Without a doubt, a dentist falls into that group of people that you need to have in your life, and you need to trust fully and completely. Your dentist might not only be treating you, but your entire family, and even seemingly minor processes like check-ups and cleaning are of grave importance. Your teeth need to be impeccably taken care of, and a good dentist can save you large amounts of money, time, and pain by performing every procedure properly.
This is your mouth, these are your teeth – you only get one set. You want clean, healthy teeth, you want comfort and freedom from pain, and you want it done without wiping out your savings. The ability to trust your dentist is vital. No one wants that dreaded fear that arises in so many of us on our way to the dentist. If you have a good, reputable dentist, you should walk into that office without worry. And you can find that comforting dentist by knowing a few things first:
- What kind of person is your dentist? This may sound trivial, but it’s quite the opposite. You want a dentist who is caring, attentive, and patient. This type of dentist will never rush a procedure, will always make sure you’re comfortable and not in pain, and will really take the time to listen to your problem, instead of jumping to fix something that may not even be the cause. It’s important to try and speak with your potential dentist for a bit, schedule a consultation. You want a dentist you can establish a lasting relationship with, so taking the time to feel out what type of person he is a worthwhile time investment.
- What is the comfort level of your dentist? Believe it or not – and you believe if you’ve ever had such an experience, unfortunately – not all dentists value comfort among their priorities when treating you. Some dentist are harsh, abrupt, rough, or don’t take the time to evaluate how much Novocain or other numbing solution you may need – everyone requires somewhat differing levels. Try to research your dentist and find reviews of his service. If those are not available, make sure you ask about the different comfort optionW available at your initial meeting. Ask about conscious sedation, as explained by 1-800 Dentist. Remember there are different processes to think about, based on how serious your treatment is. Is oral sedation, IV sedation, or inhalation sedation right for you? Find out what your potential dentist offers and how he feels about each one.
- What are the costs of your dentist? Without some sort of dental insurance or coverage, many dental procedures can be expensive. So expensive, in fact, that many people put off having them done — at the risk of their health. Do not think you cannot have a necessary treatment done because of cost. This is why a consultation with a potential dentist is vital. Find a dentist who is on your insurance, and if you don’t have insurance, find someone who is affordable or offers free care. Ask about the cost of all treatments, because you may need them in the future. Furthermore, inquire about payment plans. Many dentist offer the option to pay a small amount every month until your procedure is paid off, and your payments can be as little as $25, making dental health available for anyone.
- What procedures and technologies does your dentist offer? Different dentists offer different procedures. A dentist can be a sort of diagnostician and then refer you to a specialist, or a dentist can perform various treatments and minor surgeries. Life would be a lot easier if your dentist could handle most of your treatments himself, wouldn’t it? Find out everything your dentist can do, and what he would refer you to a specialist for. What is your dentist capable of beyond check-ups, cleanings, and cavity fills? Can he or she perform root canals? Pulling teeth? (And do all of this comfortably?) Furthermore, how technologically advanced is this dentist? You want someone who is current and updated, and has basically the best procedure technology to offer, so you know you’re getting an effective, lasting, and comfortable treatment. Now, if a dentist has cutting edge, top-of-the-line technology, chances are he is going to be more expensive. So it’s OK to choose the next-most advanced dentist. You don’t need George Jetson to fill your cavities. Just make sure your dentist uses modern sedation methods and modern tools, and perhaps newer procedure methods like laser treatment and air abrasion (Removal of tooth decay without a frill, as explained by 1-800 Dentist here.)
- Who is your dentist’s staff? As you probably know, dentists have staffs of assistants and technicians who will also be involved in treating you. Your dentist may not even be the person performing your cleaning or other simple, routine processes, especially if your dentist does perform more serious treatments in the office. You may go for a routine cleaning and never even see your dentist, but instead an assistant. There is usually a different technician for X-rays. Basically, it’s just as important that you become familiar with your dentist’s staff as with him or her. Make sure the staff possesses qualities similar to your dentist, such as patience, detail to attention, and a gentle, caring demeanor. Since so many treatments and tasks are delegated to different staff members, it really takes the entire office combined to equal your “dentist.”
If you meet with your dentist – and his staff – before your first treatment and make sure this is someone you can trust (and afford), then you should have no reason to feel those pre-dentist appointment jitters! Remember in this case especially, there are no stupid questions. You are trusting someone with your teeth, and perhaps your family’s teeth, as well. So ask whatever you feel you need to know.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
