Choosing The Right Dentist
Have you ever put much thought into what you should consider when choosing your family’s health care team? Choosing the right professionals to care for you and your family’s unique needs is more important than you may realize. Many people assume that all dentists are alike, and as long as they receive a cleaning every 6 months, they should be in tip-top shape. The reality is, there is a wide range of philosophies of practice, education, and quality of work. Just because a dentist is “in-network” with your insurance company or came recommended by your friend, does not mean he or she is the right fit for YOU.
It’s helpful to know and understand what you should expect from a dentist and where to seek information:
How long should a new patient appointment take?
A complete and accurate exam should include an assessment of your complete oral condition as well as plenty of time to discuss and present findings/treatment options. An in-depth dentist will often reserve at least an hour of time to examine, consult, and answer any questions you may have.
What should I expect during an initial exam?
A thorough dentist will do so much more than simply ask if anything is bothering you and check for obvious cavities. Your dentist should be a part of your overall healthcare team and be devoted to identifying problems as early as possible. This leads to the prevention of future problems and maintaining/improving your quality of life. After all, what are healthcare services if not a means to improve quality of life?
Your dental team should assess your gum and bone health annually by taking 6 measurements per tooth. This is done with an instrument called a “periodontal probe” that measures your gum and bone levels in millimeters.
Your dental team should assess for cavities, infection, cracks, and other conditions through a combination of pictures and x-rays. You should have a full series of x-rays taken to evaluate your complete oral condition rather than just 2 or 4 “bite-wing x-rays.” (Bite-wing x-rays only display the top surfaces of your back teeth.)
Your dental team should screen you at each appointment for oral cancer.
Your first visit and yearly exams should include a full assessment of the TMJ’s (the joints in your jaw) for clicking, popping, crackling, pain, and more. This includes a thorough examination of all surrounding muscles, understanding your health history, and other various methods to assess the health of the joint and disc inside.
Your bite should be evaluated to determine how your teeth come together and if your bite is contributing to problems like pain, headaches, excessive wear, or other problems.
Your dental team will routinely check your blood pressure and medical history to assess your overall wellness. They may also need to check your blood sugar and even a complete blood panel based on procedures being considered for treatment.
What is the quality of the work performed by my dentist?
Remember that almost all patients are unaware of the quality of work performed on/for them. Most people make their judgments and decisions on which provider to choose based on personality, recommendations, and online reviews.
Make your own assessment and do not rely solely on recommendations from friends, co-workers, and family members.
Ask specialists in the area who see work from many different dentists who they recommend would fit your needs.
Look up their dental license to see if the individual has had any previous issues and ask him/her further questions regarding any findings:
https://dhp.virginiainteractive.org/lookup/index
The above suggestions are just a few things you can ask and observe in order to make the right choice for a dentist who will serve you and your needs the best. Take the time to ask the right questions so you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that you are in the best hands for what you desire for the long-term health of your mouth and smile.
To learn and understand more about choosing the best dentist for you, visit: https://decatursmiles.com/how-to-choose-a-dentist/
This blog was inspired by the following consumer report, https://decatursmiles.com/how-to-choose-a-dentist/, which was provided by the Crown Council—an international organization of dentists committed to the continual improvement of every aspect of dental patient care.
For a Crown Council dentist near you, log on to www.crowncouncil.com