Why your appointment takes a little longer at MDC (and why that’s exactly the point)
Visiting the dentist is meant to be a proper health check because your oral health is a vital component of your overall health. As trained medical practitioners, our job is to look inside your mouth to see if anything is going on that might need further investigation or treatment.
Every patient is different, every appointment is different, and so your visit takes as long as it takes.
You should never walk out to reception or leave the building feeling as if you were just inspected and moved along, like a product on a conveyor belt. Unfortunately, we know experiences like that are increasingly common in the world of preferred-provider models.
That’s the reality of a system built around volume, where insurers negotiate lower fees in exchange for patient referrals, and practices make up the difference by seeing more people in less time.
At Middleborough Dental Care, we’ve made a conscious decision to never let that happen. Every patient we see deserves as much time as they need for us to look at everything thoroughly, explain everything clearly, and discuss any potential issues or treatment options.
To us, caring for you is the furthest thing from transactional.
The model we chose not to follow
We do want to say that preferred provider arrangements aren’t inherently bad, and plenty of good dentists work within them. But the pressures they create are real. Shorter appointment blocks mean less time to explain what you’re seeing on an X-ray or walk a patient through their options.
There’s certainly no leeway to just sit with someone who’s anxious and let them settle before you begin, let alone if they need a break in the middle of treatment.
Every member of the Middleborough Dental Care team has opted to stay away from practices that can’t put the needs of every patient at the forefront. We’ve trained hard, we care about the craft, and we want to practise in a way we see as “proper”.
What longer appointments actually mean
When we schedule more time for your visit, it shows up in ways that are easy to overlook but genuinely matter.
Our preferred approach means your dentist isn’t watching the clock and thinking the next appointment is due before they’ve finished yours. It means there’s time to look carefully, explain clearly, and answer your questions without either of you feeling rushed.
It means if something needs a second look, it gets one then and there, rather than a note in the file for next time.
It also means the experience feels much more comfortable. Dentistry is one of those things where anxiety and avoidance go hand in hand. Rushed appointments are likely to make that worse. Unhurried ones, where you feel heard and informed, with time to process what you’re being told and ask questions, allow us to work together to lessen any anxiety over time. Your next appointment is likely to feel even better.
You can also feel confident that your Middleborough Dental Care dentist wants to work this way. Our slower approach gives us the space to do the work as well as we can, stay current, innovate where possible, and think about the long-term picture for each patient.
We love patients who want to know what they’re getting
If you’re the kind of person who researches before you choose a provider, who wants to understand your options rather than just be told what to do, and who values a relationship with your dental practice over the years, you’re our kind of person!
That’s because you’re not looking for the fastest option.
You’re not making your decision based purely on cost.
You are looking for thoughtful, personalised care that prioritises your preferences and needs.
When it all boils down, that’s what we offer.
We look forward to welcoming you, if you haven’t been to Middleborough Dental Care before, or welcoming you back, if you’re a returning patient.
You can book online, call us on 03 9808 0207, or drop us an email via [email protected], and we’ll be waiting to take care of you.