COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Choosing a Dentist

Choosing a dentist is an important decision. Thus, our goal is to assist you in making that decision. When selecting a family dentist, you may want to begin your search in several different ways:

• Ask a family physician. He or she is in constant contact with all kinds of
• healthcare professionals and will be able to point you in the right direction.
• Ask family, friends, neighbors and/or co-workers.
• Contact your local dental school and ask a faculty member.
• View the ADA directory, which is located in many public libraries.

Another way to find a dentist is through a dental referral service, but many of these services require dentists to pay for their listings. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but something you should be made aware of.

dentist with patientOnce you’ve narrowed down your search, make sure your new family dentist has completed the necessary requirements to be a dentist. For instance, dentists must be state licensed and recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). Also, their training must include three or more years of undergraduate school and an additional four years of dental training at a dental school. These are just the minimum requirements needed to obtain a dental degree. With a degree, a dentist is able to perform common procedures such as routine dental check-ups, dental x-rays, cavity fillings, teeth cleaning, halitosis treatment and general tooth extraction. However, if your dental needs go beyond routine care then there are several specialties for each specific need. Each specialty requires an additional two to four years of schooling

Different specialties include:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
• Orthodontist
• Periodontist
• Prosthodontist
• Endodontist
• Pediatric Dentist
• Public Health Dentist

All dentists in the US have gone through a formal education and have been licensed in the state in which they practice. But the similarity stops there. The best dentists have taken many continuing education courses beyond their formal dental training and beyond the few hours that are required annually by their state dental boards to maintain their license.

So, what makes a dentist the perfect dentist for you? I have my personal opinions. Here are nine tips that come to mind. They’re not in any special order, and probably there are many more:

Tips to select dentist

Word of mouth is the best advertisement. You should inquire from patients about their experiences with the dentist you are considering. Reviews online could be helpful; however, some people who have an unwarranted grudge might post complaints that are unfounded.

Ask the staff questions, not just the dentist. Learn if these employees are on the same page as you. If the staff cannot answer some of your questions, then the office may not be as up-to-date as you want it to be.

Word of mouth is the best advertisement. You should inquire from patients about their experiences with the dentist you are considering. Reviews online could be helpful; however, some people who have an unwarranted grudge might post complaints that are unfounded.

Ask the staff questions, not just the dentist. Learn if these employees are on the same page as you. If the staff cannot answer some of your questions, then the office may not be as up-to-date as you want it to be.

You should be able to ask your prospective dentist what types of continuing education courses he or she has taken in the last three years. You want to have your dentist up-to-date with the latest technologies. Some of these courses should be hands-on programs where the dentist not only is learning new information, but also is obtaining clinical experience by working on patients in a teaching environment.

Your dental office should be offering information and patient demonstrations on proper oral hygiene. This is not the same thing as being given a toothbrush and dental floss as you leave the office. The hygienist or someone else should show you in your mouth how to clean effectively under the gum tissues with a toothbrush, how to use floss correctly, how to clean between your teeth with a tiny brush, and how to remove harmful bacteria from your tongue. This instruction should also include why these techniques are important.

If you need existing amalgam restorations removed from your mouth, your dentist should be able to explain to you how he or she will remove them so that the vaporized mercury will not contaminate you or anyone else in the office. If your dentist cannot satisfactorily explain the process, then find another dentist who can.

To do a thorough examination, the physician needs to spend time with you. Is your time with the physician adequate for you to voice your concerns and for the physician to examine your mouth? In my office, I see new patients for one hour to have this discussion and to perform my examination. If new x-rays were required, that would require additional time.

When finding the right dentist, make sure you consider these five things.

Doing your research when selecting a dentist who meets your needs is as important as selecting that perfect house that fits your lifestyle.

1. Find a dentist with a good reputation

The first important consideration when looking for the perfect dentist is to check his or her reputation. There are several ways to research dentists and their practice history. One of the first things to do is to search online reviews to see what positive or negative experiences patients have had at their dentist. Websites, such as Angie’s List, offer reviews from patients on dentists.

2. Check your state dental board

Dentists are held accountable by their state dental board. Each state has a board of dentistry website that tracks the history of claims against a particular dentist. Make sure that the dentist you are about to see does not have any suspicious claims brought against them.

3. Interview your dentist

You need to interview your dentist or the dental practice, which is a simple as picking up the phone and asking the right questions. Find out where the dentist graduated, how long they have been practicing and what type of dentistry they do, how many staff members work there and how long have they been with that dentist.

4. Ask friends and family about their dentist

Ask your friends and neighbors where they go for dental work. There is no better way to find a great dentist than to find out who your friends and neighbors trust. Most people will not recommend bad service to you or advise you to see a dentist they are not pleased with.

5. Make sure your dentist meets your needs

Everyone has a certain criteria when they look for the right dental office. Some patients want a larger practice that sees a high volume of patients. Their time is valuable and they want to get in and get out. Others may seek a family-oriented practice that treats each patient as a part of their family. They want a dentist who will spend the time explaining things to them and not rush the appointment. Make the decision that is right for you.

It is not an easy decision to choose a dentist that is right for you and your family. So take the time to research and make the right choice.