Choosing a Dentist

Question:

How does one go about choosing a dentist?

Answer:

Many people choose a dentist just because their location is convenient, or because they are the least expensive. This is not the way to go about selecting a dentist. These factors may play a role in your final decision; however, if you choose right the first time you will save money and time in the long run. Conversely, a dentist who charges a large fee does not necessarily provide greater dental care. Also, you should avoid choosing a dentist based on flashy advertisements, paid for media placements, or misleading claims that promise certain results within a certain time frame. Instead, you should ask for a referral from someone you know and trust. Once you have a name, you should Google them, check their background, affiliations, dental society standings, etc. Take the time to review their before and after photos, patient testimonials and learn about their practice (is it clean, up to date, and practicing proper infection control techniques).The dentist you choose should be committed to a high standard of ethics, and you should feel that your health and care means more to them than your wallet.

Question:

What qualities should I look for in a dentist?

Answer:

You should look for a dentist who has the ability to put you at ease, and who takes the time to listen to your concerns and answer your questions. Your dentist should take pride in what they do, and recognize the importance of educating their patients. He or she should be up to date with their continuing education and technology, wear loupes (special glasses with magnification and built-in light source) to enable better vision, maintain a clean work environment, and treat their staff well. You should always feel that you are the first priority, not your wallet.

Question:

How do I find a dentist while traveling?

Answer:

If you should require dental services while traveling, the first place to call would be your dental office to see if they can help locate a reputable dental provider in the area where you are traveling. If you are not able to secure a recommendation that way, you may contact the local dental society, dental school or hospital, or ask for a referral from a dependable source, and then research them online if possible.

Question:

When should I see a general dentist versus seeing a specialist?

Answer:

No dentist is great at everything. While a dental degree allows one to practice any aspect of dentistry, the best dentists are those who are willing to refer you to someone else when the work required is beyond their scope of expertise. For example, unless a general dentist is specially trained, and habitually removes impacted wisdom teeth, you are better off seeing an Oral Surgeon. If you are interested in having braces, inquire about the dentist’s experience with that particular procedure, because more times than not, an Orthodontist (while usually more expensive), will be better suited to give you the desired results without the complications.

Question:

What’s the difference between a DDS and a DMD?

Answer:

There is no difference between the DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degrees. The difference is only a matter of semantics. Most dental schools award the DDS degree; however, there are some that award a DMD degree. The level of education and degrees given are valued the same.