A good dentist can work wonders on your teeth, preserving your pearly whites and prolonging them for better and longer dental health. Although dentistry is widespread and offers similar treatments in every locality, it takes clues to find the best. Optimum dental care needs expertise, the latest technology, and serious professional consideration. This finding good dentist guide is going to help you understand what to look for when making your next dental appointment.
Type of dentist you require
There is general dentistry, specialist dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry. General dentistry is the most common type, and a general dentist is equivalent to your GP. They are usually your first point of consultation and help you take care of your general oral health. Their services include routine examinations, fillings, dental cleaning, x-ray and scanning, and extractions. Cosmetic dentistry includes non-advanced orthodontics, restorative dentistry treatments, inlays, crowns, veneers, dental implants, composite bonding, teeth whitening, bridges, and Invisalign. Specialist dentistry involves oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, IV sedation, and advanced orthodontics.
After an examination, your dentist will refer you to a specialist if your condition is outside general dentistry or more complex. Some practices offer all dental services, so there’s no need for you to be referred elsewhere. Therefore, it is important to learn about your dental care options and which dental practice offers the most up-to-date and convenient treatment. Ask your dentist about all the options open to you. Researching online will also give you details on your condition and treatments available, as well as practices near you offering these treatments.
If you have a disability, the practice you choose must be able to accommodate your needs.
Location of the practice
Choosing a clinic more accessible from home or work is always a good idea. Sometimes, your treatment plan may be an extended one with multiple appointments. In such cases, travel time and convenience become important for stress-free visits to the dentist. Search for nearby clinics not too out of the way for you and pay attention to their practicing hours. While it is vital to choose a good dental clinic, it should not inconvenience you to visit it. Some clinics are only open in the evening and at night. A child-friendly dentist will have flexible scheduling hours.
Online Research
Patient testimonials and reviews can guide you to get an idea about a dental practice. However, it is also important to remember that not all reviews or testimonials will accurately represent the quality of service. Sometimes, what some might find negative may be a triviality to you, like if they had to wait a bit longer at the waiting room, or the treatment took longer than they expected. An efficient practice will not keep their patients waiting, but there will be unplanned circumstances and urgent needs, so keep an open mind when reading reviews.
All dental practices need to be registered with the Care Quality Commission and the General Dental Council. These are legal requirements, and you should not overlook these. Certificates for these registrations are on display in the reception area. You can always call and enquire if a practice is registered with relevant bodies and authorities and verify this when visiting. Your dentist should also be qualified and professionally trained. These qualifications are usually displayed in the treatment rooms and dental office.
Insurance and payment options
Most dental insurance policies are designed for you to recover the money you pay your dentist for treatments received. Some policies only cover NHS treatments, while others cover only private or both. Private policies set maximum benefit levels for check-ups, scale and polish, hygienist visits, X-rays, fillings, root canals, and crowns. These also have caps on the percentage that they would pay towards it. Find out whether your insurance covers the services offered by the dentist. If the dentist belongs to an association, check if your insurance includes practitioners of that association.
Some dental professionals offer in-practice insurance in partnership with dental insurers, so even if you do not have a dental plan, you can still apply for one through your dentist. You might want to look at other self-financing options, such as savings and paying by credit card, which spreads out the payment. A well-established dentist also offers their own payment plans for more expensive and long-term treatment.
A good dentist has their fees displayed on the website, so you know the cost of each treatment before you decide on the dentist or the treatment.
Ask your dentist for recommendations if you are moving
Sometimes the best person to recommend you to a good dentist when moving away is your current dentist. Dentists have networking connections that allow them to get to know dentists all across the country. Make your first informant your present dentist, and it might save you the trouble of locating one that is well-respected. Make sure to pay a visit to experience the atmosphere of the new place. And, remember, even your doctor’s recommendation needs a search online for more info. Once you register at the new place, your records will be transferred there.
Services and treatments offered
Dental check-ups
It is one of the most basic but necessary services at a dentist designed to keep your oral health in prime condition. At these routine check-ups, your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, and mouth. They will look into your general health and any problems you have experienced relating to your teeth, gums, and mouth since the last visit. You will receive advice on your diet, cleaning habits, and if your smoking or drinking habits have affected your teeth in any way. If your teeth need professional cleaning, you will get an appointment with a hygienist. You will also receive an appointment for your next visit. How soon you will have to see your dentist again will depend on the state of your oral and dental health.
Children are encouraged to have routine examinations, especially those who have permanent teeth developing or developed. Early signs of decay and orthodontic problems, when detected before they worsen, can be rectified and prevented more easily.
Fillings, extractions, and root canal treatment
Tooth decay makes these necessary. While amalgam fillings are the most basic type, composite fillings bond with the natural tooth structure, appearing similar in shape and colour. Porcelain fillings/inlays are also available and usually more costly, but more durable and increase tooth strength. Some extractions require surgery and specialists. When you choose a dentist for extractions, it is worth considering a clinic that has the technology, resident specialists, and emergency care. Root canal treatment or endodontics also requires specialists. If the case is complex, a general practitioner will refer you to a clinic that provides specialist dental treatments.
Crowns, veneers, bridges, and implants
These are restorative treatments that repair damaged, missing, and discoloured teeth.
Teeth whitening
It is a cosmetic dental treatment that enhances the whiteness of your teeth to get rid of stains, discolouration, and yellowing.
Periodontics
It is the specialist diagnosis and treatment of gum diseases. Minimally invasive techniques, surgery, and laser treatment are used. Periodontists also place dental implants and perform surgery to enhance the appearance of the teeth and gums that include aesthetic enhancement, implantology, periodontal surgery, regenerative therapy, and grafting.
Orthodontics
These include treatments with braces, Invisalign, and retainers related to teeth aligning.
Finding the right dentist is like striking gold. They can make an otherwise anxious process pleasant, pain-free, and efficient. If you are particularly nervous, you will appreciate a friendly and respectful chairside manner. Polite staff, high practice standards, and expertise are worth every bit of effort you put in to find a good dentist. Mouth Dental is one of East London’s fully-equipped, multi-clinic establishments offering general to specialist and emergency dental treatment.
