A dentist is sort of like a teacher. What they do is immensely important to your life, but it’s easy to forget that choosing the right one matters.
Mouth pain is one of those feelings you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy, and the treatment of oral ailments requires lots of schooling and training for that reason. As veritable doctors for the mouth, dentists are the only people who can truly help with issues like gingivitis, impacted teeth, and more.
Which means dentists hold a lot of power. Naturally it would follow that you want those people who – in the event of throbbing gums or bad breath before your next hot date – cares not only about providing sometimes crucial health services, but making dental experiences something to look forward to!
You can enjoy going to the dentist, and dental work can be an enjoyable experience – it all starts with choosing the right dentist!
How to Choose a Dentist
When choosing a dentist, do not make your choice lightly.
There are so many things to think about, such as overall experience, cleanliness, and pedigree. Dentists cannot have their own practice – or work in another dentists’ office – without the proper educational and experiential credentials.
That means if you’re going to any dentist, they at least have their bases covered. So what else is a factor in terms of qualifications?
Awards
Doing your research on a dentist’s website will show whether or not they’re recognized in their field for the work they do. The more, the merrier they say!
Reviews
People care a lot about their dental experiences. In fact, you’d be hard pressed not to find someone who doesn’t have a strong opinion about a recent dental visit.
Whether on their Facebook page, or in Google results (even Yelp!) there’s plenty of opportunities to find out what people think of a particular dentists’ service. You’ll want to focus on meaningful input that is reasonable, whether positive or negative.
For instance, someone might leave a bad review because the particular dentist doesn’t accept their particular insurance. Unfortunately, those are business decisions, not medical ones. It’s absolutely crucial to make sure the dentist you choose accepts your insurance – otherwise, you’ll be stuck with a large bill!
See if your insurance is one of 43 providers in Australia we accept here.
Reviews are instead a great way of judging the overall experience, and the quality of care at any dentist. If a review mentions patients making return visits for the same service, for instance, then that might be a red flag!
How to Choose a Pediatric Dentist
Adults often hate the dentist. For children, it’s an entirely different experience.
Sensitivity for a child’s fears and uncertainty is paramount for any dentist who takes on children clients. It’s not necessary to go all out and decorate exam rooms with child-friendly decorations – what’s most important is that the dentist is patient, friendly, and responsive to their reactions.
Great pediatric dentists understand all of the above, and reviews are a great way to make an informed choice for your child’s dental care.
As a parent, you are encouraged to speak with potential dentists about dealing with children. It’s fair to assume that if you like what you hear, you’ll be making a great choice of dentist for your child.
Emergency Dentists
Sometimes dental pain requires you to call out of work. Or, you crack a tooth suddenly and need to address it immediately. Emergency dental care is what you need.
Not all dentists offer emergency dental care. If you’re researching potential dentists in your area, you’ll absolutely want to make sure they take emergency cases.
At Star Dental in Port Macquarie, we take emergency cases all the time because we understand that dental health doesn’t wait. Any dentist that takes emergency patients on a whim are keenly aware of this, and your dentist should be ready for whatever life throws your way.
How to Choose the Right Dentist
Doing your research is everything.
Also, you can simply ask. Call us anytime you have a question, whether you’re ready to move from your current dental practice, or haven’t been to the dentist in years.
We at Star Dental have developed a sanitary, friendly dental practice through years of experience. As a leading provider of cosmetic, medical, and preventative dental care in Port Macquarie, we’re ready for all cases that walk through our door – whether you have an appointment or are experiencing an emergency, we’re with you 100 percent of the way.
If you’re looking for a dentist in New South Wales, contact our office today to find out how Star Dental will be your dentist for life. We can’t wait to hear from you!