5 Steps to Follow When Choosing a New Dental Service
For dental care, it is much better to visit the same dentist periodically. The reason? You will establish a bond of trust with him, and he will be able to better meet your needs, big or small. In addition, over the years, your dentist will witness the evolution of your oral health. The more he has cared for your mouth, the more he will feel responsible for its health. And regardless of the unforeseen (incident, emergency, etc.), he will do everything to help you and take care of your dental health.
1. Follow the Recommendations of Those Around You
If you are moving to a new neighborhood, ask your dentist first if they can refer you to a colleague. Follow the same process with your family doctor and the pharmacist in your new community. Use your network, friends, and family. Let them know about your research. Word of mouth is a great way to find people who are blown away by their dentist and ask for nothing better than to recommend them.
You can always check the Yellow Pages or the Internet if you don’t know a lot of people in your new neighborhood. Remember that information obtained from the Internet is not always reliable! Several provincial or regional dental associations have websites that allow you to search for a dentist by region.
2. Ask Practical Questions
Even if you are referred to a reputable dentist, it is in your interest to look at the practical side of things; the accessibility of the premises by car or by public transport, the proximity of the parking lot (if available), and the opening hours of the clinic. Does your potential dentist work weekday evenings or weekends? And if there was an emergency on a Sunday (like a broken tooth), would he take care of you? What are the prices? Do you have access to a financing plan if you don’t have dental insurance?
Ask the staff if they can serve you in your native language or if at least they can speak to you in a language you are comfortable with.
3. Reach Out by Phone
Call the dental practice and ask if the dentist is accepting new patients. While you’re at it, take the opportunity to find answers to your practical questions, if you still have them. It will also be a good opportunity to get to know the atmosphere there. How did the receptionist greet you? Are the staff courteous? Does it make you comfortable? If you are made to wait unduly on the other end of the phone. Does the staff have time for you? If he can’t answer any of your questions, then maybe you should choose another dentist.
4. Meet On-Site
Visit the doctor. So you can see for yourself how long it takes you to get to his office and see if his location is easily accessible. On-site, observe the cleanliness of the premises if the staff is organized or if they welcome you professionally. Overall, did you get a good impression from your visit? For example, you can make your teeth feel good with the dentist in Holland and see if their range of dental solutions suit you.
5. Talk to the Dentist
Make an appointment with the dental service and ask them about their practice in general. Does the dentist provide clear details to patients during the treatment? Take the opportunity to ask her how prevention fits into her dental hygiene program. All dentists do not take the same approach; some emphasize the aesthetic aspect of their practice while others focus on regular x-rays, etc. After getting answers to your questions, you will be able to judge whether the dentist can meet your needs. Most importantly, this interview will let you know if he listens to you well, if he is happy to answer your questions, and if you feel comfortable around him.
