When it’s time to seek out dental care, you want to be sure you are entrusting your needs to a practitioner who is capable and qualified. You also want the peace of mind that comes with knowing the dentist is trustworthy. But how do you attain that? A great way to find a dentist is by completing an interview, which would likely take place over the phone when you call the dentist’s office. Write down the answers to their questions so you can refer back to the information later.
Educational Credentials
One key question relates to the dentist’s professional training. Ask where they received undergraduate college training and what dental school they attended. Also ask what degrees (such as DDS or DMD) and certifications they earned and when.
Specific Professional Memberships
Dentists should keep up with current knowledge and research, and one way of doing that is by maintaining memberships in professional organizations, associations and societies. Ask which groups like this the dentist you are considering has joined.
Relevant Expertise
You want to know that the dentist you choose has the necessary expertise to successfully treat your dental issues. So ask questions about this. For example, if you need a crown or tooth-colored filling, ask the dentist if they have experience in those types of procedures. Ask them to explain a little about their expertise in those areas. Also find out what experience they have treating particular types of patients. For example, if you are considering taking your child to the dentist, ask about the practitioner’s experience in pediatric dentistry.
References and Testimonials
One of the best ways to find out what patients think of the dentist is by reading and watching testimonials from patients who have worked with that practitioner. So ask for testimonials. You can get a better feel for the dentist’s technical expertise as well as their demeanor and personality. You want to be sure the dentist is someone with whom you can feel comfortable.
Longevity in Practice
It’s important to ask how long a dentist you are considering has been in practice. The longer they have been in practice, the more experience they have accumulated. At the same time, a dentist who has been in practice for a long time but has not kept up with the latest information may be practicing dentistry that does not make use of the latest research and prevailing thought process.
Office Atmosphere
You could go to the best dentist around, but if their office atmosphere is not appealing, that could make your experience at the office much less pleasant. Ask where their office is located, how many staff members there are and typical wait times. Here are a few top things we look for in a comfortable dental office.
Financial Aspects
Before going to a dentist, you want to know how payments work whether they are considered a cheap dentist or a more expensive one. So for example, ask what insurance plans they accept. Also ask if any financial assistance is available, such as for patients who accumulate large dental bills but cannot pay the full amount due all at once. Also inquire about discount dental plans or any other dental plans they might have available.
Asking these questions can help you decide which dentist is qualified to treat you. Ask questions to each dentist you are considering. After you have asked the questions and received the answers from the dentist, evaluate the information you have gathered. Determine which dentist best meets your criteria.
Although you don’t want to overwhelm busy dental practices with an excess of questions, you also want to be an informed patient who carefully selects a qualified practitioner to treat your dental issues. When you want to find a dentist, make sure you ask the appropriate questions. Then you will be starting off your relationship with a new dentist in a way that will make you smile.
