At first glance, you’d think choosing a dentist would only mean searching for the closest one. However, the one that’s close by may not have the ability to provide the level or variety of care that you and your family deserves. The more time you invest in learning about your new dentist and about their practice, the more equipped you’ll be to make the right decision the first time.
When choosing your dentist, you’ll need to focus on your family’s needs, the dentist’s qualifications, and the values they portray on a regular basis. Keep reading to learn more about the process!
Consider Your Family’s Needs
When choosing a dentist, first and foremost should be your family’s needs. While most dentists offer basic services like regular cleanings and dental exams, they may not have the expertise to catch other issues your family might be having. For example, if you have a family member who is grinding their teeth at night, then your dentist can create a custom nightguard to prevent future tooth enamel wear from occurring.
Furthermore, family members at the other end of the spectrum could need dental implants to replace their frustrating dentures. Does the dentist you’re pursuing have the knowledge and accessibility to help you in that situation? The more your dentist offers in a single practice, the easier and more quickly your family can receive the treatments they need.
Examine Your Dentist’s Qualifications
A great way to get to know more about your future dentist’s background is to view their bio on their website. Here, the dentist does their best to provide all their previous experience, education, and other accolades. The education will usually include their undergraduate and doctoral qualifications as well as how they try to stay on top of evolving techniques and technology within dentistry.
Often, the dentist will mention awards given to them by the very community that they’re serving. This proves that not only are they providing care, but truly a superior level of care that is not common for other surrounding dental practices. Double check the organizations they remain active in, such as the ADA or the dental society in that city.
Get to Know Their Values
It’s common for dentists to have a specialization or at least a passion in a particular field of dentistry. This can be anything from dental implants, to cosmetic dentistry, to children’s dentistry. This indicates how the dentist sees their patient base and can help you determine a more detailed vision of their values.
To get a better understanding of how your dentist treats patients and learn about the rest of the team they’ve employed, make a visit to their practice. You can also look for patient profiles on their website to learn how the practice helped previous patients with their dental woes.
When choosing a dentist, staying informed couldn’t be more important! Schedule an initial consultation with your future dentist today to learn more!
About the Author
Dr. Drew Vanderbrook attended Baylor College of Dentistry to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Sine his doctoral studies, he’s pursued many hours of continuing education at the Spear Center for Dental Excellence, where he is working to complete his Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry. To learn more about his preventive treatments for families or about his practice, contact him at (214) 821-5200 or visit his website.