Dental Tips: How to Choose a Dentist

Finding a dental provider that’s best suited to meet your needs requires an introduction to various fields of dentistry. The more you understand all the different aspects, the more successful you will be in your search for the right dentist or dentists in your local area.

The best place, usually, to start your search would be with a general dentist; as they are licensed to diagnose dental issues and oral conditions, develop treatment plans and provide certain treatments. General dentists may end up referring you to a more specialized dental practitioner when necessary.

In your visit to a general dentists, or specialist you may have treatment provided by a dental hygienist or dental assistant. Dental assistants may assist during procedure, set up anesthesia, expose/develop radiographs or perform other general tasks. In accordance with U.S. law, dental hygienists/dental assistants must work under supervision of a dentist.

Here are some factors to consider when selecting a dentist:

• Convenience - Is the dentist’s office conveniently located near your home or office? Do the office hours accommodate your schedule?


• Emergencies - Is there a plan in place for emergency dental care outside of normal office hours?


• Credentials - There is no substitute for experience and the proper credentials when it comes to working with any health professional and dentists are no exception. Some things to consider: how long the dentist has been in practice and how long the practice has been in operation, what is his/her specialty, where/when did they receive their training.


• Attitude - Is the office friendly and welcoming? Does the dentist explain procedures and treatments in a way that you can understand?


• Professionalism - A dentist who is a member of the American Dental Association has graduated from an accredited dental school in the United States and committed to uphold high standards of ethics.


• Specialties - Ask about the extent in performing the specific procedure(s) you may require. For example, not all dentists are trained in specific cosmetic dentistry procedures; so you will need to investigate which dentists have the training and experience to perform the procedure that best meets your needs.


• Payment - Can you get information of payment plans and costs before procedures are scheduled? It helps in selection when you can determine dental costs prior to treatment so you can compare prices with other dentists. Dental costs should include procedure fees, anesthesia fees, and facility fees.

References:

• Oral-B; http://www.oralb.com/topics/choosing-the-right-dentist.aspx (accessed 10/18/2012).
• Consumer Guide to Dentistry; http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/dentists/ (accessed 10/18/2012).