How to Select a Good Dentist

Questions and Observations That Will Help You Choose a Dentist
Many situations can occur that may require finding a new dentist, such as moving, having a dentist retire, or needing special services your present dentist can’t provide. Although we all know that proper dental care is vital to good health, most of us don’t know how to choose a good dentist. It can be difficult to know what questions to ask and what things to observe in the process of choosing a good dentist. You will want to know both how the dentist treats you as a person and how he treats your mouth. Following are some key questions to ask and observations to make in the process of making your choice.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR PROSPECTIVE DENTIST

1. Will the dentist listen to me, and answer my questions? Rather than just telling you what to do, the dentist should explain the results of the exam and work with you to develop a total treatment plan based on the big picture of your oral health and wellness. The dentist should make recommendations based on your needs not just on insurance availability. Remember, you want a dentist who can offer enough information in language you can understand so you can help to make an informed decision.
2. Does the dentist keep up with the latest techniques in dentistry? Dentists that are dedicated keep up with the latest developments in their field. They will likely appreciate the opportunity to tell you about the courses or conferences they have attended.
3. Do you comply with OSHA and American Dental Association guidelines for infection control? This includes such things as wearing gloves and a mask and sterilizing handpieces.
4. Do you maintain a thorough record of my dental problems? The dentist should maintain a record that tells all of the work that has already been completed on your teeth and what work still needs to be done. You should be allowed to see your probing chart, your x-rays and the record of your dental problems.
5. What dental services do you offer that may meet special needs in the future? What areas does the dentist excel in? Most dentists are general practitioners, but some dentists have more areas of expertise. For instance, only 10% of dentists have a thorough understanding of bite-related problems. Can the office provide cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry, dental implants, help with headaches, teeth straightening, or laser dentistry.  Can they treat all members of the family?  While you may not need all of these services, it is helpful to know how broad the dentist’s training is to meet special needs that may arise in the future.

OBSERVATIONS TO MAKE
Some things can only be learned by observation or by asking former or present patients for their opinions. Here are some things that are important to learn:

1. Does the dentist ask for a complete medical history? Your detailed medical history will be important for many reasons including determining allergies and possible drug interactions or tolerances.
2. Does the dentist do an oral cancer screening? This should be routine at your initial exam and then there should be a follow-up during every cleaning appointment. Your dentist needs to look not only at your teeth, but at your entire mouth.
3. Does the dentist use the most up-to-date tools for detecting dental decay, such as dental lasers and digital x-ray equipment? Dental lasers can detect decay in the grooves of teeth without the guess work and picking that was once associated with the procedure. Newer digital radiographs greatly reduce x-ray exposure for the patient, and can help your dentist show you any problems present on the computer screen.
4. Does the dentist check thoroughly for gum disease, decay, and correct bite? A thorough initial exam includes using a periodontal probe to check six points on each tooth – three on the cheek side and three on the tongue side to check for the depth of possible bone loss caused by gum disease. As a follow-up, periodontal probing should be done by the dental hygienist at every cleaning. Also, at the first exam, the jaw and teeth relationship and the contact points in your bite should be checked. This is important because changes in your bite can cause stress and cracked teeth.
5. Does the dentist take the proper number of x-rays for your individual case? The number of x-rays taken should be personalized for your individual case. The x-rays are necessary to make sure your mouth is examined for decay between each tooth, and to check for bone disease, cysts or any other type of problem.

Many dentists will provide a free consultation prior to providing service. Consider all of these questions and observations as you visit and also assess how you are treated by the staff and doctor.  With this, you should be well on your way to finding a great dentist that can serve you well.