How To Choose A Dentist

Transcription

1 Choosing a dentist in Dallas for you or your family can be a daunting task. There are so many dental practices and all of them seem to offer different things. However, you will need to research different dental practices and compare their pros and cons and then match them with your needs. 1

2 Now, you may be thinking: "Who cares? Cleaning teeth isn t rocket science. All dentists are the same, right? Just open up the yellow pages - it s full of them." Well, there is one truth in that statement cleaning teeth is not rocket science. But neither is fixing a broken arm. Neither is prescribing medication. Neither is getting treated for a pinched nerve. But you wouldn't go to just any person to have those things done because people are generally very careful when it comes to choosing a doctor. You want someone who with a proven record who is qualified to handle your specific needs. Choosing a dentist is as just as important as choosing a doctor. Besides, your teeth are the forefront of your image and it is vital that you take good care of them. Regular exams and cleaning will help to prevent gum disease, tooth decay and other dental problems For some reason, there are people who don t take choosing a dentist seriously. Some people don t even see a dentist regularly to ensure good health. But consider these facts: Your teeth are a major part of your overall attractiveness. Having yellow, chipped, or rotten teeth can break your image almost immediately. Your teeth provide the structure for your face. If your teeth have to be removed, you can be left with a totally different face that is usually sunken in. Your teeth allow you to eat, which is important for survival. You have to be able to properly chew your food so that it can be digested. When something goes wrong with your teeth, it's really hard to fix it. Unhealthy teeth carry a lot of bacteria, which could leak into other parts of the body if it gets out of control. Regular cleaning and treatment of your teeth helps catch problems before they get out of control. Good dentists can help keep your teeth in good enough condition so you are never in any serious danger of major tooth or other health problems. Not all dentists are created equal and you should do your due diligence to find the dentist that is right for you. Now that you understand just how 2

3 import your teeth are, let s talk about a few things you should know before you choose a dentist. 1. Ask For Referrals One of the best ways to choose a dentist is to go by word of mouth. Ask your family and friends if they are happy with their dentists. Ask them about things like prices, personality, availability, convenience, satisfaction, and so forth. Ask them about other dentists they've seen, who they may not have enjoyed as much. If they really like a certain dentist, ask them why they like them so much. If they don t like a certain dentist, ask them why. The reason you should ask these questions is because everyone is different. So it s good to ask about experiences that are similar to your situation. For instance, if you re looking for a dentist to get a root canal, you want as much information relating to root canals as possible. So, you may ask your friends and family if they ve ever had a root canal done with a particular dentist. A cleaning and a root canal are two totally different services that yield totally different results. Basically, you want to gather as much information about potential dentists as you can. Then, compile a short list of good ones before moving on to the next step. 2. Check Out Their Credentials Before you let a perfect stranger start poking around inside your mouth, you must make sure that they are trustworthy. Here are a few ways you can do so: Find out if they are a member of the state or national dental association, as well as any other accredited groups. By belonging to certain groups, dentists are required to meet higher standards. This 3

4 works in your favor because they tend to provide much better care of their patients. They are usually well-qualified and hold some specializations in their field. In addition, they are constantly learning new and improved techniques to help take care of your teeth. Find out how long they ve been in practice. When comparing dentists, lean towards those who have been around the longest. A sustainable, successful practice means that they are doing something right. Visit their dental office. Once you have narrowed down your list of prospective dentists to three or so, take some time to visit their offices. The small cost of doing this is peanuts compared to the potential problems that could come down the road if you choose the wrong dentist. While there, ask about their latest technology, get information about the different services they offer, and find out if they are accepting new patients. Having a dentist that you trust is important because your care is in their hands. Just like with a doctor, you want to find a dentist that does great work, projects confidence, and most of all, somebody you are comfortable with. 3. Check the Services They Offer This may be one of the most important factors to consider when searching for a dentist. With today s technology, there are numerous ways to give you that beautiful, healthy smile. So you want a dentist that is capable of performing a wide variety of services even if you don t need those services right now. You never know what you will need to have done later and the last thing you want is to try to find another dentist to take care of it. Cosmetic dentistry is extremely popular today. Here is a short list of cosmetic procedures that most dentists offer: Teeth Whitening and Bleaching to improve the appearance of teeth Porcelain Veneers to protect teeth Dental Implants to correct missing teeth Colored Dental Fillings to match the rest of your teeth Tooth Contouring and Reshaping to improve overall appearance of teeth 4

5 And the list goes on! If you have children, you also want to know if they perform pediatric dentistry. Find out what age the dentist takes too because some of them don t work with children of all ages. Last but not least, find out if the dentist is taking new patients. There s nothing more frustrating than going through all the hoops of getting referrals and visiting dentist offices just to find out later that they re not even taking new patients.. 4. Consider Location, Operating Hours, and Emergency Care The location of the dentist office is extremely important. You want a dentist that is reasonably close to your home or workplace so you don t have to drive way across town whenever you need to visit. Sometimes, people have to go to the dentists during the work day as many of them do not offer after late day or weekend service. So it s more convenient when you can get there quickly. Also, you re more likely to actually GO to the dentist if it s easy to get to. Hours of operation may be important to you if you can only visit the dentist at very specific times. If you work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. then you will want to find a dental practice that is open late or available on the weekends to alleviate any hassles that come with scheduling and keeping an appointment. You also may want a dentist that offers after-hours emergency care. Not all dentists offer this, but it is a good thing to have in the case of a dental emergency. Accidents happen and sometimes they result in missing teeth and excruciating pain. In emergency situations, most people feel more comfortable going to their dentist rather than having to go to a stranger. If you are OK with seeing another dentist, you might not be concerned about this option. 5. Make sure they accept your insurance. Dental insurance offsets the high cost of dental treatment and allows you to have regular preventative care and to deal with problems promptly. 5

6 Insurance is pretty much useless if your dentist doesn't accept your particular plan. There are several easy ways to find this out: Call up the dental offices you are considering and ask them if they accept your insurance. Use a free dental referral service like DENTIST. Referral services will generally ask specific questions about your particular needs to help you find a dentist who accepts your insurance plan. If your dental insurance is provided through your employer, ask for referrals from your co-workers as it is likely they are visiting dentists who accept the plan. As mentioned earlier, they can also share their personal experiences with the dentist to help you decide. Not everyone has dental insurance, but if you do, this is one of the first things you want to find out. Dental visits and procedures can be quite costly, so be sure to ask if they accept your insurance. Finding a dentist that honors your insurance will surely help your wallet out. In conclusion, when looking for a new dentist, you want to make sure that: 1. They have a great reputation. 2. They are certified by accredited dental organization. 3. They are experienced and provide services that are in line with your dental needs. 4. Their location and hours fits your needs. 5. They accept your insurance. These are the most important factors to keep in mind when looking for a new dentist. Obviously, some factors will sway your decision more than others, depending on your dental needs. Take your time and do some research before finally choosing a dentist for your oral health needs. At WDental, our number one goal is to help our client first understand their dental needs and then help guide them on the path to a brighter, more beautiful smile. Contact us at (972) to start your journey! 6