Your dentist is the key to keeping your pearly whites shiny, so that you have a reason to smile often. Their expertise, courtesy, and customer service all play a role in their ability to treat you. If your current dentist doesn’t make you want to leap at the chance to go in for your next appointment, then it’s time to find a new one. You deserve a dentist who makes you want to keep your teeth as perfect as possible. Let’s see what the top traits are to ensure you always find the right dentist for your needs.
Good Reputation
This is one of those traits that many tend to overlook in the abundance of other information that is readily available online. The good old fashion word-of-mouth recommendations from your friends and family members are extremely vital. Unfortunately, if you don’t know anyone in your town you will likely have to resort to online reviews.
When you search online be sure to use credible sites. Websites like Angie’s List, or HealthGrades will provide you with verified user reviews, so you know they aren’t faked. Be sure to read the good and the bad, if there are any, to see what others are saying about their experience with a particular dentist. You should be looking for common scenarios or traits that keep coming up in most of the reviews to get a good idea of the dentist’s reputation.
Ensure They Are Board-Certified
Ensuring that your dentist is board-certified is a must. You want to make sure they possess the necessary knowledge in their field. You can check with your State’s Board of Dentistry to see the history of your dentist and any claims that were made against them. This is possible by simply typing their name, such as Dr Nancy, into the search box on the respective website.
You can typically find this information easily accessible through each State’s online website. These websites will allow you access to the most up-to-date information regarding licensing. It will share if a person’s license has been revoked or suspended so you know.
Make Sure They Provide The Services You Need
Various dentists offer an array of different services at their office. Apart from regular cleanings, you may want to see if the dentist offers teeth whitening, root canals, and other types of dental work that you find yourself in need of. Having a dentist that performs a wide array of procedures can help limit the hassle of having to go to another specialty dentist later down the road.
Your personal preferences should come into play as well. If you would rather deal with sedation dentistry, you need to ensure a potential dentist offers that option. Some individuals prefer larger dental practices where they are in and out of the door. Others prefer small practices where they receive a high-level of customer service and a personal touch.
When you decide that it’s time to look for a new dentist, you shouldn’t settle for the first one you find. Be sure to go through this list of traits for ensuring you are finding a dentist that meets your needs. It only takes a little bit of effort in the discovery process to ensure you have a dentist that will last for many years to come.