Making a Doctor's Appointment

Doctor's Assistant: Good morning, Doctor Jensen's

office. How may I help you?
Patient: Hello, I'd like to make an appointment to see
Doctor Jensen, please.

Doctor's Assistant: Have you been in to see Doctor

Jensen before?
Patient: Yes, I have. I had a physical last year.

Doctor's Assistant: Fine, what is your name?

Patient: This is Maria Sanchez.

Doctor's Assistant: Thank you Ms Sanchez, let me pull

up your file.
Patient: I haven't been feeling very well lately.

Doctor's Assistant: Do you need urgent care?

Patient: No, not necessarily, but I'd like to see the
doctor soon.

Doctor's Assistant: Of course, how about next Monday?

There's a slot available at 10 in the morning.
Patient: I'm afraid I'm working at 10. Is there anything
available after three?

Doctor's Assistant: Let me see. Not on Monday, but we

have a three o'clock opening next Wednesday. Would you
like to come in then?
Patient: Yes, next Wednesday at three would be great.
Doctor's Assistant: Alright, I'll pencil you in for three
o'clock next Wednesday.
Patient: Thank you for your help.

Doctor's Assistant: You're welcome. We'll see you next

week. Goodbye.
Patient: Goodbye.

Key Making an Appointment Phrases

How may I help you?

I'd like to make an appointment
Have you been in before?
I had a physical (examination)
This is ...
to pull up a file
I haven't been feeling very well.
urgent care
a slot available
Is there anything open (available) ...
to pencil someone in

Making an Appointment with the Dentist

Dentist Office Assistant: Good morning, Beautiful

Smile Dentistry, this is Jamie. How may I help you
today?
Patient: Good morning, I'd like to schedule a check-up.
Dentist Office Assistant: I'd be happy to do that for
you. Have you been to Beautiful Smile before?
Patient: Yes, I have. My last check-up was six months
ago.

Dentist Office Assistant: Great. Can I get your name,

please?
Patient: Yes, of course, sorry. My name is Ron
Appleman.

Dentist Office Assistant: Thank you Mr. Appleman.

Which dentist did you see on your last check-up?
Patient: I'm not sure, really.

Dentist Office Assistant: That's OK. Let me check your

chart... Oh, Dr. Lee.
Patient: Yes, that's right.

Dentist Office Assistant: OK... Dr. Lee has time next

Friday in the morning.
Patient: Hmmm... that's not good. I've got work. How
about the week after that?

Dentist Office Assistant: Yes, Dr. Lee has some times

open. Would you like to suggest a time?
Patient: Does he have anything open in the afternoon?

Dentist Office Assistant: Yes, we could fit you in on

Thursday, January 14th at 2.30 in the afternoon.
Patient: Great. That'll work.
Dentist Office Assistant: OK, thank you for calling Mr.
Appleman, we'll see you next week.
Patient: Thank you, bye bye.

Dentist Office Assistant: Goodbye.

Patient:

Key Making an Appointment Phrases

This is ...
How may I help you?
I'd like to schedule / I'd like to make an appointment
check-up
Have you been to X before?
Can I get your name? / May I have your name?
Which dentist / doctor did you see?
Dr. X has time next ...
Would you like to suggest a time?
Does he / she have something open ...?
We can / could fit you in ...
Thank you for calling.

Getting Patient Details

Administrative Staff: Hello, how can I help you?

Patient: I've got an appointment with Dr. Adams.

Administrative Staff: Are you Ms Moyers?

Patient: Yes, I am. I have an appointment at ten.
Administrative Staff: We just need to fill in some
information for our files. Could you fill out these forms?
Patient: Certainly ... (comes back after filling out the
forms) What's this form for?

Administrative Staff: It's just a privacy form informing

you of our policies.
Patient: Is that really necessary?

Administrative Staff: I'm afraid it is. Could you also

sign that form?
Patient: OK, there you go. Here's my insurance
provider's card.

Administrative Staff: Thank you. OK, that'll be $20.

Patient: Why do I have to pay $20?

Administrative Staff: It's the deductible for office visits

required by your health care provider.
Patient: ... but I'm insured aren't I?

Administrative Staff: Yes, of course. Your health care

provider asks for deductibles on office visits.
Patient: Every time I turn around I've got some
additional fee to pay. I don't know why I pay for
insurance!

Administrative Staff: I know it's frustrating. We also

have a lot of paperwork. Every provider has different
forms and requirements!
Patient: This can't continue on like this!

Administrative Staff: I agree with that!

Helping a Patient

Patient: Nurse, I think I might have a fever. It's so cold

in here!
Nurse: Here, let me check your forehead.

Patient: What do you think?

