Question:
I'm shopping for a new dentist, and there are so many to choose from!
Can anyone please help me narrow down my choice by providing me with a
starting point in making my selection - what criteria on which to base
my choice, how to look up a particular dentist's credentials, etc.?
For example, is there a place to look up which dental school from
which he/she graduated, whether or not there have been any patient
complaints, etc.?
Answer:
Word of mouth is the best referral basis. Talk to friends and
neighbors. They will definitely give you good feedback on any
dentists to see or not to see.
What's important to you? Speedy appointments? Thoroughness? Kindness?
Highly skilled? Money? Pain? Avoiding rude dental receptionists?
Getting good Caffe Latte? Hot towels? -- Don't laugh. This is what
dentists think is important today.
There are as many different wish lists for patients as there are
doctors.
These are the things that I tell people to look for if they are looking for a
dentist.
1. Does the doctor do an exam - a full exam including xrays
2. Does the hygiene appoint come on a different day? (A pain but important)
3. Does the doctor take a full series of xrays at the initial appointment
4. The hygienist is licenced by the state
These are things you can get on the phone.
Once in there you can feel more comfortable if the the reception room is clean.
There are current mags to read
It's always nice to see a photo book of the doctor's work
The doctor is on sched. or someone comes out to let you know there will be a
wait.
The doctor addresses every tooth
When talking about teeth with a lot of decay the doctor offers amalgam as a
temporary measure of a year.
It's been a long time since I gave this any tought, I hope this list is helpful
and to the point of your question.
Take your records with you for a second opinion, but do not "shop" the
diagnosis and treatment plan around. It's best for the second dentist to
do his/her own diagnosis and treatment plan rather than be asked to follow
someone else's. If you're comfortable with your current dentist and you
can afford to go out of network, seriously consider staying in that
practice. With a lot of work to be done, the second opinion is a good
idea.
