How to choose the right dentist for You?
8 Tips for Choosing a Dentist 1 1. Get Referrals. Get started by creating a list of potential dentists. ... 2 2. Research the Dentist’s Credentials. ... 3 3. Consider the Dentist’s Experience. ... 4 4. Consider Gender. ... 5 5. Ask About Telehealth Capabilities. ... 6 6. Evaluate Communication Style. ... 7 8. Know What Your Insurance Covers
How do I find a good dental practice?
If you don’t have benefits or have trouble affording dental services, your local health department or nearby dental schools can help you find care. Here are some helpful resources. Once you’ve found a few good candidates, visit their websites and see if their offices are on social media to learn more about them.
What should I bring to my first visit to the dentist?
“Make a list of questions and bring your records so the dentist can take a look at your dental history if you want to ask something more specific.” You’ll also be able to see if the office is welcoming, comfortable and neat.
How do I choose the best dental insurance plan for me?
To receive the most dental insurance benefits and pay the least out-of-pocket for your care, you may need to choose a dentist who participates in your plan. You should still consider credentials, experience, outcomes, and hospital quality as you select a dentist from your plan.
What are the different types of dental care?
Depending on your dental needs, it might be useful to ask if the dentist specializes in any areas, such as: 1 Orthodontics (treating misaligned teeth) 2 Periodontics (gum care) 3 Endodontics (root canal therapy) 4 Pediatric Dentistry (youth dental care) 5 Prosthodontics (fixing broken or missing teeth) 6 Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery (surgery of the face, mouth, and jaw)
Why do people change dentists?
Futuredontics found 46% of survey respondents said they would leave a dental practice if the quality of care was too low . Quality work makes it less likely you’ll have to return quickly because of procedures done improperly. Without meeting dentists personally, one way you can estimate their work quality is through their professional qualifications.
What is the most important thing to consider when choosing a dentist?
Research the Dentist’s Credentials. Board certification is one of the most important factors to consider when you are choosing a dentist. It tells you that the dentist has the necessary training, skills and experience to provide healthcare in general dentistry.
Why is it important to have a dental checkup?
Routine dental checkups and treatment by a dentist can help keep your teeth, mouth and gums healthy and prevent dental disease. And poor oral health can contribute to other health risks including cardiovascular disease.
Is gender important in dental care?
When it comes to certain types of dental care, your own gender is also an important consideration. And dentists are becoming more skilled in caring for women and men differently. Ask the dentist about his or her recent training and experience specifically related to your condition and your gender. 5.
When visiting a dentist, should you pay attention to what equipment he uses?
When visiting the dentist’s office, you should pay attention to what equipment he uses. The clinic must have everything you need to perform any treatment, even the most complex and labor-intensive tasks. You should be comfortable when visiting a doctor.
What do dentists use before starting treatment?
Dentists with a good level of training before starting treatment use modern diagnostic tools that allow you to get a complete picture of the current state of health of the person who applied.
Why do dentists serve patients together?
In any self-respecting clinic, doctors serve patients together – the leading dentist and his assistant. This helps to save time, speed up the service of each patient, and preserve the sterility of the hands.
Do dentists use anesthesia?
Experienced dentists always use anesthesia in the treatment process. Calls to be patient if a person has no personal restrictions on the use of painkillers should alert you. At the same time, a qualified specialist will probably offer to take a test to identify the presence of a potential allergy to drugs.
What to consider when choosing a dentist?
Here are eight things to consider when choosing a dentist: 1. Training. Research the extent of training and clinical experience that a prospective dentist has , particularly with regard to specialty procedures. For example, not all dentists are trained in performing the full array of cosmetic or restorative procedures and may in fact refer certain ...
What is referred to a general dentist?
3. Referrals. General dentists may refer complex restorative or cosmetic cases to colleagues if they are not equipped to provide certain treatments. If you are not concerned with a scenario in which you are referred to another dentist for treatment, you should inquire as to the specifics of the referral process. 4.
