SHARES
Picking the right dentist can be fraught with anxiety.
“What if the dentist judges me for my dental condition?”
“Will the treatment be painful?”
“If I run into treatment complications, will my dentist be there for me?”
“Will I be able to afford treatment?”
These are common concerns when looking for a new dentist.
9 Steps to Help You in Picking the Right Dentist
Here are nine insider tips to help you navigate beyond the shiny dental clinic websites and drill down into what makes or breaks the dentist-patient relationship.
1. Get recommendations from friends/family
People who are close to you are better placed to advise you if a dental practice will suit you since they will know your preferences and idiosyncrasies. If someone you know has recently had dental work done and you like the results (especially for cosmetic dentistry or orthodontics/braces) then it is a good idea to seek out the practitioner who performed the treatment. If your dentist shares your aesthetic tastes, achieving your desired treatment outcome is more likely.
Online reviews can be helpful but publicity laws in Singapore restrict their utility. Reviews provide information about the way a practice is run and other intangible aspects (waiting time, the attitude of the dentist etc). Searching for a particular concern or procedure can help to narrow the number of potential practices you may be considering since different dental practices have different strengths. For example, a clinic focused on adult cosmetic dentistry may not have the optimal set up for children’s dentistry.
2. Expect to pay for your consultation
You are paying for the time and expertise when you consult a professional in any field; dentistry is no exception. Free consultations show that insufficient time has been devoted to the consultation. There may be pressure on the dentist to get patients to agree to treatment quickly in order to make up the cost of giving away the consultation for free. The consultation should feel relaxed and you should not be afraid to ask questions, even if you think the questions sound very elementary. You should not feel like you need to “impress”. You may feel that if you go into the consultation very well-prepared, the dentist will be less likely to pull the wool over your eyes. Being well-prepared never hurts, but be discerning about where you source your information, especially online. Your dentist will be happy to verify the information that you have found.
3. Ask to see before/after pictures of similar cases
Most dentists are extremely proud of their work and will be happy to show you cases that they have treated successfully.
4. Does the dentist ask YOU lots of questions?
Your dentist can only be successful if they know what you want and your expectations of treatment. Never presume or assume when picking the right dentist for you.
5. Is the dentist happy for you to ask as many questions as you need?
Do you feel comfortable asking questions about the treatment process and fees? Look for second opinions if there are unresolved questions. Poor outcomes and dissatisfaction can usually be traced to inadequate communication. You should feel comfortable enough with your dentist to ask questions before and during treatment.
6. Do you feel rushed into accepting treatment?
Most dentistry is elective, apart from emergency treatments to manage severe toothache or infections. So your dentist should factor in enough time for you to decide on the recommendations and decide on the course of action.
7. Is the practice set up for managing dental anxiety?
If you are anxious or fearful, address concerns before commencing treatment. Hence your dentist can help by booking extra time to achieve profound anaesthesia or arranging for sedation to make the appointment go as comfortably and smoothly as possible.
8. Accessibility
If your treatment requires multiple visits (such as braces), ensuring the clinic is accessible will help you avoid missing appointments and prolonging treatment unnecessarily.
9. Price is not everything
Doing quality work takes time and effort. For your dentist to have a sustainable practice, their treatment fees will tend to reflect their experience and training.
While price does not always equal quality, excellent dentistry is never offered at cut-rate prices.
Further Reading: Afraid of your Dentist? No Fear, Help is here: Ask your Dentist
This article is contributed by Elite Dental Group.
For More Information, contact Elite Dental Group.
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If you need to consult a dental surgeon:
Find, Call or Book an appointment with a Dental Surgeon in Malaysia, on GetDoc
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The information on this site is not professional advice nor is it to replace personal consultation with a physician, dentist, pharmacist, or other health care professional. The reader should not disregard medical advice or delay seeking it because of information published here.
by Jemima Joseph
Using words to create communities. Intrinsically passionate about people, music, and the arts. View all articles by Jemima Joseph.
