What to Look for When Choosing a Dentist
by Vicki Fidler
Dental health care providers are numerous and specialized in most areas. If you’re new to the area and looking for a dentist, it can be overwhelming. If you’ve been to a few dentists and still haven’t quite found a fit, we might be able to help. Many of our patients have complained of similar woes – visits to multiple offices trying to find something that is both convenient and quality. That’s why we’ve decided to put together this little guide – something to give prospective patients a bit of a map when searching for dental services. These are only some basic suggestions. Absent from this list is a primary factor – location – because most people are already taking that into account.
Interaction
This is something you can only really find out in person, but a dentist’s bedside manner is important. Many people have joked about the conversations dentists engage in while working on teeth – the difficulty of communication makes it border on futile. However, as a dentist, this time is important for establishing a connection with patients. Even if it is uncomfortable, this is how dentists really get to know their patients. If you’re looking for a dentist that interacts with and respects you, you should be looking for this kind of behavior. Otherwise, you risk becoming little else but a set of teeth.
Services Offered
Depending on the type of oral care you need, you may be able to trim down the list of potential offices to visit. Family dentistry doesn’t always include much in the way of cosmetics. If you’re interested in whitening your smile, for example, beyond basic cleaning, you may need to seek out an office that specifically offers teeth whitening. Orthodontics and gum shaping are other services that aren’t commonly offered. It doesn’t make any sense to travel to one dentist to have your teeth cleaned and cavities filled, then go somewhere else for other procedures. Centralizing your dentist trips will save you time and money.
Testimonials
Testimonials are an important source of information. We always recommend those searching for a dentist to visit review sites. Not only can this be a quick way to find the services offered and their specific proficiency in each, it will give you an idea of the size of the office, information like average waiting room time, personality of the staff, and so forth. You have to be prepared to filter out some of the reviews, however. Even expert businesses with outstanding services and service records will have the occasional dissatisfied customer.
If you’re looking for a dentist, consider us. We offer a wide range of services from general dentistry to cosmetic dentistry. If you have any questions about these services, or if you have any concerns about finding an appropriate dentist, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You’re also invited to make an appointment.
