3 Ways to Determine If a Dentist is Right for You

I'd like to expand a bit on the topic of How To Evaluate a Dentist.

You should not rush to become the patient of a dentist or dental services chain, just based on a TV commercial or an ad you saw. Your friends, family, and  co-workers can give you advice, but even then, it can be helpful to do some of your own research.

After all, you have to live with your teeth for the rest of your life, unless you get implants, partials, or full dentures.

Your teeth determine your smile, digestion, jaw alignment, and other things related to your overall health.

Here are some things you can do to decide if a dentist is right for you and your family.

(1) INSPECTION

Ask the dentist if you can take a look around his office.

You could then see how clean the office looks, especially the treatment rooms. 

You could not watch another patient have treatment without the permission of that patient. It might be a little awkward, unless that patient has been asked in advance. 

I have asked some patients to show their crowns or veneers to other patients who wanted to see how they look. I don't think that I have had a patient request to see a live patient's dentistry. 

Sometimes, I show a patient some photos of dental treatment similar to that patient's needs. Before and after photos can help a patient see the fantastic results that are possible.

I also have shown many of my patients an implant crown in my own mouth. 

They can get a look at it and see how natural it looks. I tell them that I fractured the original tooth biting a peanut. I think it helps them realize that even their dentist has unfortunate things happen to his/her teeth and that there is usually a remedy for that problem. 

(2) ASK QUESTIONS RELEVANT TO YOUR NEEDS

You can ask the dentist if a parent is permitted to come back with a child during treatment. Your presence can be comforting and reassuring for a child, especially during their first few visits, or during a complex procedure.

You can ask if the floor plan can accommodate a patient in a wheel chair. I think many offices would permit someone to look around, except during actual treatments of patients.

Another concern is for a patient to ask if there is another dentist covering any emergencies during off days, vacation days, weekends, etc. 

I know of a clinic here in Peoria that extracted teeth on children and did not provide a phone number for any complications, or questions after regular hours. Some of these children had to been seen by dental residents at OSF Hospital and had treatment provided there at taxpayer expense. An after-hours phone number should be available for patients of record for that practice.

Although some dentists perform oral surgery, periodontal therapy, orthodontic therapy (braces), implants, and root canal therapy, most general dentists should have a good relationship to refer patients to knowledgeable specialists for treatment that is more demanding than most general dentists are comfortable treating. Most specialists have a minimum of two years of additional training and most are board certified, which is a high standard. Some even have a diplomat status, which involves special oral and written examination by their peers . 

 A good dentist usually knows what treatment that they can treat in their office and what needs to be referred to a specialist. However, no dentist can guarantee successful results every time. Remember, that the original teeth were made by God and thus, a capable dentist should attempt to do his or her best for each patient.

(3) ASK ABOUT COSTS, WRITTEN ESTIMATES, AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

Finally, a patient should ask about how fees are charged. 

A patient can ask questions about fees for typical services, like an exam, prophylaxis (cleaning), x-rays, etc. Most patients desire to be informed in advance of treatment. 

Most dentists can give a patient a pre-estimate of the treatment and give alternative options, including no treatment. It is important for the patient to talk to the dentist and for the dentist to listen to the patient. The patient has to feel comfortable to ask questions and be comfortable in the office. This builds trust and makes the patient feel important. 

A truly patient-centered focus is essential. Putting quotas and financial goals ahead of the patient is a bad practice and you should be able to sense when this is happening.

In summary, the patient's confidence in a dentist is of extreme importance. It's all about the patient and solving their dental and oral health issues in an affordable and totally professional, high quality manner.