Choosing the Right Family Dentist

As when shopping for any medical service, finding a good dentist can be difficult. However, finding a dentist who makes you comfortable, as well as meeting your needs, can help you to improve your oral health and your bright smile! While the first response to finding a dentist after a move, or a long hiatus from regular check-ups, is to choose a dental practice at random from the phone book or from the list of dentists covered by your insurance, finding the right dentist is often a more involved process.
The phonebook or list of insurance-covered dentists may be a good place to start your search, but often, individuals will need to meet with several practitioners before they find the one who is right for them. You may also consider asking neighbors or co-workers for referrals. Not everyone will have the same opinion on what makes a good dentist, but word of mouth is a good indicator of a dentists skills.
When you begin your search for the perfect dentist, here are a few things to keep in mind:
• During a thorough examination, a good dentist will examine more than just your teeth. The practitioner will also check your gums, tongue, lips, inside of your cheek, palate, and feel your neck for abnormal lymph nodes or thyroid gland problems. All of these will factor into good oral health, and are important to your dental treatment—preventative measures and emergency actions. Not only will a good dentist check these areas, but he or she will also chart the findings in detail and save them to your record.
• A good general dentist will encourage regular check-ups. Regular visits to the dental office can detect any oral problems early and save dental patients money as a result. Routine cleanings, examinations, and early interventions are key to preserving oral health and avoiding painful and costly repairs. Many fad dentists, those with flash advertisements and a high turn-over of patients, make money through these expensive dental repairs. A good dentist will be more concerned with your health than their profit.
• Most importantly, a good dentist will be one who takes a personal interest in their patients’ health. A dentist should work with each patient with prevention in mind. During an initial evaluation, they will x-ray a patient and suggest a full-mouth study, unless they have received excellent film and documentation from your previous dentist. A good family dentist will work to understand your unique issues, and work with you to continually improve your oral health.
Having a family dentist is important. Oral health relates to a myriad of other health problems, including heart attacks and stroke. Not only will having a dentist be helpful in case of a dental emergency, but regular check-ups can improve your overall health! While everyone will have a different opinion on the personality that is suitable for a dentist, most of us can agree that a good dentist will be patient-oriented and prevention-minded.
North Raleigh Smiles