The Importance of Choosing the Right Dentist - 89103
Seeing the dentist is just as essential to maintaining good oral health as at-home care, including daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash. However, it can be difficult for the average person to choose a suitable dentist.
Just think about how much time you spend trying to find the right dental care products, reading about the different features offered by toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash brands to determine which are going to provide the most benefit. Selecting a dentist to meet your needs can be even more confusing.
It's so important to choose the right dentist - you don't want to make the wrong decision. How can you pick the perfect dentist 89103? It starts by setting up consultations and asking questions. Here are a few topics you should address before you make your choice.
Dentist 89103 Availability
The first thing to determine is if a dentist has availability and if he/she is willing to be available to you. The way to find out is to call for a consultation. The dentist's office staff should be able to tell you if the dentist is taking new clients.
You might also want to ask for a call-back from the dentist. A busy dentist might not have time to speak with you when you call as there are other patients in the office for appointments. However, you should be able to secure a call-back within a reasonable amount of time.
This is a good test to gauge the relative availability of any dentist 89103 because you can see how long it takes to get in for an appointment (for your consultation), as well as how quickly you get a call-back. Both can give you clues about how an office operates.
Education/Experience
You want a local dentist 89103 that is qualified to treat your every oral health concern, so it's important to have a conversation about the education and experience of your dentist. Do not be afraid to ask about this - it's your right to ascertain whether or not a dental professional has adequate credentials, and it's your duty to protect your own health and welfare.
In order to become licensed to practice, dentists must meet strict guidelines for education, so likely you will hear a lot of the same answers. However, dedicated dental professionals undergo continuing education with classes, seminars, webinars, conferences, and more so that they can remain up-to-date with the latest technologies, techniques, and practices in the dental health industry. This is what you want.
Experience will obviously vary by practitioner, so you may want to ask not only about years of practice, but also the type of experience a given dentist has, including standard care like cleanings and exams, as well as familiarity with treating oral diseases or practicing cosmetic dentistry. A good dental professional will have experience in several areas, but be willing to refer you to specialists with more experience when necessary.
Treatment Offered
When you visit a dentist 89103 for consultation, you should certainly make sure to ask about the services offered. Most people start out seeking the basics - regular cleanings, check-ups, x-rays, and oral cancer screenings.
Even if you have a long history of good oral health, however, you want to know that the dentist you choose is capable of providing other services if you should need them. Such services could include treatment for issues like cavities, cracked/chipped teeth, or missing teeth, as well as ailments like gingivitis, periodontitis, or even oral cancer (although in some cases you will be referred to more qualified specialists for treatment).
You might also be interested to know if your dentist offers cosmetic dentistry options like tooth whitening or straightening, bonding, veneers, and so on. At some point you may be looking to improve your smile, rather than just maintain it, and knowing that your trusted dentist can get the job done is a major plus.
Safety Practices
Cleanliness and safety are of the utmost importance when it comes to any kind of healthcare, and this includes dentistry. During your consultation, you should ask a dentist to walk you through the safety features employed in the practice.
Do dentists and hygienists wear gloves and masks at all times when working with a patient? Are equipment and tools fully sanitized and sterilized after every use? Are all OSHA guidelines for infection control strictly adhered to?
You need to be an advocate for your own health and safety, and while the vast majority of practices take safety and cleanliness extremely seriously, you need to make sure for yourself. Do not hesitate to ask so that you can address these concerns.
Pricing
There are a couple of things you need to know when it comes to pricing. First, you should ask if your dentist has a basic price list available for common services. Naturally, costs may vary to some degree based on the difficulty of a particular case.
For example, some cavities are more serious than others and may require more drilling or additional filling material. However, your dentist should at least be able to provide you with a basic price guide.
You also need to know if the dentist accepts your insurance, whether or not he/she is in your network, and how billing works. This may depend both on the dental office and your insurance carrier. Still, you need to know if you will be expected to pay up front and seek reimbursement or if your insurance provider will be billed first.
Comfort Level
When you ask the right questions, you should be able to find a suitable dentist 89103 to meet your needs for oral health care. However, there is one last point to be addressed.
Do you feel comfortable with the dentist? Are you comfortable asking about treatment and pricing? Do you feel like you could question a treatment plan without risking scorn or condescension? Do you feel confident that your dentist will be available when needed?
Choosing a dentist is about more than education, experience, and finding an office that accepts your insurance. You need to trust the person caring for your oral health, and the best way to find the right fit is with a face-to-face consultation.
