It is prevalent for adults and children to feel stressed or overwhelmed when visiting a dental professional. Whether any member of your family has had negative past experiences or merely has a fear of the unknown, you want to put their minds and oral health in the hands of a carefully selected family dentist.
Selecting the right family dentist is essential, and a task that you should not take lightly. A good dental professional will be the one to guide you and your family through appropriate oral hygiene and health practices, which are fundamental to optimum general health. The following are tips for selecting the right dentist for your family.
Obtaining Recommendations from Friends and Family
We almost always seek our friends’ and family’s opinions regarding things such as movies and restaurants. Therefore, inquiring from your trusted clique for dentist suggestions is not different. In fact, it is more crucial. They will give you an honest opinion regarding which dentist they consider their best, and their independent experiences with particular dental professionals and practices. It is more likely that your family and friends will also be capable of gauging whether their dental professional would be ideal for your family.
Reading Online Reviews
Apart from the feedback you obtain from friends and family, check reviews about different dental professionals on online platforms like Facebook, Google, and even Yelp. With plenty of options for local dentists, these online reviews are only another way of making informed decisions regarding what dental professional or practice is ideal for you and your family. You want to read the reviews on multiple social media platforms and sites to obtain patient feedback.
Checking Professional Association Websites
Use the resources from professional organizations such as the American Dental Association to locate certified family dentists who comply with high standards of care. You can use the ADA’s Find-A-Dentist tool to search for a dentist by name, location, and specialty. You can also check with your local dental society. It can hand you a list of dentists’ names in your area.
Alternatively, your nearby dental schools or local health department can assist you in finding a good family dentist. Once you have found a few ideal candidates, visit their respective websites and find out whether their clinics are on social networks to learn more about them.
Researching the Dental Professional’s Experience and Credentials
Your family’s oral health and general well-being are essential, and you should put them in the care of someone with the appropriate dental skills, experience, and training. Here are crucial factors you want to consider:
- Board certification. This is among the most essential credentials for any good family dentist.
- Licensure. Once they earn their degree in dentistry, dentists must pass licensing exams to practice dentistry.
- Dental school, training, and other certifications
- Special approaches (that is, the dentist’s experience with particular conditions or how they handle anxious patients)
- History of disciplinary actions or malpractice claims. Check state websites to know more.
And how do you know the dental professional is experienced? There are no universally agreed-upon years that qualify a dental professional as experienced. A new dental professional will gain extensive experience in their initial few years of practice, since they handle different situations and cases. After several years of general dental practice, many dental professionals might feel more proficient and confident in their skills.
However, it is essential to recall that experience is not only about the years a dental professional has practiced. It also involves the complexity and variety of cases they have handled, their continued education, and their ability to adapt to new techniques and technologies in dentistry.
Therefore, while a dental professional with more than ten years of experience may be deemed experienced, one with fewer years but a broad range of continued education, specialization, and experiences may also be highly skilled and competent. You want to discuss a dental professional’s experience with them if you have specific needs or concerns.
Visit the Dentist’s Clinic and Meet Their Staff
After you have narrowed your options and your schedule allows, take a quick trip to the dentist’s clinic and perform a quick meet and greet before you bring your family members there for the first time. Note the dentist’s personality, demeanor, communication skills, and the atmosphere and culture of the clinic.
Also, check whether the environment is kid-friendly and ask whether your children will be comfortable in the dentist’s care. Most kids fear going to the dentist. Therefore, look for kid-friendly features like playrooms to relieve the tension. The quick visit will set the mood for all your relationships going forward.
Ask the Right Questions
Whenever you meet a potential family dentist, do not be afraid or shy to ask questions that disclose how they perform patient care. Determine whether the dentist’s philosophy favors reactive treatment or preventive care. Ask how their clinic handles emergencies, including weekend or after-hours situations.
Lastly, be keen on how the dentist and their staff communicate. Do they take the time to answer questions, do clear follow-ups, and explain processes? The responses to these questions can assist you in determining if the dentist or dental clinic will suit your needs.
Look Out for Red Flags
Even though many family dentists provide top-notch care, it is essential always to be alert for any warning signs. Be careful if you do not notice any credentials displayed in the office, or if visits feel impersonal and rushed. Unclear explanations, high-pressure techniques around treatments (particularly cosmetic ones), or ambiguous pricing should raise concerns.
Also, note whether the dentist clearly follows sterilization protocols. Not paying attention to safety and cleanliness is a huge red flag. Lastly, when presented with a costly or major treatment plan, do not hesitate to seek a second opinion to ensure the recommendation is genuinely in your best interests.
Other Factors to Consider
You want to consider various factors when searching for a good family dentist. Some of these factors include the following:
Whether the Dentist Possesses Patient Care Skills
An ideal dental professional should have patience, possess excellent communication skills, and have the capability to make a patient feel comfortable. Also, they should be good at paying attention to detail and manual dexterity. Also, remember that finding an ideal dental professional depends on trust and personal compatibility. Finding a dental professional who listens to your problems, explains treatment procedures clearly, and makes you feel comfortable and at ease is crucial.
