If the mere thought of being in the dentist’s office fills you with dread, you’re not alone. Nearly 10-20% of adult Americans avoid the dentist due to fear and immense anxiety. This fear is known as dental phobia, and it contributes to poor oral health.
Your ideal dentist should be someone you trust, as routine dental checkups are essential to good oral health. To help you ease into your next dental appointment, here are some pointers on what to look for in a dentist.
1. Seek referrals from friends.
To help you narrow down your search, put together a list of possible dentists. Begin by asking friends or family members who’ve recently had some dental work done for referrals. Your primary care doctor or insurance provider may also offer some valuable recommendations. After you have your list, look up their level of experience, education, and other credentials. A website like healthgrades.com can be a great place to start.
Beyond this, look up online reviews by past clients to know what to expect, and to get a general feel of the clinic before making your first visit. Next, book an appointment with each dental office. Most of these offer a free consultation, so use this opportunity to meet, interview, and build a rapport with the dentist.
2. Consider your dental needs.
Your teeth are important, and you need a professional to keep them in good repair. Different dental practices offer different dental procedures, so you’ll need to figure out your dental needs before settling on a single dental care provider. You’ll fair on better with a dentist that offers full dental care, so look for a dental practice that offers general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and orthodontic procedures.
Your dental care is an investment in your overall health, so your dentist should be a health partner. Understanding this, the team at 4M Dental Implant Center is here to help. Their team of oral surgeons offers full dental care, meaning that you can have all your dental procedures in one place. Their teams also use advanced technology, meaning that you’ll have minimally invasive dental procedures administered through proper care.
Their doctors also have extensive knowledge in implant dentistry, wisdom teeth removal, and other dental procedures, making them well-placed to answer any questions you may have.
3. Consider their affordability.
Some dental procedures can be expensive, but there are several ways to finance your dental treatments—you just need to know where to look. For starters, you’ll want to seek out a dental practice that’s part of your insurance plan’s network. This is important because it’ll save you a ton of money on the out-of-pocket costs that dental care can sometimes increase.
Beyond this, find out what financing options the practice offers and if they accept payments through third-party providers like CareCredit, Proceed Financing, and GreenSky.
4. Consider the staff’s demeanor.
When you’re considering a family dental clinic, you want to make sure the staff at the dental clinic has a friendly team that offers compassionate care and puts you at ease. This is because dental appointments tend to cause some level of anxiety. Having a dental clinic with friendly staff will reduce the nerves, especially if there are children involved, and make it a pleasant experience for you.
Also, consider how the staff handles your dental records and other confidential information. This will give you further insight into what kind of patient care you’ll receive.
Finally, go with your gut. Meaning if there’s anything about the dental office, no matter how small that makes you uncomfortable, go with your instinct. Take your time, and dedicate enough time to research.
