Short answer: Yes, you can trust your dentist, but trust in dentistry is earned. It is earned through clear communication, honesty, and genuine care over time.
I’m Dr. Michael Sinkin, a general and implant dentist in Midtown Manhattan. After more than three decades in practice, I have seen how trust, or the lack of it, can completely change a person’s dental experience.
As the Association of Health Care Journalists reported, “some dental chains place intense pressure on providers to meet revenue goals, a system that can leave patients vulnerable to overtreatment.” This is a sobering thought, especially when dental care is so personal and built largely on faith in the person holding the mirror.
So how do you know if you can truly trust your dentist? Let’s explore what that looks like, and what it doesn’t.
Why It Matters to Trust Your Dentist
When you can trust your dentist, everything feels different. You communicate openly, you understand your treatment, and you feel comfortable asking questions. Trust reduces anxiety and creates a partnership, not a power imbalance.
Trust Starts with Communication
Every healthy dentist-patient relationship begins with communication. When your dentist takes the time to explain what is happening in your mouth, in everyday language rather than technical jargon, it builds confidence and reduces anxiety.
A trustworthy dentist will:
• Show you what they see using photos, X-rays, or models
• Explain why something needs attention, not just what needs to be done
• Encourage your questions
• Offer choices without pressure
When you walk out understanding your situation, you are empowered. And empowerment is the foundation of trust.
You Cannot Trust What You Do Not Understand.
A Real Example of Trust in Action
Before we look at one real example, you can explore more patients’ experiences that highlight how meaningful trust can be in dentistry.
Nearly 30 years ago, a new patient named Mark came into my Manhattan office. He was new to the city, looking for a dentist, and like most people, a little uncertain about whom to trust.
During his first few visits, I used images and models to show him exactly what I was seeing. We talked through his options, and I made sure he understood every step. It was never a sales pitch. It was a conversation.
“You didn’t just tell me what was wrong,” Mark told me years later. “You showed me and explained it in a way that made sense.”
That clarity changed how he felt about dental care. Even after moving out of New York City more than two decades ago, Mark and his wife still come back to Midtown for their appointments. Their loyalty is built on consistency, transparency, and the ability to trust their dentist with confidence.
Hear Mark’s Story
What Trust Looks Like in Dentistry
Trust does not mean blind faith. It means you believe your dentist has your best interest at heart, and you can see that in every interaction.
Here are a few signs that you are in the right hands:
- You are part of the decision-making process
- You never feel rushed
- You understand the “why” behind every recommendation
- You experience consistency and follow-through
When you can trust your dentist, dentistry feels less like something being done to you and more like something being done for you.
You Want To Feel Like A Person – Not A Procedure
Why Trust Matters More Than Ever
Dentistry has advanced dramatically with digital imaging, 3D scanning, and same-day crowns, but technology can never replace integrity.
In a world where overtreatment makes headlines, advanced technology is only helpful when it is paired with communication and transparency. A dentist you can trust will focus on prevention, long-term health, and your comfort, not unnecessary procedures.
This is also why second opinions are so important. A trustworthy dentist will support your desire to learn more and will respect your decisions.
Building a Relationship That Lasts
Trust takes time. It is reinforced through many visits, through small gestures, and through genuine concern.
I have been privileged to see patients grow up, get married, have children, and even send those children to me as new patients. Those relationships are the true reward of this profession.
As I often remind my team, we don’t just fix teeth, we care for people.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
What does it mean to trust your dentist?
To trust your dentist means you feel confident they prioritize your best interest, communicate clearly, and explain every recommendation in a way you understand.
How do you know you can trust your dentist?
You can trust your dentist when you feel heard, never rushed, and always understand the reasons behind recommended treatment.
Why is trust important in dentistry?
Trust in dentistry reduces anxiety, strengthens communication, and helps patients make informed decisions that support long-term oral health.
What does a trustworthy dentist do differently?
A trustworthy dentist listens, educates, offers choices, encourages questions, and focuses on long-term health rather than unnecessary procedures.
How does communication build trust with your dentist?
Communication builds trust by helping you understand what your dentist sees and why their recommendations matter.
For New Yorkers Looking for a Dentist They Can Trust
If you are in New York City and looking for a dentist who takes time to listen, explain, and treat you like family, my team and I would be honored to meet you.
Visit us in Midtown Manhattan for a dental experience built on clarity, compassion, and genuine connection.
Because when you can trust your dentist, everything about your care and your comfort gets better.
FAQs
- What does it mean to trust your dentist?
Trusting your dentist means believing they act in your best interest, explain procedures clearly, and involve you in every decision about your care. - How can communication improve dental care?
Clear communication builds confidence, reduces anxiety, and helps patients understand their oral health, which leads to better long-term outcomes. - What are signs you can trust your dentist?
You should feel heard, never rushed, and able to understand what is being done and why. Consistency and respect are key signs of a trustworthy dentist. - How does Dr. Sinkin build trust with his patients?
Dr. Sinkin focuses on education, transparency, and patient comfort, explaining each treatment step and creating relationships based on understanding. - Why is overtreatment a concern in dentistry?
Some corporate dental chains have been found to pressure providers to meet revenue goals, which can lead to unnecessary or excessive procedures. - What role does technology play in building trust?
Technology helps visualize and explain dental conditions, but human communication and integrity are what truly build patient trust. - Why are second opinions important in dentistry?
Getting a second opinion ensures transparency, prevents overtreatment, and helps you make informed choices about your oral health. - How long does it take to build trust with a dentist?
Trust develops over time through consistent care, open dialogue, and reliable follow-up from your dentist and their team. - What can patients do to strengthen communication with their dentist?
Ask questions, express concerns openly, and request explanations or visuals to better understand your treatment. - What is Dr. Sinkin’s approach to dental care in New York City?
Dr. Sinkin provides personalized, compassionate care focused on comfort, education, and long-term relationships with every patient.
Dr. Michael Sinkin is a general and implant dentist in Midtown Manhattan. For more than three decades, he has built his practice around clear communication, advanced care, and genuine connection with every patient.
Source: “A Look into Dentists Under Pressure to Overtreat by Their Chains,” Mary Otto, Association of Health Care Journalists, May 2020.
