You Should Understand the Plan Before Agreeing
Ask about language support before your visit, clarify who will interpret and request an explanation you understand before deciding on treatment.
Arrange support before the visit
Tell the office your preferred language and what help you need for speaking, reading or understanding clinical explanations. Ask what interpretation arrangements are available, who organizes them and whether there is a cost. Do not assume a particular language is available from the clinic.
A companion may help you feel comfortable, but ask whether a trained interpreter would better support a complex or sensitive discussion. Consider privacy and whether you want some of the visit to take place without family present.
Pause when meaning is unclear
The RCDSO explains that informed consent involves understanding the proposed treatment, relevant risks and benefits, alternatives and consequences of declining it. Signing a form without understanding the discussion does not solve a communication problem.[1]
Ask the dentist to explain again in shorter steps, then describe the plan back in your own words. Request written instructions in a format you can use and a way to ask follow-up questions. You can say that you need clarification before making a decision.