How to Find the Right Dentist for You—and Your Teeth

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A lot of people dread going to the dentist’s office. Perhaps they missed a day or two of brushing since their last check-up and are afraid that their D.D.S. (Dental Detective and Sleuth) will uncover their crimes. Perhaps they suspect it’s time for a root canal or a crown filling and are trying to delay the inevitable—aren’t we all? Or, maybe, they really need a good teeth-whitening service but have to save up before they can make that crucial investment into their smile. Frankly, there are as many reasons to avoid your local tooth doctor as there are brands of toothpaste but they all boil down to the same thing. If you’re dreading a trip to the dentist’s office, more than likely, it’s because you don’t have the right dentist for you—and your teeth.

Finding a new dentist seems like it would be a simple process—after all, there are at least a dozen dentists near you. Simply typing “dentists near me” into a search engine pulls up pages upon pages of results. Forget Starbucks and Timmy’s, there’s a dentist on every street corner! Sorting through all of those results in an effort to find a dentist that fits with your dental and oral hygiene needs can feel overwhelming.

You could simply try the dentist nearest to your location but they might not have the best reviews or offer all of the services you need. You could sort through them based on reviews alone but then, you’re not sure which reviews are reliable. Stopping by each individual dentist’s office with a screening questionnaire would be time-consuming and, if you’re honest with yourself, more than a little “extra”. Fortunately, there are some simple questions you can ask yourself to ensure that you find the right dentist for you… oh right, and your teeth.

 

How to Know if You Need a New Dentist

The first step in finding the right dentist is determining whether or not you’re truly comfortable with your current dentist. If you’re dragging your feet every time your semi-annual checkup rolls around, that’s a good indication that it’s time for a change. In addition, ask yourself these three easy-to-answer questions:

  1. Can my dentist answer all of my questions about my dental and oral health and hygiene?
  2. Is my dentist’s office clean and using up-to-date technology?
  3. Does my dentist make me feel confident about my smile?

If you answered “No” to any of those questions, then it’s definitely time to find a new dentist.

 

Questions to Ask When Choosing a New Dentist

Even if your current dentist isn’t right for you, that doesn’t mean that they’re a bad dentist or that they wouldn’t make a great fit for someone else. Dentists are like the smiles they treat every day: each one is unique. Ask yourself these questions to find the dentist that fits your teeth as snugly as braces.

  1. Do they accept your dental insurance or have payment options for those without it? It seems like a no-brainer but asking yourself this question first can reduce the number of dentists you’re considering down to something more manageable. Use this question to whittle down the pack. Similarly, take the time to ask any prospective dentists about the cost of their cosmetic services and products and determine whether or not their prices fit within your budget.
  2. What are their office hours? A dentist’s office that is only open during your work hours is about as useful as toothpaste without a toothbrush. Patients want to schedule their dentist appointments when it’s most convenient for them. A dentist with a flexible schedule is a good contender.
  3. Are they located near me? Location, location, location. That rule doesn’t just apply to real estate but to dentists as well. Finding a dentist that is near to your home or work—or wherever you spend most of your time—is definitely a consideration.
  4. What type of services and products do they offer? It’s easy to think you’ve found the right dentist after you’ve answered the previous three questions. But does the dentist you’ve settled on offer the type of sedation dentistry you need? Do they offer a wide range of smile correcting technologies? Not all dentist’s offices offer the same range or type of products and services so it’s good to know what your new dentist is—or isn’t—equipped to do for you.
  5. What happens in an emergency? We all hope it never happens but emergencies are out of our control. Finding a dentist who can respond in a timely manner to any and all dental emergencies is key.

 

Dawson Dental is Here When You’re Ready

At Dawson Dental, we pride ourselves on being adaptive to our clients’ needs, both collectively and individually. For us, your smiles are a priority. With just over 30 locations across southern Ontario—from our clinics in Toronto to our offices in Barrie—Dawson Dental is guaranteed to have a dental clinic or two near you. We offer a broad range of dental services and products to cover all of your dental and oral hygiene needs including emergency care so that you don’t have to worry in the event of any mishaps. Nothing would make us happier than the opportunity to be your new dental care provider. Contact us today or schedule a virtual consultation and book your first of many visits!