How to choose the best dentist for you

Have you had a bad experience at the dentist?

Perhaps you have a dental phobia?

Are you worried about getting ripped off?

Like any industry, dentists do get a bad reputation for ‘ripping people off’. Despite this, there are still a lot of great dentists out there. All dentists are not the same, and it’s worth doing your research to find the right one for you. You should always feel comfortable with your dentist, and if you aren’t, it’s worth shopping around!

I’d like to share with you some quick tips to help you find the best dentist for you, a dentist you’ll love for life!

What to look for in a great dentist:

1. A great dentist shows you what is wrong with your teeth instead of just telling you. They give  options on how to fix them instead of telling you what you need. You shouldn’t feel pressured or berated. The patient must always consent to undertaking any dental treatment.
2. A great dentist takes the time to get to know you. You should never feel ‘rushed’ during an appointment. A great dentist listens to you and gets to know you on a personal level. A great dentist cares about you and has your best interests at heart.
3. If you have a fear or phobia, a great dentist takes the time to discuss it with you so you can have your treatment completed feeling comfortable and calm.
4. A great dentist outlines all treatment costs clearly and explain the pros and cons of all treatment options. They won’t make a decision on what treatment you need, but give you the information to make the best informed decision for you. They let you know straight away if there are any additional costs they hadn’t told you about before.
5. A great dentist always explains what they are doing (if you are comfortable with this) whilst they are doing it, so you know what’s happening too.
6. A great dentist knows their limitations. They may choose to refer you to a specialist or another dentist if they feel that they won’t be able to do the best job for you. Be careful of dentists who promise a lot, you may end up being disappointed with the end result.
7. A great dentist is always learning. You might notice they are away sometimes at courses, it’s not because they want a holiday, it’s because they want to learn more to improve their skills.
8. A great dentist takes photographs. This is because photos are a great record of their treatment, and often helps them to continuously improve.
9. A great dentist is honest and transparent. If they have made a mistake or if something could have been done better, they tell you. Some even offer to re-do treatment for free if they feel they haven’t done as good a job as possible.
10. A great dentist accepts if you decide not to continue with treatment due to financial reasons. They won’t want you to feel financially pressured, and will discuss other options which may be more affordable for you.
11. A great dentist chooses to have great staff and equipment. They don’t cut corners when it comes to the quality of care their patients’ receive.
12. A great dentist often comes highly recommended by their happy patients!

If your current dentist doesn’t do these things, you can always talk to us about your concerns. Call us today on 6143 5655 or book online. 

DISCLAIMER: 

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Author: Lydia