In a profession where every dentist has the same technical knowledge, what’s the one thing that separates the good dentistry from the bad? It’s not just about how long they’ve been in business.
The answer is that your choice of dentist should depend upon who you are as a person and what kind of relationship you want with your dentist.
Dentists vary greatly in the way they deal with their patients. Some dentists are more outgoing, friendly and patient-oriented, while others seem more aloof and clinical. While you need to meet your dentist face to face, it’s better if you do so before you are seduced by their highly polished advertising campaign. Ideally, a good dentist will take the time to talk with you at first meeting so that he can get to know you as a person.
If your dentist is shy or doesn’t seem willing to meet with you on a regular basis and plan for an ongoing relationship, don’t be surprised if problems arise later on. If your dentist is too busy to deal with you personally and explain procedures and treatments, you may have to wait for appointments until the dentist is free. Because most people have busy schedules, waiting for your appointment is not an ideal arrangement.
At the same time, if your dentist seems annoyed with patients or if he tries to rush you out of the clinic just so he can get on with his next patient, this is another sign that you are dealing with a dentist who doesn’t value his patients.
Your relationship with your dentist should be built on mutual trust and respect; without it, it will be difficult to establish a good treatment plan because trust and respect are essential ingredients in completing the treatment process successfully. A good dentist will listen to your concerns and discuss potential solutions with you. You should not feel uncomfortable or embarrassed in asking your dentist questions or expressing your views.
An ideal dentist will also keep you aware of what treatments he is providing and why they are necessary. He should be honest about the procedures and give you a full explanation of the costs involved, as well as an indication of how long he anticipates that each treatment will involve. If there are specific things that you want covered during the treatment process, make sure that your dentist isn’t overlooking them. Some dentists may conduct unnecessary procedures just to make more money out of it, so it’s best if you have a set discussion before everything goes under way.
Top Tips to choose the Right Dentist
Some of the most important factors in choosing a dentist are experience, location and cost. If you are looking for one that best suits your needs, it is good to consider these three things.
Experience
Dentists with years of experience have much higher success rates since they can use their knowledge to prevent or fix problems before they develop. They also have better techniques and equipment that are the result of trial and error with previous patients’ teeth over time. Experienced dentists will be able to provide you with all the advice that you need on dental care as this is their specialty – not just what type of service or treatment they offer.
Location
The location of the dentist’s office is also a very important point to consider. This is especially true if you are not a regular patient at the dentist and need special kinds of care that the normal dentists do not provide. A dentist near your home would be most convenient so you can visit him or her when there is an emergency. You can also ask friends or neighbors for recommendations, as they can help you locate a suitable clinic in your area.
Cost
Dentistry isn’t cheap and neither is insurance coverage, so make sure that you choose a dentist with reasonable rates. The price is often determined by how much time and materials a certain procedure will take; however, many other factors are also involved.