Choosing a Dentist For You and Your Family

Do You Know a Good Dentist?

It would seem like choosing a dentist would be a simple task. Theoretically, all dentists have the same training and knowledge. They have the skills necessary to do the job. In a perfect world, we would all just go to the most convenient and least expensive doctor and that would be the end of it. You may have noticed that we don't live in a perfect world. As with any service you seek, you need to use good judgement and common sense to find the best care for you and your family. If you are a person who has special needs such as unusual medical conditions or extreme dental fear or phobia, it would be a good idea to interview several dentists, if possible, to find the right match. Following are some criteria you may want to be mindful of when searching for a new dentist.

1. Experience: Time is the greatest teacher. How long has the dentist been in practice? Do they have references from satisfied patients? What procedures do they perform in the office and what procedures do they refer? How do they handle emergencies?
2. Appearance: Are the dentist, staff, and facility neat, clean, and up to date? Ask to look around the office and be informed about sterilization procedures.
3. Willingness to listen: Good communication skills are critically important to a satisfying relationship. Dental care is a very personal experience. Will the dentist take the time to listen to your needs and concerns in a non-threatening environment away from the treatment rooms? Will they perform a comprehensive exam and treat you as a whole person? Do they offer visual aids such as preview models, mock-ups in the mouth, or computer simulations to help understand special situation?
4. Credentials:
* Is the dentist in good standing with the state licensing board?
* Where and when did they complete their dental education?
* Is the dentist a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or other professional organizations?
* Have they completed additional study in all areas of dentistry to stay current in the field?
* When did they complete their last course of study. dental knowledge is always changing. Be sure your doctor is up to speed on the latest dental techniques.
5. Ask to see a portfolio of their dental art and remember to ask if the photos you are seeing are of actual work the dentist has performed. You might also ask if the dentist has a list of references from patients he or she has treated.

To find candidates in your search for a new dentist, consult friends and co-workers. The major dental professional organizations have referral networks at their websites. They are listed at the left side of this page. Finally, There are a number of commercial referral services available. Please note that dentists pay money to be listed on these services and most really don't have very demamding selection criteria.

46% of consumers don't have a regular dentist!