Perfect teeth create excellent impressions, and of course, you bag that elusive business deal or attract that opportunity you want! The million-dollar question is, where do you get a dentist you can trust?
Things to Look for in a Good Dentist
There are some essential qualities that your dentist should have, apart from having the right qualifications and certifications. They are:
Patient education:
Your dentist should not only know the dental procedure you need to get your teeth healthy; they should also educate you about the process, including the risks involved in it. They should explain the complete procedure in simple language and in a step-by-step manner.
The pros and cons should be shared with you, and you should make the final decision. For example, teeth whitening seems simple, and you might feel like going for a DIY procedure without knowing the risks.
Going to a teeth whitening dentist ensures that the condition of your teeth is examined, including the stains minimizing risks associated with the procedure.
Work Consistently:
Dental procedures take a lot of time, and your dentist should have steady hands to carry out the procedure gently and with patience. Their energy levels should be consistent throughout the procedure as one wrong move due to tiredness could be disastrous for your teeth.
When you know your doctor is stable while performing the procedure, you will feel more confident as a patient. Whitening your teeth also need accuracy and stability, and this is best performed by your dentist. If you want the best teeth whitening kit, there are a lot of natural remedies, but each comes with its set of problems.
Excellent Communication Skills:
Not only should your dentist provide information about the procedure you require for your teeth, but they should also be able to clearly explain to you the additional procedures, medication, and precautions to be taken so that you don’t have any problems during or after the procedure.
If your dentist cannot communicate well, not only will the procedure be ineffective, but you also would be exposed to other risks relating to your teeth and gums.
Empathy:
Your dentist should have empathy for you and give you a patient hearing. They should care about you and ensure that the procedure is painless. When you find that your dentist is empathetic, you will feel inclined to return to the dentist in the future.
Patient Reviews:
You can go online and check the reviews of other patients for dentists in your area. This is a great starting point for finding the right dentist. Patient reviews are honest, and if you find positive reviews for some dentists, shortlist them before making your final decision.
Ask for References:
Apart from online reviews by patients, you could also consult your family, friends, neighbors, your primary care physician, or your co-workers. These people will usually refer you to someone with who they are satisfied.
Location:
For your convenience, try to ensure that your dentist is in the same area where you live. You will be able to make appointments without any hassles and can either visit the dentist during your lunch break, before going to the office or after you reach home.
You should also check the office hours of your dentist and schedule an appointment according to your preferred time. Your dentist should be flexible and accommodate your timings when possible.
Browse Through The Website:
A great way to find a good dentist would be visiting their website. You will get complete information about their educational background, clinic policies, treatment philosophy, and other relevant things.
You need to check whether the dentist helps make your treatment painless to the extent possible through medications or not. What is the policy of the dentist when it comes to missed appointments? Is the clinic offering you flexible payment options?
Most importantly, is this dentist covered by your dental plan if you want your insurance provider to pay for the treatment? Compare the dental fees charged by the dentist to the ones that you have shortlisted in your area.
If the website does not answer all your questions, then call the office to find out more details. By ensuring you have complete clarity about your dentist, you stand to gain on a long-term basis when it comes to time and money.
Self Inspection:
It never hurts to inspect the clinic to verify the accuracy of the different reviews, references, or claims made on the website. So make a checklist and visit all the clinics to see if they meet your criteria or not.
You should ensure that you face no problems while accessing the clinic. Step into the office to see whether it is organized and clean or not. Check if the dentist and their team are helpful and friendly.
Do you get a warm and welcome feeling when you enter the clinic? If you are satisfied on all these counts, meet the dentist. Write down the plus and minus points for all the clinics and then make a decision.
Verify the Quality of the Dentist:
There are some points you should verify when you visit the dentist. Schedule a dental checkup and cleaning appointment at any of the shortlisted clinics.
If you find that the dentist gives you a never-ending list of treatments like oral surgery, replacements, or new fillings, then you should be on your guard. You should ask a treatment plan in writing.
Go for a second opinion if you have any doubts regarding the recommendations. If you find that you have been recommended unnecessary procedures or medications, find another option.
Choose the Right Dentist For Great Teeth
Since your teeth are essential and just for cosmetic reasons but for your overall health too, you need to find a good dentist to take care of them.
Your dentist should not only be qualified professionally but should have some essential skills like the ability to communicate effectively, show empathy towards you, have great hands and a lot of patience throughout the procedure, and should have an equally friendly environment in their clinics.
They should handle your questions no matter how simple they might be and give you the confidence that you are in the right hands. When you have such a dentist and follow all instructions, you get glowing white teeth.
Choose smartly, and keep smiling for life!
