Spanish-speaking dentist in Kendall: how to find the right fit

The short answer: ask four questions before you book

Finding a Spanish-speaking dentist in Kendall is not hard, because Miami is a bilingual city. The hard part is knowing whether an office can really explain your care in Spanish. Four questions on the phone will tell you.

Ask who speaks Spanish, whether that person is the dentist, the hygienist or only the front desk, whether the forms and treatment plans come in Spanish and whether someone can stay with you through the whole visit. A clear, confident answer is a good sign. A pause or a vague answer tells you to keep looking.

This matters more than most people think. You are asked to make decisions about your health, your money and your comfort. You should understand every word.

Why language matters in a dental chair

Miami-Dade is one of the most bilingual places in the country. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that about 75 percent of people age five and older in the county speak a language other than English at home, and about 71 percent are Hispanic or Latino. For many families here, Spanish is the language of home and of health.

Research backs up what patients already feel. A review of 33 studies in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that in 76 percent of them, patients saw at least one better result when they and their provider spoke the same language. Nine percent found worse results and 15 percent found no difference. The studies were mostly in medical care, not dentistry, and the authors noted the evidence is mixed in quality. Still, the pattern is clear: when you understand your care, you tend to do better.

In dentistry, the stakes are practical. You need to know how to care for a new filling, how to take your medicine after a tooth is removed and what a gum infection is and why it matters. You also sign consent forms before treatment. Those are not things to guess at.

Language also shapes trust. People skip care when they feel nobody will understand them, and small problems grow while they wait. That is why the American Dental Association puts interpreter services on its short list of things to check when you choose a dentist.

What "bilingual" can mean (and what it should mean)

The word is used loosely. Some offices say "we speak Spanish" when one person at the front desk does. That helps with scheduling, but it does not help when the dentist is explaining a root canal. Here are the levels you may find:

Ask for the level you need. If you only want help booking, a front desk speaker may be enough. If you have a complex plan ahead, such as dentures or an implant, you want the dentist and the hygienist to be able to explain things to you directly in Spanish.

• Front desk only: someone can answer the phone and book you in Spanish, but the exam is in English
• Hygienist or assistant: you can talk through your cleaning and home care in Spanish
• The dentist: the person who diagnoses and plans treatment can explain it in your language
• Written materials: forms, consent papers and after-care sheets are available in Spanish
• Interpreter service: a trained person, in the room or by phone, helps when the team cannot

Questions to ask when you call

You do not need to be shy. A good office gets these questions all the time. Try this list:

Listen to the tone as much as the words. An office that welcomes these questions usually welcomes patients. If someone sounds annoyed, or says "just bring your cousin," you have learned something useful before spending a minute in the chair.

• Who on the team speaks Spanish, and are they in the office on the days I can come?
• Will the dentist explain my diagnosis and treatment plan in Spanish, or will someone translate?
• Are the new patient forms and consent forms available in Spanish?
• If a treatment plan is complicated, can I take a written copy home?
• Do you take my insurance, and can someone explain my coverage in Spanish?
• What happens if I have an emergency? Can I reach someone who speaks Spanish?

A short Spanish-English dental word list

Even if you plan to speak mostly English, these words help you follow along and explain what you feel. Keep this list on your phone:

Spanish dental words differ a bit from country to country. Someone from Cuba, Colombia or Venezuela may use a different word for the same thing. If a word is new to you, point to the tooth or show the problem on your phone. Clear and calm beats perfect.

• Caries / cavidad: cavity
• Encías: gums
• Muela: molar (back tooth)
• Limpieza dental: cleaning
• Empaste or obturación: filling
• Endodoncia / tratamiento de conducto: root canal
• Corona: crown (a cap over a tooth)
• Dentadura: denture
• Implante: implant
• Dolor, sensibilidad, sangrado: pain, sensitivity, bleeding
• Radiografía: X-ray

Should a family member interpret for you?

Many people bring a son, daughter or friend to translate. It is kind of them, and it is better than nothing. But there are problems. Dental language is technical, even in your own language. A relative may not know the word for "gum disease," and might leave out details to protect you from worry.

Children should not interpret for adults at the dentist. It puts a young person in a hard spot, and the details can be lost. If you cannot find a dentist who speaks your language, ask the office whether they use a trained interpreter, by phone or video.

The best setup is a team member who speaks your language directly with you. If that is not possible, a trained interpreter is the next best choice. A family member can still come for support.

One more tip: for big decisions, such as a crown, an extraction or an implant, ask for a second visit just to talk. You can come back with your questions written down and a family member beside you.

What to bring and how to prepare

Come ready, and the visit goes smoother in any language. Bring a photo ID, your insurance card if you have one and a list of your medicines. Write down your questions in the language you think in. If it helps, write the symptoms too: where it hurts, when it started, what makes it better or worse.

Tell the office how you want to hear things. Some people want every detail. Others want the short version first. Both are fine. You can also ask the dentist to show you the problem on the screen or in a photo, which helps in any language.

Before you leave, repeat the plan back in your own words. For example: "So I need the filling next week, and I should avoid chewing on that side for two hours." If the team nods, you got it. If not, they can fix it right there.

If you use a medicine or have a health condition, say the name in both languages when you can, for example "anticoagulante, blood thinner." It avoids mix-ups and helps the team keep you safe.

What to expect at Kendall Dental Associates

We have cared for patients in Kendall since 1973, at 8833 SW 107th Ave in the Kendall Mall. Our website is available in English and Spanish, and many of our patients are from the neighborhoods around us.

We want you to feel understood, so we suggest you call 305-271-1421 before your first visit. Tell us which language you prefer, and ask who on the team can help you in it. We would rather give you a straight answer on the phone than have you find out at the front desk.

We are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with emergency care 24/7. We accept most dental insurances and most Medicare supplemental plans, and financing is available. Our hygienists spend an hour with you for routine cleanings, so there is time to ask your questions and get clear answers.

Common questions

This article is general information, not medical advice. Your dentist will confirm what is right for you at your exam. General information checked against: census.gov, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, mouthhealthy.org.