to ask lots of questions of her son’s orthodontist.  The same advice holds true whether you are at the dentist office or your primary care physician.  Any good health care provider should be willing to take the time to answer all of your questions.  If your doctor is not willing to sit down with you and answer your questions or you don’t feel satisfied with her responses, it may be time to seek a second opinion.