The reasons to trust a dentist are very similar to why you trust your car mechanic or any other professional: most people do not have the education or expertise to evaluate a diagnosis. Unfortunately, not all dentists are trustworthy or ethical. Every year, dental fraud and scams take a huge bite out of the savings of unsuspecting patients.
SO HOW DO YOU KNOW WHICH DENTISTS TO TRUST AND WHICH ONES TO AVOID? THE FOLLOWING ARE THE TOP FIVE REASONS TO TRUST A DENTIST.
1. INDIVIDUAL CARE
Your dentist should not make you feel like just another set of teeth he/she has to look at. If you work with a professional and he/she makes you feel like your individual needs matter, then that is a dentist you can trust.
The dentist should make sure you are comfortable with the treatment, and he/she should follow up with you after any major procedure to ensure you are healing well. Your oral professional should see you as a person, and not just another patient, and the person should strive to make every aspect of your treatment a positive experience.
2. EXPLAINS EVERYTHING
A visit to the dentist is distressing enough without all the hard-to-pronounce terms and procedures. Your dentist should try to help you understand exactly what is wrong with your teeth. If you are supposed to choose a dental procedure, your oral expert should explain all your options to you and give you the pros and cons.
Before recommending a particular course of treatment, he/she should tell you why it is the best choice for your condition. A dentist you can trust should allow you to get a second opinion if you are still unsure about a major procedure, instead of trying to upsell it. If you leave a dentist’s office feeling confident about your understanding of why you need a particular procedure and the consequences of not completing treatment, then you can be sure that you are in good hands.
3. CONTINUING EDUCATION
Technology and information in the medical and dentistry fields are constantly changing. It is important to know that your dentist is willing to learn new things. You know you can trust your dentist if he/she is willing to learn the latest techniques so that he can provide the best possible care to his patients.
4. SUPPORTIVE STAFF
The dentist’s office should function like a well-oiled machine. Even if the dentist has a degree from a prestigious college hanging on the wall, the experience could still be negative if he/she does not have a professional hygienist or dental assistant. Everyone in the office should be an expert, and they should be willing to put the needs of their patients first.
5. WORD OF MOUTH
If you need to get a new a dentist you can trust, ask for recommendations from friends and family members. Anyone who has a trustworthy dentist will be quick to recommend him/her to a potential client. You can also research the dentist online to read the positive and negative reviews, and to see how the person respond to both praise and criticism.
WRAPPING UP
Finding a dentist who will put a smile on your face isn’t always easy. However, you have plenty of reasons to trust a dentist if he/she is attentive, supportive, understanding, and willing to explain the procedures and techniques to you.
