What to Look for in a Family Dentist
As a parent, you have many decisions to make. In fact, most days are nothing more than a stream of decisions, one after the next. What to feed your children? When to let them play outside, and when to bring them back in? The list goes on and on. That list extends all the way to picking out the right dentist for your kids, and your family as a whole. Picking out the right dentist will provide your family with a comfortable place to go for all of your various oral health needs.
But how do you pick the right dentist? In this article, we’d like to offer you a few simple tips for doing just that.
All the Services You Need
If you are going to pick out a dental office that will be your go-to location for oral care, you’ll want to make sure that office is able to provide you with all the services you expect to require. You can’t see perfectly into the future, of course, but you can think about what your family is likely to need from a dentist and pick an office that seems like a good fit.
For example, if your household consists of a couple of adults and two or three kids, you will want an office that is able to care for patients of all ages. Does anyone have a need for teeth whitening service1? That’s another factor to consider, along with any specific oral health conditions that will need to be treated on an ongoing basis. A quick review of the dental office’s website should be enough to confirm what kind of services they make available. Dr. Katz a Waterbury orthodontist adds that calling the office and asking if the office specializes in any specific treatments that might be helpful to your family can be very useful as well.
Location, Location, Location
One of the best things you can do for your oral health is to keep up with the preventive care that you receive from your dentist. Of course, in the busy scramble of day to day life, it can be easy to let that slip – especially if you have to drive a long distance to visit your chosen dentist. If you pick a dentist that is located a long distance away, you might find that you decide to skip out on scheduling exams and cleanings just because you can’t make time for the trip.
The key here is to find the right dentist without having to stray too far from home. Does that mean you need to pick the dental office closest to your home without a second thought? Of course not. Think about the routes you travel on a day to day basis – to work, to school, etc. – and consider all of the various dental offices which are located somewhere near those routes. Most likely, you’ll wind up with quite a few options to pick from, unless you happen to live in a remote location. With a dental office that is conveniently located close to your house or your office, one hurdle to great oral health will be moved out of the way.
Consider Reputation
These days, you don’t have to look far to find reviews of virtually any business. A quick internet search will usually return plenty of opinions on the pros and cons of a restaurant, a hotel, and just about anything else – including dental offices. While these reviews should not be the final word in which office you should select, they can provide you with helpful input. Instead of just looking at the ‘star’ rating for each dentist, take a moment to read through some reviews to understand the ratings and the motives behind them. Is there a theme to the reviews? Some dental offices seem to excel in some areas and struggle in others.
As you are reading reviews, think about how the comments you are finding will apply to you and your family. Are the complaints related to something that is going to affect you? Or does the dentist consistently get complimented on a service that you will be using? Make sure the things that the dentist seems to do well match up with your needs.
A Track Record
The dentist you choose doesn’t need to have been in business for multiple decades in order to earn your trust. With that said, you do want to confirm that the dentist is established in the community and likely to remain for some time. This is especially important if the goal is to pick a dentist that can treat you and your family for many years to come. Again, a quick website visit should offer you the necessary information on this point.
Stop By
One of the last steps you should take is to stop by the office and see it for yourself. Does it seem like a comfortable place to bring your children? Is the staff friendly and willing to answer your questions? You will want to feel at home when you come for dental care, whether it is you or one of your children that is playing the role of patient on that day. It’s worthwhile to think through all of the various points we have addressed so far in this article, but there is something about the ‘feel’ that you will get by visiting in person which can’t be replaced when you are browsing online. With any luck, the first dental office you decide to visit will be a winner, and you can get down to the business of scheduling your first appointment.
In the end, picking a great family dentist isn’t too much of a chore. As long as you take your time and ask the right questions, you should end up with a choice that serves your family well for many years to come. Of course, at Spokane Dental, we think our office would be the perfect place to bring your family for regular dental exams and any work you or your children need to be completed. To get started, contact our office during business hours for more information2.
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Contributed by DentalROI
DentalROI provides relevant dental content to help providers educate patients. The statements, services, and products referenced in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and they are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dental provider with any questions or issues you may have. Specific recommendations may vary in different circumstances, so individual consultation is important.
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