What to Look for When Choosing a Family Dentist
Choosing a family dentist for your family is a daunting task. You want somebody who is qualified, kind, and easy to access when you need them. Here are some tips to help you navigate this potential minefield.
5 Things to Look For in a Dentist For Your Family
1. Check if your dentist’s office is open during hours that are convenient.
That means convenient hours for you and your family so that you avoid appointment cancellations. For example, if your dentist only sees patients during the day on Monday to Friday and you find it tough to get out of work for available appointment times, you’ll run into trouble. Instead, choose a more flexible dentist who sees patients on evenings and weekends, too. (Or find yourself a new job :))
2. Make sure that your dentist offers emergency services.
Most of the time, getting emergency dental treatment from your family dentist will be faster and more convenient than seeking such care from your local hospital emergency room. Emergency rooms treat patients in order of urgency – and the fact that you have excruciating tooth pain isn’t likely to win out over a heart attack or stroke victim, leaving you potentially cooling your heels for hours in the hospital waiting room. However, if your dentist offers emergency after-hours service, or can refer you to someone who does, you can rest easy knowing you’ll always be promptly attended to if a dental emergency affects you.
3. Ask if your dentist offers sedation for anxious family members.
Children who are unlucky enough to require a filling or more invasive dental treatments are often completely freaked out over going to the dentist to have it fixed. Adults who have had bad experiences at the dentist in the past are often similarly freaked out. Sedation may be an option even for routine procedures for those with anxiety. A good dentist will be able to offer methods of sedation that are safe and effective for calming frazzled nerves in patients of all ages. This can really take the stress out of the equation for family members when visiting the dentist.
4. Preference for Famale Dentists?
If someone in your family has a preference for a male or female dentist, double check that the dental practice you are considering can accommodate their wishes. Many parents today seek dental offices where access to a female dentist is an option, thus making it easy to see a dentist of your preferred sex if you have one.
5. Family members of all ages should be comfortable with your dentist.
Your family may include young children, teenagers, young adults, and even seniors. Before you commit to a family dentist, make sure they are comfortable with meeting the needs of patients in all of the age groups that are represented in your family. Of course, full service dentistry including emergency services and easy insurance billing are considerations based on your family needs.
Picking Your Family Dentist is Obvious Now!
If you follow the simple guidelines outlined above, it should be obvious what you need to look for in a dentist for your family. Once you know what you’re looking for, finding a suitable dentist will be easy. Get on the phone today with dental practices in your area and find out if they will meet your needs.
If you are in the Oakville, Burlington, or Milton Ontario area and would like to visit Reflections Dental’s Oakville clinic, we’d be pleased to have you! Contact our dental office today to make an appointment.
