Most people go into a first dental appointment expecting to answer questions, not ask them. You fill out the forms, sit in the chair, and open wide. Twenty minutes later you’re back in your car on Ventura Boulevard, and you still don’t know much about the person who just looked at your teeth.

Your first visit is the best chance you’ll get to find out whether a practice is the right fit. Knowing the Questions to Ask a Top Dentist in Encino can help you compare practices based on experience, communication, technology, and the kind of care you can expect.

A good place to start is understanding what a practice actually offers. You can also explore dental care and services available at the practice before your visit.

1. Who Will I Actually See, and What’s Their Background?

At some practices you see a different dentist at every visit. Ask who will handle your care and what training they bring.

At The Dental Office Encino, you’ll see one of two dentists: Dr. Alan Howard or his son, Dr. Yonatan Howard.

Dr. Alan Howard has served Encino patients since 1991. He graduated from Hadassah Medical School at The Hebrew University and trained with some of the most respected names in cosmetic dentistry. He is a member of the Spear Advanced Dental Education Faculty Club and keeps up with continuing education every month. His focus includes cosmetic and restorative dentistry, laser gum treatment, sleep apnea, snoring, and TMJ disorder.

Dr. Yonatan Howard earned his D.D.S. from UCSF. He focuses on CEREC same-day restorations, 3D-guided implant surgery, and laser periodontal surgery. He is also a certified Invisalign® provider for patients interested in clear aligners.

So you get two generations of experience under one roof, and patients notice. As one put it, “Both Dr. Howards are great.”

2. What Technology Will You Use to Check My Teeth?

The equipment in an office shapes how much a dentist can see, how precisely they can plan treatment, and how many trips you’ll make to get something fixed. Asking about it is a quick way to tell whether a practice has kept up.

The Dental Office Encino uses digital X-rays and cone beam 3D imaging, which give the doctors a detailed view of your teeth, bone, and jaw. When a tooth needs a crown or onlay, CEREC technology lets the office design and place the restoration in a single visit. LANAP laser therapy is available for gum treatment.

Beth, a patient who switched to the practice, said she wanted a dentist with better equipment and better bedside manner. In her words, “I found exactly what I was looking for.”

3. Will You Walk Me Through What You Find Before Recommending Treatment?

This question tells you more than any other. A good dentist shows you what they see, explains why it matters, and lays out your options before anything starts. You should leave knowing what’s going on in your mouth, not just holding a treatment plan you don’t understand.

Patient-focused care is built into how the Drs. Howard work. They listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and build treatment plans around your needs. Boris, a longtime patient, put it this way: “They explain everything they do ahead of time, walk you through the procedures making sure you know exactly what’s happening.”

That approach also aligns with the American Dental Association’s emphasis on involving patients in treatment decisions and explaining reasonable alternatives so they can participate meaningfully in their care. American Dental Association: Patient Autonomy

If another office has already told you that you need major work, The Dental Office Encino also offers consultations and second opinions. It’s a low-pressure way to get a second set of eyes on your situation.

4. What Can You Handle Here, and What Gets Sent Out?

Being referred to three different offices for one problem gets old fast. Ask up front what the practice handles in-house.

At The Dental Office Encino, the answer covers most of what people need:

• Preventive care: exams and cleanings, with visits twice a year recommended for the whole family.
• General dentistry: cavities, fillings, and gum problems.
• Cosmetic dentistry: veneers, bonding, teeth whitening, and full smile makeovers.
• Restorative dentistry: dental implants, crowns, bridges, and dentures.
• Custom appliances: clear aligners, snore guards, sleep apnea devices, and TMJ treatment.

The practice treats patients of all ages, so parents, kids, and grandparents can see the same team. Mary, who brings her family in, summed it up: “Our family has gotten really good care there, and we can always get in quickly when we need to.”

5. How Do Insurance and Payment Work?

Nobody likes a surprise bill. Ask which plans the office accepts and how payment works before any treatment begins.

The Dental Office Encino accepts all PPO indemnity insurance plans. For larger treatments, the office offers CareCredit, a third-party financing option with no- and low-interest payment plans. Credit cards, cash, and checks are also accepted. If you’re unsure what your plan covers, call before your visit and the team can walk you through it.

One more thing worth knowing: the staff speaks English, Spanish, and Hebrew. If you’d be more comfortable discussing your care in a language other than English, ask about that when you book.

What the Answers Tell You

The specific answers matter, but so does how you get them. A practice worth sticking with will answer clearly, take its time, and seem glad you asked. If you get vague replies or feel rushed out the door, that tells you something too.

You’re not only evaluating qualifications or equipment. You’re also finding out whether the dentist listens, explains treatment clearly, and gives you enough information to make decisions about your care.

Stephanie, a patient at The Dental Office Encino, said something most people never expect to say about the dentist: “I genuinely look forward to my dental appointments, and I never thought I’d be able to say that!”

Book Your First Visit

If you’re using these Questions to Ask a Top Dentist in Encino to compare practices, bring them with you to your first appointment. The goal isn’t simply to find a dentist with impressive credentials. It’s to find a dental team you can trust with your care over time.

Dr. Alan Howard and Dr. Yonatan Howard are taking new patients and families. The office is at 17071 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 102, in Encino, and serves patients from Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, Van Nuys, Woodland Hills, and nearby neighborhoods.

Call 818-300-0333 to schedule your first appointment and bring your questions. You can also contact the office online to arrange a visit.