Choosing a new dentist should be something that you should put an excessive amount of thought and research into. Choosing someone that you trust with your oral health will make you feel safe and can help maintain your family’s teeth. There are some important questions to ask each dentist that you are looking at before you choose a new dentist. Here are some questions to help formulate your research and give you the most important information.
1- Are You Accepting New Patients?
The first and most important question that you should be asking is if the dentist can take you as a patient. If you have found a dentist that you like but they don’t have the ability for new patients right now, you can ask about a waitlist and put your name on the list for upcoming patients. Putting off getting dental care is not ideal, so if you can find a dentist that is currently accepting new patients, you can get an appointment for cleaning much sooner.
2- How Long Have You Been In Practice?
You will want to go to a dentist with experience and who knows all there is to know about dental. Ask a new dentist about how long they have been practicing and how many years they may have taken to expand their skills after school.
Dentists that have been in practice for years may have specialties that they provide and offer more specific procedures like cosmetic dentistry. Learning more about how long they have been practicing can help you see some of their ups and downs and how they have grown from mistakes.
3- What Sedation Methods Do You Have?
If you or anyone else in your family has dental anxiety you should know what sedation methods the dental office offers. Sedation and numbing can help during wisdom teeth removal, x-rays, fillings, and more. Knowing what methods and procedures they use to keep their patients calm can give you peace of mind.
4- Is Your Technology Up To Date?
Advances in technology are more and more common today. Keeping up with health technology means that we will have the healthiest they can be. Ask the dentist if their technology is up to date and how often they replace pieces in the office. Technology helps dental procedures to be less invasive and painful.
5- What Do Your Patients Love About Your Practice?
Reviews are a large part of our world when exploring a new business. If you are looking at dentists in your area, ask others in your community if they visit that dentist and what they like about them.
Online reviews can also help you determine how others feel about the practice or how they work with their family. Reviews can tell you more about the staff members, hygienists, and fun incentives they may have.
Reviews should not be the end of choosing a dentist. If you like a dental practice, they take your insurance, and your family feels comfortable with them, any other negative review may not be a deal breaker.
6- What Have You Done To Continue Your Education?
While the dental school does take many years, dentists can stay current and learn more about new techniques. If dentist is not working to improve or learn more, they may not be able to treat all the issues or problems that can arise. You will want to be able to visit your dentist for every problem you come across and you will not be able to.
Do You Need A New Dentist?
We at VIP Smiles are located in Syrause, Utah and have been servicing clients in the Davis County area for over twenty years. We have the latest dental technologies available and we are passionate about helping our clients feel confident in their smiles. For comprehensive dental care, reach out to us at VIP Smiles.
For more questions to ask your new dentist, click here.
