While many people see their dentist twice a year, some less frequently, your relationship with your dentist is a very important one. Your dentist plays a crucial role in preserving the health of your teeth, gums and mouth. Your oral health in-turn influences your overall health and well-being. Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body and can often be the first place to detect problems with your overall health. For this reason and many more, you must select your dentist with careful consideration.
Here are some tips to ensure you find the right dentist:
1. Get referrals
If you are looking for a new dentist, a great place to start is with referrals. You can ask your family physician, pharmacist or other healthcare providers to put you in touch with a reputable dentist. If you are just moving to a new community, you may even ask your current dentist to recommend a dentist in that area. You may even ask your family members, friends and others in your social circle about their dentists. If you are not satisfied with their recommendations or do not know many people in your new community, you may conduct a quick google search for dentists in that area. When you have found them see what their clients have to say in their reviews. You can check dental associations as well since many have search options on their website to help you find dentists in your area.
2. Consider the logistics
When searching for a new clinic, accessibility is very important. How far is the clinic from your home or office? Is there parking or is public transportation available nearby? You should consider office hours too. If you work a nine-to-five job, Monday to Friday, does the dentist offer early morning or late evening appointments or are they open on weekends for dental emergencies? If you are a parent, you may want to find a dentist who caters to your entire family. Do a search on google maps in your neighbourhood to get an overview of the dentists in your area.
3. Check their services
There are varying dental services that a clinic may offer. In your search consider the type of service you require and look for a dentist whose services match up. It is best to find one that offers a range of services in addition to the ones you currently need. That way if your needs change, you may be able to continue seeing the same dentist instead of having to find a new one.
4. Call the dental clinic
When you think you have found a dentist, make a call to the dental clinic to find out whether they are accepting new patients. Use the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the clinic. Be aware of how the receptionist staff treat your call, are they inquisitive and do you feel they genuinely care for your situation? This can often set the tone for the rest of your dental experiences at this clinic and can reflect the attitude of the dentist as well.
Go in for a dentist visit
If your call went well, schedule an appointment to visit the clinic. See if the waiting area and the offices are clean and organized. Observe the dental professional and look if they are wearing gloves, masks and protective clothing. Also, note how you are treated and if you feel comfortable being there.
6. Speak with the dentist
When you go in to see the dentist, ask for a complete report on your oral health. See if the doctor explains their approach to treatment and whether they have a preventative dental care plan. If the doctor takes photos and shows you what they see, this is a good way to build trust and create a good relationship. You should also assess how comfortable you feel with the dentist; how easy it is to communicate with them or if they address your questions or concerns. Often, it takes some time for you to find the right dentist. So, if at any time in the process, you do not feel comfortable with a dentist or their staff, continue your search.
Are you looking for a dentist in North Vancouver?
If you are looking for a North Vancouver dentist, come see us at Peak Dental Arts. At our dental clinics, you will receive professional dental care in a calm, professional environment. We have invested in modern dental technology in order to better serve you and all our procedures are done using top materials and equipment. Furthermore, our doctors believe in lifelong learning and work hard to ensure they remain at the top of their field. So, what are you waiting for? Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.
