Going for a dental treatment almost always is not something most of us look forward to. It is not the kind of appointment that we are most eager to attend. Often we will wish that the date will be moved or cancelled. Dentists are probably the most feared among health practitioners. Children often behave like meek lambs when told they are to be sent to the dentist as punishment for behaving badly. Most of us have been scared of dentists since we were young. Often we stick with the dentist our family knows for years but it is also wise to evaluate if our dentist is providing us with adequate treatment. If not, it is probably best to seek a new and better practitioner. Moving to a new place also presents the problem of finding a good dentist. Moreover, there are many of us who do not have a regular dentist.
How do you find a new and good dentist? Your first instinct might be flipping the yellow pages and letting your fingers do the searching. Although most of us will do just that, finding a new dentist through the yellow pages and local dental societies are not very good ideas. They may have a complete list of dentists in the area however, they do not evaluate them and do not give points of comparison. Instead, you can try these sources:
1. Check if there is a dental school nearby. Dental schools are good sources of fine practicing dentists. You can call and ask for the names of the practicing faculty members.
2. Check for hospitals and heath care centers that provide dental services in your area. The dentist in charge in those facilities may be able to provide you with good recommendations. The dentist in charge may very well know the reputations and performances of his colleagues practicing in the area.
3. You can ask an orthodontist or a periodontist if you know one. They will be able to recommend to you a good general practitioner. These specialists should be familiar with the kind of work referring dentists do.
4. If you are moving to a new place, you can ask your current dentist if he knows of a good dentist in your new location.
Your new dentist should carry out a preventative approach. This means that on your first visit he should perform a thorough medical and dental history with a complete head and neck examination. Head and neck exam is usually done on the patient’s very first visit and every 6 months thereafter.
Your dentist should provide you with the adequate knowledge on how to take care of your teeth and perform good oral hygiene. These are the preventative measures in fighting against dental decay and other dental problems.
Your dentist should invite you back for regular check-ups. This will ensure that no problem will be left unchecked. The dental hygienist should perform oral prophylaxis or dental cleaning after every 6 months.
Your dentist should take x-rays more responsibly. Full series of X-rays should be taken no more than once every five years or so. Not taking any X-ray’s on the other hand is as bad as taking X-rays too often.
Your dentist and dental hygienist should practice proper care against infection. They should wear rubber gloves and a mask when treating their patients. Your dentist should be keen in explaining to you any sanitary procedures his clinic is implementing and or using to protect his patients and himself against unwanted infections. Finding a good dentist is not really so difficult only if you know how to handle it.
