As with any medical professional you’re entrusting with your care, choosing the right dentist can be a very important decision. Since you’re going to trust your dentist with the long-term care of your teeth, you’ll want to make sure that you feel entirely comfortable with one another and that a good relationship can form between the two of you. Here are a few tips to start your search.
1. Ask for Recommendations
Your friends and family know you best, so it helps to start there when it comes to recommendations. Someone you know might already be under the care of an excellent dentist who they think you’d love. Asking people you trust will also get you some deeper details about their personal experiences and opinions regarding the dentist and their practice.
2. Evaluate Their Services
You’ll want to do your research about the dental practice you’re thinking about, and make sure that they offer the services you’re looking for. It’s important that your dentist be able to accommodate emergencies, have a flexible schedule, and offer basic services like cleanings, x-rays, and fillings. It’s also crucial that you look into the technology they’re using. If it looks like they’re using outdated equipment and yesterday’s techniques, you might want to avoid them.
3. Ask About Pain Management
Especially if you suffer from anxiety or dental fear, you’ll want to have the lowdown on what methods your dentist will use for pain management and anxiety relief. This can help alleviate your worries about a painful experience.
4. Read Up On Office Policies
Do they accept insurance? Is it easy to get in contact with your dentist post procedure? Will you be charged a cancellation fee if you miss your appointment? These are all important questions to ask, and you can find out by checking the practice website or calling the office.
5. Schedule a Consultation
Once you’ve decided on a dentist, it’s time to schedule a consultation. Pay attention to the office and whether or not it’s clean, and observe the efficiency of the staff. When meeting the dentist, you shouldn’t feel rushed or brushed off when you ask questions or talk about your treatment. Go with your gut feeling when deciding whether or not to continue on with treatment at this particular practice.
It’s your health on the line, after all!
If you’re in the midst of searching for a dentist in Livonia, you might want to give Dwoskin & Owens Cosmetic & Family Dentistry a call. The search for a dentist can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Good luck!
