Time To Choose A New Dentist? If So, Check Out Our Simple Three-Step Guide!
There are many reasons to seek out a new dentist. You may have moved or perhaps your needs and preferences have simply changed. Regardless of the reason, choosing a new dentist is an important decision for you and your family. You are entrusting a key part of your overall wellness to someone with whom you’ve had no prior experience. Relying on recommendations from family and friends, and supplementing those recommendations with an online search, is often a great place to start. However, the needs and wants of others might not perfectly match your own and it’s hard to tell what a dental practice is truly like by simply looking at their website. This article is designed to offer you a three-step approach that can simplify the process and often yield better results.
Establish Basic Criteria
For most of us, the first criteria that we consider when choosing a new dental office is likely its location. When the office is close to home, work, or school it’s much easier to keep appointments. If you are a resident of Colorado and currently living in Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Greenwood Village , Centennial, or Cherry Hills then Dr. Maggie’s dental clinic is a fantastic choice.
The second criteria typically pertains to any special needs or preferences that might be of particular interest to you or your family. For example, you might want a dentist who specializes in restorative services such as dental implants or dental bridges. You might also be looking for a cosmetic dentist to aesthetically improve the appearance of your smile. Fortunately, Dr. Maggie AAACD and her team at Designer Smiles of Colorado are uniquely qualified to skillfully provide for all of your general and cosmetic dental needs.
The third and final criteria when it comes to choosing a new dentist likely relates to whether or not your dentist is properly licensed, meets professionally recognized standards for quality, and follows accepted standards for cleanliness and safety procedures. Dr. Maggie is one of only three practicing dentists along the entire Front Range to achieve Accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (What is AAACD?). In addition to her membership in this extremely elite group, Dr. Maggie has been published in The Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry and she periodically returns to her alma mater, the University of Colorado, as a guest lecturer. She stays current in the field of cosmetic dentistry by completing a variety of state-of-the-art continuing education courses each year, including advanced cosmetic course taught by “The Godfather of Biomimetic Dentistry” Dr. Pascal Magne.
Ask Questions
Once you have narrowed down a list of three or four potential dental care providers you can do your initial research over the telephone. These questions can help gauge if the dental practice is potentially a good fit for you and if it can meet your needs.
What should I expect during the first exam?
The answer should mention an in-depth conversation with the dentist about your general and oral health history, including any concerns, existing health conditions, and medications that you are taking. They should also mention that you’ll have an examination of your teeth and gums (including periodontal charting), X-rays, and an oral cancer screening.
Will clinic staff review my treatment options and costs before work is done?
It’s important to make sure that you’ll have all of the necessary financial information before making treatment decisions. The right office should work with you to get an accurate breakdown of your dental benefits and be able to offer you pre-treatment out-of-pocket estimates based on your specific insurance plan.
What are the hours of operation and how are patient emergencies handled outside of regular hours?
You’ll definitely want to find a practice with office hours that are convenient for your schedule. It’s also a good idea to inquire when the next available appointments are because many busy practices schedule months in advance. In the case of an emergency, most dentists make arrangements with a colleague or an emergency referral service if they can’t make themselves available after certain hours. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to ask about their emergency protocols.
In addition to getting answers to these questions you can use the call as an opportunity to gauge how you were treated by the front office staff over the phone. A courteous and helpful office staff can help alleviate dental anxiety and go a long way towards making your visits more enjoyable. Also, if they are friendly and respectful that’s usually a good indication that the overall feel of the office will be a good fit for you.
If you are completely satisfied with the answers to all your questions, and the staff was welcoming and accommodating, it’s likely time to make an appointment to meet your new dentist!
Check it out in person
It’s a good idea to confirm that you made the right choice during your first office visit. A welcoming front desk and a tidy environment are often signs of a well-run practice. Gauge how you are greeted when you enter the office, how promptly you are assisted, and how long you have to wait before being treated. While it’s not realistic to expect the practice to always be right on schedule it is reasonable to expect to be told within a few minutes of your arrival if there will be a delay.
Once you are in the examination room, make a mental note of how comfortable you feel with the environment and the staff. When the exam is over, make a note of how you feel about the thoroughness of the initial exam.
- Did the dentist check of all your teeth for decay and did they assess the condition of any existing fillings, crowns, or other dental work?
- Did the hygienist do a thorough check of your gum health with a periodontal probe to measure pocket depth and to determine where the gum attaches to each tooth root?
- Were you checked for signs of oral cancer or other diseases in your mouth, neck, lips, tongue, throat, and gums?
- If due, were X-rays taken and reviewed with you to provide additional diagnostic information?
Lastly, and following your exam, the dentist should provide you with a clear plan for your next visit. It might simply be a regular checkup or possibly an appointment for more extensive dental work. Regardless, the nature of the next appointment, as well as the risks, alternatives, costs and benefits should clearly be explained to you. Before you leave, make sure that the office explains how they handle insurance and billing.
Taking the time to ask these questions, as well as making careful firsthand observations while you are in the office, will help you make the right choice when it comes to finding a dentist who will best serve your individual needs. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing that you are trusting your care, oral health, and smile with a group of professionals that are a great for you.