What are some examples of dental anxiety?
Dental anxiety is common to the point that many practices offer a variety of services catered towards patient comfort. Pre medication and nitrous oxide are fairly obvious examples, but some practices go so far as to offer headphones, massage, aromatherapy and more to help put patients at ease.
Is dental anxiety common?
Dental anxiety is common to the point that many practices offer a variety of services catered towards patient comfort. Pre medication and nitrous oxide are fairly obvious examples, but some practices go so far as to offer headphones, massage, aromatherapy and more to help put patients at ease.
Can a general dentist refer a case to another dentist?
General dentists may refer complex restorative or cosmetic cases to colleagues if they are not equipped to provide certain treatments. If you are not concerned with a scenario in which you are referred to another dentist for treatment, you should inquire as to the specifics of the referral process.
Do all dentists offer the same services?
Not all dentists or practices offer the same services. If you are looking for a specific treatment or product brand, it is imperative that you inquire as to whether a given practice caters to it. For example, you may have seen advertising for Invisalign and are interested in that procedure.
Do dentists keep pictures of past patients?
Most dentists keep a gallery of past patients that includes pictures of their teeth before and after treatment. This can be extremely helpful when evaluating the quality of work you can expect with a dentist. If your needs are cosmetic, it can be even more helpful when evaluating all your cosmetic options, including teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, etc.
What to look for when choosing a dentist?
One of the key factors you can consider when choosing a dentist is to look for board certification. This can tell you if the potential dentist has the required skills, training, and experience to give proper healthcare in dentistry.
Why do dentists have to be comfortable with gender?
Today, dentists are even becoming quite skilled in handling men and women differently. Therefore, you should ask the dentist their experience and training specifically when it comes to your gender and condition.
What do dental hygienists do?
A dental hygienist may usually cover your chest with a paper cloth or plastic, and you may even receive eye shields to wear. You may notice a tray of metals and some ultrasonic tools, too. The hygienist utilises these while working your teeth one at a time to remove any build-up of tartar and plaque on the surfaces as well as along the gumline. They may even floss between the teeth.
What is telehealth in dentistry?
Dentists are trained to diagnose and treat patients utilising telecommunications technology, like smartphones, two-way video, and email – it’s known as telehealth. So you should ask them if they provide telehealth services.
Why is it important to have experience in dental?
When you face an oral health problem, experience matters a lot. The more experience your dentist has with the dental procedure or condition, the better the results are going to be. Besides, training is important for dental specialties, such as endodontics and orthodontics.
Is it a good idea to go to the dentist?
If the idea of going to the dentist feels overwhelming, it’s a good idea to understand that dentists have your best interests in their hearts. In other words, a dentist should be considered as a partner in your oral health.
Do I need dental insurance?
Dental insurance coverage is a practical issue. To pay less out-of-pocket for dental care and get the most dental insurance benefits, you must choose a dentist who is involved in your plan. You also need to consider their experience, credentials, hospital quality, and outcomes as you choose a dentist from your plan.
Start with the Basics
Regular visits are key to a healthy smile, so start with the details that work best with your lifestyle and dental care needs. Some things to consider include:
Launch the Search
Now that you’re looking for a dentist, you’re probably noticing advertisements online, in the newspaper and even in your mailbox. Social media sites may also have patient reviews of dentists near you, but remember that every person’s dental health needs and experiences are their own.
Meet and Greet
To find the right dentist, don’t be shy about calling or visiting the dentists on your list before deciding. “Schedule consultation time with the dentist to meet with the dentist and staff before making an appointment,” Dr. Taylor-Osborne says.
Pick a Partner
Above all, you want to choose a dentist who can be a part of your total health care team. “So much of your dental health can impact your overall health,” Dr. Taylor-Osborne says. “Look for someone who can be a coach to motivate you, a trusted advisor to turn to when health issues arise and a partner to make dental care decisions with.”