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Tips to Help Pick a Wonderful Family Dentist

Family dentists are dentists that take care of not only their own family but the families of many people. If a dentist’s practice is primarily focused on family members, then it is a family dentist. Family dentists take care of the teeth of adults and children, so the care for adults is focused on preventing tooth decay, cleaning the teeth to remove plaque, and providing dental care to keep them healthy. The primary focus is prevention. A family dentist also takes care of the teeth of their own family members and friends and neighbours, which requires a high level of expertise in dental diagnosis.

The first step to finding a great family dentist is to show up at every opportunity you can to learn about all the dentists in your area. Try calling every practice for a description of what they do, how long they have been in business, how long they have provided dental services in your area, any referrals they may have, etc.

1. What qualifications and experience do the dentist have?

A family dentist should have a DDS or DMD degree, as well as residencies, internships, and fellowships in paediatric dentistry. A family dentist should also be licensed to practice their trade in the country and province that they live in. Having an up-to-date degree and license shows that the dentist is educated in their profession and has been trained by the board of health in their area. A family dentist should have some minor credentials in these areas so they can provide more than basic cleaning and assist the doctor with any procedure that the dentist may not be skilled at performing. Having some minor certifications allows the dentist to refer you to a specialist such as an orthodontist or specialist when needed.

2. What kind of staff does the dentist have?

A family dentist should have a professional dental staff, including at least three dental hygienists, an oral surgeon, a dental assistant, and a scheduling person. Each member of a good team will be helpful to you and your children’s dental care. The team will work together to provide you with great service, information about teeth and education on dental health. A well-trained staff will take time to listen to the patient’s needs and concerns while treating them with great dignity, respect, and care.

3.What do you see in your office?

A family dentist should have a friendly and comfortable office. The waiting room should be clean to keep anxious patients calm. Each patient should feel like their dental care is the most important thing for the staff to take care of. The staff should be able to provide you with great service, information about teeth and education on dental health in a peaceful environment. The office will also have modern equipment such as digital radiographs, intraoral cameras, anaesthetic delivery equipment etc., which are vital for a family dentist’s practice.

4.What needs does the dentist’s office fulfil concerning your family?

A family dentist should have a patient-friendly system that will allow you to plan out your visit on the previous day so you can get in and out quickly. You should also be able to expect a quick and efficient cleaning by ensuring that they are using up-to-date equipment such as digital radiographs, intraoral cameras, anaesthetic delivery equipment etc., which are vital for a family dentist’s practice. A family dentist should also have paperless records. This allows the dentist to keep your information so that you can review your records online and will help to keep medical and dental insurance companies from getting stuck with duplicate claims.

  • What’s the dentist’s office charge?

A family dentist should have an affordable fee for a family or one adult, and discounts for children and seniors in most areas. A family dentist may charge a flat fee for a cleaning, exam, or treatment plan, but do not count on this rate as it may change. Instead, check with the office frequently to get current rates so that you can compare prices among all offices in your area. No matter what, keep in mind that a family dentist should make you feel comfortable and do their best to make sure you will keep coming back for years to come.

  • How long will it take to schedule an appointment?

A family dentist should have a very efficient scheduling system that will keep you from waiting long periods of time in the waiting rooms. A family dentist should also have an appointment-only policy, so clients cannot call to make an appointment from home. A family dentist should have a short waiting period during which you can get registered with the staff and then be taken back for your appointment within the hour.

Symptoms of a Bad Dentist

There are many signs of a bad dentist. The most obvious one is that the patient must return multiple times because of a severe, long-term problem. The second sign is when the patient needs a lot of dental work, but they do not provide the predicted quality treatment or good care.

The third sign is when the dentist does not explain what will happen during certain stages of treatment; this can lead to situations where you might need more expensive treatments than originally expected. Another warning sign would be when you must wait for over 48 hours for appointments and services, which can cause frustration and anxiety about your health condition.

Dentists who entrust almost everything to their assistants

Some dentists have assistants who perform most of their work. This is mostly because they delegate so much. Some dentists do not make any tooth extractions but only place the teeth of a mouth in their proper spaces, thus avoiding a lot of work altogether. Some dentists might be very excited about training someone new. But they should realize that the new dentist will take advantage of them, rather than being grateful for the opportunity. Do not teach an assistant unless you have a good reason.

– If you train them, then treat them well.

-If you do not train them and they leave and take clients with them, do not blame other dentists for it; it is your own fault for not even implementing a worthwhile apprentice’s program!

-Do not train them to extract teeth because most of the time they do more harm than good.

-Do not say that you can train them on how to communicate with clients, when that is not something they can learn.

Dentist who changes their mind about the treatment required for a patient. This can be a sure sign of bad dentistry as the dentist will probably end up doing unnecessary procedures and this will usually delay or even cancel the initial treatment plan.

Dentists who speak over the phone during a surgical procedure on you

Some dentists will take phone calls or talk to other patients while you are undergoing a surgical procedure. This is invasive and inconsiderate! You are the one who is paying for this service!

-When you may need full concentration, such as during a root canal procedure, it can have consequences.

-If the dentist does this, then he is not the person you should be around for your oral health.

-Such dentists will find out that patients are more interested in quality than cost and will think twice before talking on the phone again.

If these signs seem familiar, then you should probably find a new dentist and make sure they do not fit into any of these categories before signing any contracts.

