It’s a familiar scene at pretty much any medical appointment. No matter if you’re a new patient or have been going to the same practitioner for years, most likely you’re going to be asked to fill out your fair share of forms before your appointment. So, why does your dentist need so much information? Here’s a quick guide to what information your dentist needs, and why.  Patient InformationThis basic information section covers everything from your name, address, phone, email and even your Social Security number (SSN). Why do we need your SSN? Many patients' SSN are tied to their dental insurance. To process insurance claims, your dentist needs to provide that information to your insurer.