Nurse: Your temperature seems raised. Let me get a
thermometer to check.

Patient: How do I raise my bed? I can't find the controls.

Nurse: Here you are. Is that better?

Patient: Could I have another pillow?

Nurse: Certainly, Here you are. Is there anything else I
can do for you?

Patient: No, thank you.

Nurse: OK, I'll be right back with the thermometer.

Patient: Oh, just a moment. Can you bring me another

bottle of water, too?
Nurse: Certainly, I'll be back in a moment.

Key Vocabulary

fever
to check someone's forehead
raised temperature
thermometer
to raise / lower the bed
controls
pillow

Feeling Queasy

Nurse: Good morning, Mr Adams. How are you doing

today?
Patient: Horrible! I can't eat anything! I just feel sick to
my stomach. Take the tray away.

Nurse: That's too bad. I'll just put this over here for
now. Have you felt queasy for very long?
Patient: I woke up during the middle of the night. I
couldn't get back to sleep, and now I feel terrible.

Nurse: Have you been to the toilet? Any diarrhea or

vomiting?
Patient: I've been to the toilet twice, but no diarrhea or
vomiting. Perhaps, I should drink something. Can I have
a cup of tea?

Nurse: Certainly, I'll get you a cup immediately. Would

you like black tea or peppermint tea?
Patient: Peppermint, please. Do you think I could have
another blanket? I'm so cold. I think I'm getting the
chills.

Nurse: Here's an extra blanket. Let me tuck you in.

Patient: You're so sweet. What is your name?
Nurse: My name is Alice. I'll be on shift during the day
for the next few days.
Patient: Hello Alice. My name is Jack. Nice to meet you.

Nurse: Let's get you feeling better Jack! Is there

anything else I can get for you?
Patient: That's alright. I think a cup of tea and a warm
blanket should help.

Nurse: OK. I'll be back as soon as the tea is ready.

Patient: Thank you.

Key Vocabulary

to feel queasy
to feel sick to one's stomach
tray
to wake up
to feel terrible, awful, horrible
to get (go) back to sleep
to be to the toilet
diarrhea
vomit
black tea, peppermint tea
blanket
to get the chills
to tuck someone in

A Physical Examination
Doctor: When did you last come in for a physical exam?
Patient: I had my last physical two years ago.

Doctor: Have you had any other exams recently? Blood

work, an EKG or an ultra-sound?
Patient: Well, I had a few X-rays at the dentist's.

Doctor: How have you been feeling in general?

Patient: Pretty well. No complaints, really.

Doctor: Could you roll up your left sleeve? I'd like to

take your blood pressure.
Patient: Certainly.

Doctor: 120 over 80. That's fine. You don't seem to be

overweight, that's good. Do you exercise regularly?
Patient: No, not really. If I run up a flight of stairs, it
takes me a while to get my breath back. I need to get
out more.

Doctor: That would be a good idea. How about your

diet?
Patient: I think I eat a pretty balanced diet. You know,
I'll have a hamburger from time to time, but generally I
have well-balanced meals.

Doctor: That's good. Now, I'm going to listen to your

heart.
Patient: Ooh, that's cold!

Doctor: Don't worry it's just my stethoscope. Now,

breathe in and hold your breath. Please pull up your
shirt, and breathe deeply... Everything sounds good.
Let's take a look at your throat. Please open wide and
say 'ah'.
Patient: 'ah'

Doctor: OK. Everything looks ship shape. I'm going to

order some blood work and that's about it. Take this slip
to the front desk and they'll arrange an appointment for
the tests.
Patient: Thank you doctor. Have a nice day.

Key Vocabulary

physical examination (exam)

blood work
EKG
ultra-sound
x-rays
to roll up sleeves
overweight - underweight
to exercise regularly
balanced diet
well-balanced meals
stethoscope
to breath in
to hold one's breath
to pull on one's shirt
to breathe deeply
to open wide
to look ship shape
slip
front desk
to arrange an appointment
Joint Pain

Patient: Good morning. Doctor Smith?

Doctor: Yes, please come in.

Patient: Thank you. My name is Doug Smith.

Doctor: What have you come in for today Ms Anders?

Patient: I've been having some pain in my joints,

especially the knees.
Doctor: How long have you been having the pain?

Patient: I'd say it started three or four months ago. It's

been getting worse recently.
Doctor: Are you having any other problems like
weakness, fatigue or headaches?

Patient: Well I've certainly felt under the weather.

Doctor: Right. How much physical activity do you get?
Do you play any sports?

Patient: Some. I like to play tennis about once a week. I

take my dog on a walk every morning.
Doctor: OK. Let's have a look. Can you point to the area
where you are having pain?