Suggesting expensive operations for diminutive tooth problems

Dentists often recommend expensive interventions to fix minimally significant problems. However, good dentistry involves minimal intervention and delivering care in a way that is appropriate for the patient’s needs.

-If you notice your dentist requesting expensive work, then you should look for a new one.

-Some patients may request expensive procedures to make the dentist happy, but this is a bad idea.

Pricing

Dentists often practice under false cost pressures by failing to clearly inform their patient what it will cost. A simple statement about pricing would help patients realize that dentistry is not as costly as it seems.

-Do not give the dentist any additional money for procedures. If you do, then don’t complain if the dentist is too busy to inform you of a reasonable cost beforehand. -If you cannot afford a procedure, then find a new dentist.

-Be sure to ask about the cost of procedures before signing any contracts.

-Talk to other patients and see what their experience is with that dentist and ask them about the price of procedures so you can make an informed decision.

Manhandled by the dental chair for not staying still

Some dentists will manhandle you when you refuse to remain still on the dental chair.

-This is an offense against your dignity and should not be tolerated.

-If you are considering visiting a dentist who does this, then think about the long-term consequences, not just the short-term benefits of taking care of your teeth.

-Attempting to make such a person conform by force is unethical and disrespectful to that person’s human rights.

Dentists who only take cash

– This can be problematic because there are patients without credit cards, which means they cannot receive treatment! Patients without credit cards need to find dentists that accept all forms of payments so they can get help with their dental work. -Some dentists will not accept cash, or only accept it in small amounts.

-Even if they accept money, they may not accept payment by cash or other means.

-The lack of a way to pay can cause problems in the long run.

 -If possible, try to talk to the dentist about accepting all forms of payments.

“Overcoming Your Fear of the Dentist” – How to Prepare for a Trip to the Dentist

This is a detailed list of things that you can do to overcome your fear of the dentist.

1. Stay Calm: Starting with the most important, stay calm and remind yourself that dentists work all day long and they have seen it all before. If you have already started feeling lightheaded, then take deep breaths.

2. Get Dental-Ready: Brush your teeth for at least two minutes every day, use dental floss once a day and rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking something acidic (i.e., soda). Make sure you are using a toothpaste that is fluoride-free if you are allergic!

3. Take Good Care of Your Teeth: Brush your teeth every day after you eat a meal, gargle with mouthwash every day and floss every night before bed! If your teeth are sensitive, try using a fluoride-free toothpaste or use interdental brushes. You may also want to consider getting sealants or whitening your teeth at the dentist’s office.

4. Expect the Unexpected: Odds are, if you are going to have to go to the dentist, you are going to have many things go wrong with your teeth! Expect it and handle it accordingly when it happens.

5. Create an Emergency Kit: This can be just a small box with everything you need to handle an emergency. If the dentist says you have a cavity, it is best to let them know as soon as possible. The sooner they can take steps to repair or fill the cavity, the less damage it will do to your mouth!

6. Let Someone Know You are Afraid: Most dentists are understanding and patient, but let your dentist know you are afraid of the dentist beforehand so he/she can help ease your mind by giving advice on things you can do (like self-hypnosis) that may work for you.

7. Take Time to Relax: It is not fun to be in a dental chair, but it is important to keep your dentist informed on how you are feeling so they know if you’re okay with the procedure.

8. Talk to Dental Professionals: Most of us know that there are groups of people, for example, doctors and nurses, that we can talk to about things we are worried about. Dentists are the same way and there are many groups we can join for support and advice.

9. Accept Your Situation: The worst part about going to the dentist is having a cavity or other dental problem that needs immediate attention. If you need to go to the dentist, accept your situation and know you are in excellent hands.

10. Accept Treatment: Do not be afraid of dental treatment. Procedures like fillings, root canals and crowns are all necessary most times for dental problems. It is okay if you are afraid that something will happen, but do not be afraid to receive the treatment when it happens! It is all part of having good oral health!

11. Relax: If you are already at the dentist’s office, relax and enjoy yourself! Most dentists allow their patients a small amount of free time if they prefer not to watch TV or listen to music while undergoing treatment, like x-rays or cleaning.

12. Do Your Research: Research about dental work you are worried about before having a procedure done. Sometimes, there are home remedies that can help, but if you are having a root canal or crown done, research is vital to making sure the result will meet your expectations!

13. Develop an Emergency Strategy: Have an emergency contact on your phone and know how to contact them in case something goes wrong!

14. Be Patient: Dental procedures usually take longer than you think and the dentist and assistant want to do things right for you! They will be as efficient as possible to make sure you are comfortable during treatment and safe afterwards.

15. Follow Instructions: If the assistant or dental hygienist you are working with gives you any instructions, do what they ask! They are there to help and know what they are doing.

16. Ask Questions: Everyone is different and has different situations going on in their lives. If any question arises in your mind, do not be afraid to ask

17. Be Open-Minded: Do not be afraid to listen to what the dentist says, even if it seems silly to you! Be open-minded and willing to learn about what you can do in the future to prevent dental problems.

18. Try to relax as Much as Possible: It is hard, but try to relax as much as possible without calling into question what the dentist or assistant is doing!

19. Realize it Could be Worse: Having a cavity filled or other dental treatment done is obviously not a walk in the park, but remember that at least it could be worse! You could have multiple cavities, an abscessed tooth or gum disease!

20. Write your concerns in advance: If you feel overwhelmed, tell someone who can help or write it down so that when you come back for your next appointment, your concerns are clearly stated.