Dear Patient: How to Choose a Dentist (and how to avoid it)
So, it's time to locate a dentist. Maybe you're new to the area or are needing to change your routine. There are some dos and don'ts to finding a new dentist who will be the perfect fit for you. It's tempting to visit the nearest office or just take a recommendation from a friend however, I would advise you to spend your time in finding the ideal dental facility for you.
How do you select the right dentist
Check out their credentials
Clearly, they went to dental school but what else? It takes an enormous amount of work to stay up-to-date with the latest methods and technologies in health healthcare. What additional courses have they completed? What kind of ongoing education is the staff doing every year? Do all staff members continue their education? Every member of your dental office must be Dentist in Tucson providing the best dental treatment. They also treat you with respect.
Ask about the technology in the office by looking around.
Although nobody should own the most recent gadgets or gadgets even, it's vital to stay up-to-date. Are they computerized in the office or are they still using traditional charts on paper? Do you get a waft of mothballs and stale cigarettes smoke when you walk in? Is the office neat and tidy? Do they have the latest technology to monitor what's going on in your mouth? Many offices have digital x-rays as well as intraoral cameras. Are they willing to to examine your mouth?
Find out what's going to happen at your appointment for a new patient
If you contact us, you can inquire what to expect at your new-patient appointment and how long it should take. You may think that you "just like to have your teeth cleaned" however, your dental health is way more complex than the six-month check-up you might be familiar with. The appointment for new patients should be between 1 and 2 hours, and may not even include your cleaning! You should have the opportunity to talk to the dentist and staff to understand or establish your health goals. An office that sets aside the time to do this will truly provide complete care.
Ask a local expert
If in doubt, consult experts. Periodontists and endodontists are able to treat patients from any area of the local community. They know how the offices communicate with their patients and with their colleagues. If you call three or four, hopefully you'll be able to hear the name more than one time.
How do you select the right dentist
Selecting a health care provider based on these tips can take time. Who the heck has spare time? Consider how much time you could spend with a bad provider. You may end up spending more time looking for solutions rather than solving the issue at hand.
I have seen people pick their dentist over the years. These strategies may appear less complicated but they're not as efficient in obtaining the dental care you need.
You can find the list in your insurance company
Although this may seem like the way to get the most benefit from your insurance benefit and save money or two, selecting your dentist from a list of dentists isn't always the most efficient choice. Unfortunately, the insurance company doesn't always look out for your best interests. In reality, your insurance company does not always take the time to make sure you get the best quality work. So don't think of the names on this list as a "recommendation"--it's simply a list of offices that have agreed to the terms and pricing set by the insurance company.
By the price tag
Like many things in life, less expensive dental treatment isn't always more expensive over the long term. A good dentist will help you save money, time and physical pain. In my 25-year professional career I've seen beautiful and ugly dentistry come with a variety of costs. Often the least expensive dentistry isn't necessarily the most thorough; for instance, you could have a large tooth cavity, and while you could place the largest filling at a lower cost, down the road it could break, need an extraction, or even need to be pulled and an implant put in. For the cost of a well-fitting crown you could save thousands of dollars.
Someone will tell you that their dentist is "nice".
Although rapport is certainly important in any relationship, especially with your health-care providers, "nice" doesn't always correspond to the quality of care that you receive. I've had the pleasure of working with lots of nice dentists who I would not have allowed to practice dentistry in my mouth. Ask to see some of their work; look at before and after pictures and x-rays of recent crowns they've made. What does their dental appearance look like to you? Do you think it's natural? If you take an x-ray there shouldn't be shadows or ledges around crowns. Request them to describe what you are looking at and why it is so amazing.
The office is right in front of you.
While convenience is wonderful in the modern world, the location of a business doesn't guarantee a perfect fit. This is something I'm constantly reminded of during my way to work. I travel by a lot of dental offices and I consider, maybe I should work there. It's well worth the effort to see the way my dental office can help patients.
A dentist who will take the time to talk to you, determine goals and determine your future needs will ensure you'll have an entire lifetime of healthy teeth. Good oral health will, in turn, enhance your overall wellbeing and prolong your life. So, choose wisely. Your life could be on the line with it.
Wellness Dental
2165 W Orange Grove Rd
Tucson, AZ 85741
(520) 214-8803