Patient Experience

What is Patient Experience?

How many times have you heard about a dental patient feeling delighted with the care they've received? This isn't quite the word that comes to mind for most people when they think of dentistry, but then there is Contemporary Dentistry. Dr. Anna Belous and Dr. Adriana Palacio have built a practice that in unlike any you would find in the Rochester, NY area. How so? Well, they start with the patient as a human being at the center. Not the clinical issue, not the actual treatment, but the person. For the doctors, caring for your smile begins with caring for you. We understand how many questions, how much uncertainty, or even fear, a dental treatment may bring. We want you to feel heard and seen. We want you to feel respected and genuinely cared for from your very first conversation with us.

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That means taking time to listen to your concerns, explaining your options clearly, helping you navigate financial decisions, and creating a calm, welcoming space where your comfort matters. From the broad array of spa-like amenities to the full spectrum of anesthesia and sedation options, to the accommodating recovery rooms for complex procedures, we put thought and heart into every part of your on-site experience.

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Whether you are a regular at our practice coming in for a routine hygiene treatment and exam visit or taking the first step toward your oral health after years of, perhaps, neglecting it, or procrastinating, or having gone to another practitioner that didn't quite accommodate your needs the way they should have, you deserve compassion without judgment and a team that makes decisions with you, not for you. With Dr. Anna Belous and Dr. Adriana Palacio, a meaningful dental experience isn't just about how you smile when you leave the office - it's about how you feel all the way until your next visit... and the next one.

How will I be supported throughout my dental journey?

You will be supported in many ways. The first thing we focus on is your physical and psychological comfort. The way our facility is built, laid out, furnished and decorated may not even feel like a typical "institutional" dental office. You will first talk with the Patient Experience coordinator, where we will listen carefully to you about your background, your past experiences, where you are today and your goals and objectives for the future. It all starts with meeting you where you are and understanding where you are going.

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We will then evaluate your oral health condition by examining you, utilizing digital radiography, salivary testing and other appropriate methods. Then, we will work together to assess if anything needs to be done, what should be done sooner and what can wait and in what way treatments should be ordered. We will take into consideration both the clinical indications and the financial aspect, presenting you with options and alternatives. We will then develop a treatment plan, if you need one, together with you. This plan will clearly outline your journey with us, should you choose to accept it. You will also have an option to modify it or, perhaps, pursue only the treatments that you deem important to you.

Once you have a treatment plan, if you need one at all, we will schedule you for treatment, accordingly. Our patient onboarding and scheduling processes are very easy. Most things can be done online or with a quick phone call.

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During procedures, you will have access to our entertainment system, noise-cancelling headphones, special glasses, warm blankets, supporting cushions, etc... We will be able to utilize the most appropriate anesthesia and sedation methods for your particular condition to keep you pain-free, comfortable and relaxed at all times. Our sedation ranges from very light to very deep, depending on your needs.

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For complex procedures you will be provided with ample time to recover, while in the office. We have warm and comfortable recovery rooms and you will be attended to by our staff, closely monitoring your recovery process. Our care doesn't stop there. Once you are sent home, we will communicate to you about recovery expectations and will provide clear instructions on any post-procedure tasks or activities you will need to follow. We will prescribe any pain medications or antibiotics, as necessary. Last but not least, we will continue to keep our communication channels open for any issues that may arise going forward.

I have dental anxiety. How is your practice different for supporting anxious or fearful patients?

Dental anxiety is one of the most often mentioned feelings by our patients. We understand that. Unlike many other dental professionals, we are not dismissive, condescending or indifferent to you feelings. Respect for your feelings, worries and concerns is a core value of our practice.

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That is why we listen and accommodate. That is why we have built the facility that enables us to accommodate your physical and psychological state and meet you where you are. That is why our dental office has a calm and soothing spa-like atmosphere. That is why it is quiet and filled with ambient music and amenities that will help you relax. That is why our anesthesia and sedation options, ranging from nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to prescribed oral conscious sedation medication, to IV administered deep sedation, offer a full spectrum of options to meet your most unique needs.

Is financial affordability part of the Patient Experience?

It is, indeed. Patient experience and our motto of "accessibility for all" go hand in hand. No matter how good or accommodating we are, none of this would matter if we didn't make our care accessible to you, financially. We understand the cost of health care in general, and dentistry is no exception, has been escalating dramatically in recent years. We cannot control the economy or the industry, but what we can do is put specific arrangements in place to make our care financially viable. Maybe it will mean extending the time-frame of the treatment plan or tweaking it or finding some treatment alternatives, depending on your insurance coverage or personal financial situation. Maybe it will mean offering you no- or low-interest financing, if you qualify. We have options and they are meant to stretch further your ability to afford dental care with us.

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