Key Vocabulary

joint pain
knees
weakness
fatigue
headache
to feel under the weather
physical activity
to play sports
to have pain

DENTAL HYGIENE

Sam: Hello.
Gina the Dental Hygienist: Hello Mr. Waters. I'm Gina.
I'll be cleaning your teeth today.

Sam: Dr. Peterson has just filled two cavities. Why do I

need a cleaning?
Gina the Dental Hygienist: Well, we have to make get
your teeth and gums clean and disease free.

Sam: I guess that makes sense.

Gina the Dental Hygienist: Oral health leads to
trouble-free teeth. I'll start off by removing plaque.
Please lean back and open wide.

Sam: OK, I hope it's not too bad.

Gina the Dental Hygienist: Everybody gets plaque,
even if they floss regularly. That's why it's important to
come in twice a year for check-ups.
Sam: (getting his teeth cleaned, can't say much...)
Gina the Dental Hygienist: OK, please take a drink and
rinse.

Sam: Ah, that's better.

Gina the Dental Hygienist: OK, now I'll apply some
fluoride. Which flavor would you like?

Sam: I have a choice?

Gina the Dental Hygienist: Sure, we have mint,
spearmint, orange or bubble-gum - that's for the kids.

Sam: I'd like to have the bubble-gum!

Gina the Dental Hygienist: OK. (applies fluoride) Now,
let me give your teeth a final flossing.

Sam: What type of floss tape do you recommend?

Gina the Dental Hygienist: Personally, I like the flat
tape. It's easier to get between the teeth.

Sam: OK, I'll remember that the next time I buy floss.
How often should I floss?
Gina the Dental Hygienist: Everyday! Twice a day if
possible! Some people like to floss after every meal, but
that's not absolutely necessary.

Sam: (after finishing the cleaning) I feel much better.

Thank you.
Gina the Dental Hygienist: My pleasure. Have a
pleasant day, and remember to floss every day - at least
once a day!

Key Vocabulary
to clean someone's teeth
dental hygienist
to fill cavities
gums
disease free
oral health
to lead to
plaque
to remove plaque
to floss
check-up
to rinse
fluoride
to apply fluoride
flavor
flossing
floss tape
floss after meals

Some Troubling Symptoms

Patient: Good afternoon.

Doctor: Good afternoon. Have a seat. So, what have you

come in for today?
Patient: Thank you. I'm feeling ill, I've got quite a bad
cough, but I don't seem to have a fever.

Doctor: I see. How long have you had these symptoms?

Patient: Oh, I've had the cough for two weeks, but
feeling ill just these past few days.
Doctor: Are you having any other problems?
Patient: Well, I've got a headache. I've also had a little
bit of diarrhea.

Doctor: Do you produce any phlegm when coughing?

Patient: Sometimes, but it's usually pretty dry.

Doctor: Do you smoke?

Patient: Yes, a few cigarettes a day. Certainly no more
than a half a pack a day.

Doctor: How about allergies? Do you have any allergies?

Patient: Not that I'm aware of.

Doctor: Does your head feel stuffy?

Patient: Yes, for the past few days.

Doctor: OK. Now let's have a look. Could you please

open your mouth and say 'ah'?

Key Vocabulary

symptoms
to feel ill
cough
fever
to have a cough
headache
diarrhea
phlegm
to cough
allergy
stuffy
to feel stuffy

Pain that Comes and Goes

Doctor: How long have you been having this pain?

Patient: It started in June. So for more than five months
now. My stomach hurts after some meals, but not
always.

Doctor: You should have come in earlier. Let's get to the

bottom of this. Have you changed your eating habits
during this period?
Patient: No, not really. Well, that's not true. I'm eating
the same foods, but less. You know, the pain seems to
come and go.

Doctor: How strong is the pain exactly? On a scale of

one to ten, how would you describe the intensity of the
pain?
Patient: Well, I'd say the pain is about a two on a scale
of one to ten. Like I say, it's not really bad. It just keeps
coming back...

Doctor: How long does the pain last when you get it?
Patient: It comes and goes. Sometimes, I hardly feel
anything. Other times, it can last up to half an hour or
more.

Doctor: Is there a type of food that seems to cause

stronger pain than other types?
Patient: Hmmm ... heavy foods like steak or lasagna
usually brings it on. I've been trying to avoid those.
Doctor: Does the pain travel to any other parts of your
body - chest, shoulder or back? Or does it remain around
the stomach area.
Patient: No, it just hurts here.

Key Vocabulary

pain
stomach
to hurt
to get to the bottom of something
eating habits
to come and go
on a scale of one to ten
to keep coming back
to last (an amount of time)
heavy foods
to avoid
chest
shoulder
back