Choosing a dental practice is an important decision, so it’s crucial that you do your research and ask questions before making an appointment. If you’re looking for someone to provide your family’s dental care, you must take the time to find a dentist who will best serve you and your family. Here are some things to consider when searching for the right dentist:
What are you looking for in a dentist?
It’s essential to take some time to think about what you want from your dentist. Some questions to ask yourself are:
- What services do I need? If you want a general dentist (one who handles cavities, fillings and other treatments), that’s great!
- How much interaction do I want with my dentist? Do they prefer to write notes or talk face-to-face? Do they prefer email or snail mail? Do they communicate through text messages? And what about phone calls—could those be a useful way for us to communicate with each other as well?
- What personality do I like in a dentist’s office staff member? Are they friendly and outgoing, shy and reserved…or somewhere in between? There’s nothing wrong with wanting someone who matches your personality type—it just helps if we know what type that is, so we don’t waste time questioning whether we’ll get along with them!
Do you want a family dentist or an individual one?
When choosing a dentist, there are some differences between family dentists and individual practitioners.
Family dentistry is more affordable than individual dentistry. Individual practitioners often charge higher rates because they have more flexibility to work with you on the type of care you need. If your finances are limited, and you need someone who can work with insurance companies or offer payment plans, then going with a family dentist may be better for you.
Individual dentists are likely to specialize in specific areas of dental care (e.g., orthodontics). This means that if your child needs braces or another specialized procedure, an individual practitioner may be able to provide higher-quality treatment than a generalist family dentist could provide. Often, a family dentist will provide recommendations for specialists depending on the patient’s unique oral health needs.
We hope this article has helped you understand what’s important in selecting your dentist. Finding one who meets all your criteria will save you time and headaches later on and maximize the benefits of having regular checkups with them. If you’re located in Tavistock, get in touch with our family dentistry team at [email protected] or book your appointment today.