Does The Dentist Perform a Wide Array of Services?
A family dentist must be capable of addressing the entire family’s dental needs, even the unexpected ones.
- General dental services. Many of the services you will need fall under general dentistry. They include services such as scaling and cleaning, checkups, fillings, x-rays, root canal procedures, and other non-emergency procedures.
- Cosmetic dental services. Cosmetic dentistry is a special area that aims to enhance the look of stained or discolored teeth. It also addresses missing, cracked, or broken teeth. Cosmetic dental treatments include, among others, dental crowns, bridges, veneers, teeth whitening, and dental implants.
- Emergency dental services. When a family dentist doubles as an emergency dentist, you can rest assured that you are in perfect hands 24/7. Dental emergencies can happen at any time and are part of our lives. From infections and toothaches to sporting injuries, the entire family might require emergency dental treatment at a given point.
Finding a state-of-the-art family dental practice that can perform a full range of dental services is crucial. Routine oral care, like cleanings and checkups, will assist in maintaining your family’s optimum overall health. However, some family members may require more comprehensive care, like dental implants or root canals. Dental braces and other orthodontic treatments might also be procedures you would prefer to have undergone at the same dental clinic.
Location Also Matters
Everyone’s life is busy, but you can make yours easier by selecting a dental professional with a conveniently located office. Setting and arriving at appointments near your office or home will save time and gas. Also, dental emergencies can occur at any time. If a family dentist is near you, you or your family member will quickly obtain the needed care.
Additionally, ensure the dental clinic is easily accessible. Consider special features like comfortable waiting rooms and elevators to enjoy all your dental appointments. However, do not compromise quality care due to distance. If you encounter an excellent family dentist in a further location, you could trade the distance for comfort.
Does the Dentist Accept Your Insurance Plan?
Dental treatment and care can be costly, but thankfully, it is easy to establish which family dentists accept your insurance plan. Visit the dental professional’s website, contact their office, or search on your insurer’s website to know what dental insurance plans they can accept.
Do They Have Flexible Scheduling?
Choose a dental professional who knows that families have busy schedules and offers flexible appointment times, including weekends and evenings, to make oral care and treatment more convenient for everybody. The dentist should also make the scheduling process convenient and quick, for example, by offering online booking.
Does The Dentist Emphasize Patient Education?
You want to select a family dentist who teaches you and your loved ones how to care for your teeth properly. From flossing and brushing to knowing what tooth-friendly foods to eat, your dental professional can assist you in growing your dental knowledge base. Examples of pieces of information a good family dentist should provide include the following:
- Proper brushing method. A good family dentist will guide you and your loved ones on the techniques of brushing more effectively to prevent cavities and eliminate plaque.
- Flossing instruction. A good family dentist will demonstrate the ideal way to floss to ensure you are correctly cleaning in between the teeth. Flossing can be tricky, and most people can use extra training now and then.
- Nutrition and diet tips. A family dentist should be able to advise on the foods that enhance the health of gums and teeth, and what you should avoid.
- Dental health for children. A family dentist should be able to know the special instructions regarding how to take care of a child’s teeth as they grow and develop.
- Tips on preventive care. A good family dentist should have information on tips for averting prevalent dental problems such as gum disease and tooth decay.
- Managing dental anxiety. A good family dentist should be able to give you techniques and tips to help you and your family feel more comfortable during dental visits.
Whether They Offer Accommodations for Special Needs
As a family, you might have a member with special requirements, like developmental challenges, sensory sensitivities, or physical disabilities. In that case, you want a dental professional who can adapt their methods to accommodate these needs and ensure all members of your family receive appropriate care. This may include specialized equipment, wheelchair accessibility, or communication techniques personalized to accommodate people with cognitive and sensory differences.
Consider The Technology Used. Is It Advanced?
Throughout the years, there have been several changes in oral health care. Dental innovations happen daily. This advanced technology has made work more accessible, since dental professionals can identify dental issues earlier and provide preventative solutions.
To get the best out of your family dentist, ensure they have invested in the latest equipment and technology. This will enhance your general experience. To affirm this, you can pay the dentist a visit to their office or ask around from past clients. Also, you can check if they have included dental equipment and other valuable resources on their website.
Find an Experienced Family Dentist Near Me
Your family’s dental health is crucial; you only want to entrust it to a trustworthy, experienced dental professional. If you are looking for the right dental partner for your family, look no further than The Lakewood Dentist.
We pride ourselves on the highest quality services and professionalism as far as family dental needs are concerned. We offer various services, from emergency dental treatments and x-rays to cosmetic dentistry and cleanings, all at affordable prices. Call us at 562-423-1441 to give your family an unforgettable dental experience.