Prospective dental patients often struggle with the process of choosing the right dentist for their unique needs. It can be a time-consuming process! Taking your time and finding a good provider can make all the difference in both your oral and overall health. In our recent white paper, “5 Questions to Ask Your Potential New Patient,” we address some common questions that patients should ask when screening a new provider. But first, we thought it would be helpful to share a little background on why finding the right provider is so important in the first place.
The Challenge of Finding a Good Dentist
Patients searching for a dental provider usually rely on one of three options when selecting a dentist:
A Good Option: Asking friends and family for a referral. This can be beneficial because most people will happily recommend dentists they believe are providing good care. The caveat here is that everyone’s concept of skilled care can vary dramatically. Additionally, many patients do not realize all the ways that dental care can impact their complete health. This is why we created our guide with helpful questions like, “Do you only examine my teeth?”
An Okay Option: Selecting a dentist based on a brief internet search. The positive side of using an internet search is that you can use the dentist’s website to answer some of the key screening questions without having to call the office. You can also look over reviews on Google and get a feel for how your dentist treats new and existing patients. However, it is always a good idea to dig a little deeper with a call or email to the office.
A Poor Option: Randomly picking a dentist based on coupons or introductory offers. As we will address in further detail below, coupons and offers should not be the only reason that you select a new dentist. Saving money in the short-term could lead to much more expensive costs later if the dentist offers minimal care without consistent follow-up.
While all three of these options will ultimately lead to you finding a dentist, they won’t necessarily lead you to finding the right dentist. Let’s look at why that matters.
Why Does Choosing the Right Dentist Matter?
Choosing the right dentist does make a difference in the health of your mouth and the overall health of your body. It can be easy to be tempted by coupons or introductory offers when deciding which dentist to visit. We get it! Saving money wherever you can is really important, which is why Sierra Smiles offers options like our Smile Advantage plan to provide our patients with annual dental savings. We know that every penny counts. However, you cannot save money at the expense of your smile. Here are just a few reasons that selecting the right dentist is so important.
The Right Dentist Will …
Focus on Your Complete Health
Your mouth is the gateway to your body and it has an impact on your complete health. Your dental provider should treat your teeth and gums with the intention of improving your oral health and helping you improve your overall health. Additionally, your dentist should also be focused on a solid maintenance plan that focuses on ongoing wellness. We refer to this as “preventative dentistry” because it is a proactive approach to protecting your health. Last, your dentist should be alerting you to solutions for sleep and airway issues. They should educate you on topics like how your dental health can impact pregnancy, cognitive functioning, and other areas of the body.
Offer a Variety of Restorative and Cosmetic Dental Procedures
Not every cosmetic or restorative dental option will work for every patient. Your provider should be informed and educated about modern advancements in cosmetic dentistry. This allows them to implement the best new practices in their dental office. The right dentist should be able to address your cosmetic dentistry needs using tools and treatments that work best for your unique needs.
Help You Feel Safe in the Dental Chair
Fear of the dentist is one of the top reasons that many patients neglect routine dental care. They worry about the expense of care and the potential for painful procedures. At Sierra Smiles, we work to help patients alleviate their fears. Then, so they can get the care they desperately need. Whether this means using non-surgical therapies for periodontal disease or utilizing pre-treatment medications to reduce anxiety, your provider should absolutely care about your fear of the dentist. That way they can do everything they can to mitigate it. A regular patient is a healthy patient!
Learn More About Selecting a Qualified Dental Provider
Sierra Smiles Dentists have received extensive training in Implants, Cosmetic Dentistry, Airway, and Cognitive Health. Our dentists hold membership in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Academy for Oral Systemic Health, Academy of Laser Dentistry, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, American Dental Association, Nevada Dental Association and the Nevada Academy of General Dentistry.
For more great tips on selecting the right dentist for you, download our free white paper, “5 Questions to Ask Your Potential New Dentist.” In it, we touch on many of the ideas discussed in this article and provide useful questions to ask prospective dentists before committing to a practice. You can also use our guide to help you determine if your current dentist is meeting your needs.
If you would like to learn more about how Sierra Smiles can become your perfect match for dental care, give us a call or fill out our online form. We would love to show you all the ways our dental practice can help you focus on oral health for complete health.