How to choose a dental clinic in Mandaue or Cebu: ten questions to ask

Choosing a dental clinic is a decision you make once and live with for years, especially for implants, crowns and veneers that are meant to last decades. Location and price are easy to compare; what matters more is who treats you, how they plan, and what happens after the visit. Here are ten questions worth asking any clinic in Mandaue, Cebu City or Mactan, including ours.

1. Who will actually treat me?

Ask the name of the dentist who will see you and whether the same dentist sees you at every visit. In larger clinics the person at the consultation and the person doing the work can differ. Continuity matters most for long treatments like implants, where one dentist should own the plan from start to finish.

2. What is their training and experience in this treatment?

A dentist in the Philippines holds a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree and a licence from the Professional Regulation Commission. Beyond that, ask what further training they have in the treatment you need, and how often they do it. A straight answer is a good sign; vagueness is not.

3. Will I get a written treatment plan before I commit?

You should leave the consultation with a written plan that lists each step, the number of visits, and each item with its own cost. If prices are only given verbally, or as one number with no breakdown, you cannot compare clinics fairly. Ivory Premier does not publish prices for this reason: every plan is written for the person in front of us.

4. What are my alternatives, and why this one?

A good dentist explains the options, including doing nothing for now, and says why she recommends one. If a clinic recommends only its most expensive option, or only the one it happens to offer, ask why.

5. How do you sterilise instruments?

Instruments should be cleaned and sterilised in an autoclave and opened from sealed pouches in front of you, with gloves, masks and surface covers changed between patients. You are allowed to ask, and a clinic that is proud of its sterilisation will show you.

6. What happens if something goes wrong?

Ask what the aftercare is, who you call if there is a problem at night or on a weekend, and what happens if a crown chips or an implant fails. The answer tells you whether the clinic sees the visit as a transaction or the start of a relationship.

7. How do you protect my health information?

Clinics in the Philippines must follow the Data Privacy Act. Your records, X-rays and photos should be stored securely, seen only by staff who need them, and never posted without your separate written consent. Ask how photos are handled before anyone takes one.

8. Can a medical doctor be involved if I need one?

If you have diabetes, heart disease, take blood thinners or are planning a long treatment, it helps when the dental clinic can coordinate with a physician. At Ivory Premier, Dr. Kim Cuizon, a family medicine doctor, works alongside Dr. Kirsten, so medical questions can be answered under one roof.

9. How does the clinic handle time?

Ask how long appointments are and whether the clinic runs on time. Implant and aesthetic work needs unhurried visits. A clinic that double-books will show it in the waiting room.

10. How does it feel to be there?

You will spend hours in this chair. Notice whether the staff listen, whether the dentist explains without jargon, and whether you feel rushed. Trust is not a luxury in dentistry; it is what makes you come back for the checkup that catches a problem early.

A short checklist to bring

• Who treats me, and is it the same person each visit?
• Training and experience in this specific treatment
• Written plan with itemised costs, before I decide
• Alternatives explained
• Visible sterilisation
• Aftercare and emergency contact
• Privacy and photo consent
• Access to a medical doctor if needed
• Unhurried appointments
• Do I feel listened to?

About Ivory Premier

Ivory Premier is a dental and medical aesthetics clinic at The Retail Bloc, Casa Mira Towers, Alang-alang, Mandaue City, led by Dr. Kirsten Socito-Cuizon, DMD, and Dr. Kim Cuizon, MD, FAMI. Dental implants are our main focus. Bring this list to your consultation and ask us every question on it. Request a consultation.