Deciding on a Dentist Because of Price, Availability or Location
When looking for a dentist, people should not give primary importance to the low price being offered, location that is near their home/work, or immediate availability.
The first step to consider is the training undergone by the dentist and staff, plus the ability to provide high quality preventative dental care, and to treat diseases/decay in the advanced state.
Some of the important qualities to consider are:
Dentist Training
Patients should ask about a dentist's experience and training in terms of the procedures desired or needed.
Comfort
They should inquire about the amenities, and know whether they can make treatment more comfortable - for example with nitrous oxide or similar advanced technology.
Fees and Payment Options
They should find out if dental insurance is accepted, and how much should be paid out of their pocket.
Recommendations
Patients should check out dental office reviews. They could request for a list of dentists within their vicinity, who are members of ADA, other professional associations or a local dental society. They could also read online reviews of other patients.
Consultation
Once patients have a list of potential dentists, they could contact or visit their office prior to making an appointment. They could ask if the dentist is a member of a renowned association like ADA, and find out which of the dental procedures are performed in-office or out. They should know how early they need to schedule checkups and cleanings.
On their first visit, they can inspect the office and see if it is clean, tidy and orderly. Are the staff members friendly? Do they carefully keep a patient's dental and medical history? Is the office child friendly? Does the front desk receptionist attend to patients immediately? Is he/she respectful?
Other Things to Keep in Mind:
Does the dentist and staff have good communication skills?
Do patients feel at ease when asking the dentist questions?
Can the recommendations/referrals of the dentist be trusted?
Is there a Digital radiography that lessens unnecessary radiation exposure in the office?
Does the office have advanced technologies, like a laser, to find cavities, digital radiography and/or intraoral cameras to detect existing problems in the mouth?
Does the office guarantee its services, as well as promote optimum dental health, and not treat patients like customers that come and go?
Selecting a Dentist Because of the Very Low Advertised Price
No one would jump out of an airplane using a cheap parachute. When patients like to maintain their teeth, they should not entrust their health to dentists who have nothing special to offer but discounted services.
3 Reasons why this can backfire:
It is like walking into a trap and being scammed when the dentist offers a very low price without revealing the hidden costs until the patient sits in the dental chair.
Usually, low price means minimal care that can make a patient more prone to decay and disease.
More often than not, patients get poor care from a dentist who lacks experience and training.
Why trust a cheap advertisement that will let patients spend more than usual for services desired or needed, when they can go for trained and experienced dentists who think about what is best for their patients.
