Overview
The blog post "How to Find the Right Dentist For You" on Selkirk Crossing Dental Centre's website offers a comprehensive guide to help readers find a dentist that best meets their unique needs. The post emphasizes that finding the right dentist is not about seeking the best one out there, but rather about finding one who can provide the type of care you need and with whom you feel most comfortable. It outlines various strategies for finding potential candidates, such as asking friends, family, and other healthcare providers for recommendations, and reading online reviews. The post also discusses key factors to consider when evaluating different dentists, including location, specialties, scheduling procedures, technology, and staff. Towards the end, it encourages readers to contact Selkirk Crossing Dental Centre if they're looking for a new dentist in Selkirk, Manitoba.
Finding the right dentist can feel a bit like finding the right partner. There are a lot of great dentists out there, just like there are a lot of great people. It’s not so much about finding the best dentist, as there are lots of great dentists. Rather, it is about finding the dentist who is most able to provide the type of care you need — and the one who makes you feel most comfortable while they care for your teeth.
Keep reading to find some helpful strategies to help you find the right dentist. You’ll also discover some key factors to consider when comparing various dentists and dental practices.
How to Find A Dentist Near You
First, you will want to browse your options and make a short list of three to five dentists who you think might be good candidates. Here are some ways to find those initial candidates.
Talk to Friends
Tell your friends, coworkers, and family members that you are looking for a new dentist. Ask who they see, and ask whether they would recommend that dentist to others. You can ask some more in-depth questions, too, if you like. Ask what procedures they have had done, how long they’ve been with their dentist, and if there is anything about the dental practice they are not happy with.
Ask Other Providers
The next time you see your primary physician, chiropractor, or other medical professional, tell them that you are looking for a new dentist. See who they recommend in the area. While these other medical professionals are not experts in dentistry, they do have good knowledge of medicine overall. They may know who would be a good fit for your unique needs. Some doctors and other medical professionals even share a building or other resources with dentists, which will really help them point you in the right direction.
Read Reviews
Search the internet for dentists in your area, and then start reading some reviews. As you read reviews, keep in mind that people are more likely to write a review if they have had a bad experience. Read those negative reviews, and see if they truly are negative for legitimate reasons. For instance, if a patient left a negative review because the toothpaste the dentist used didn’t taste good, that’s a review you can feel free to disregard. On the other hand, if there is a negative review because the patient had to wait a month for an appointment for a bad toothache, that’s something to consider, especially if you want a dentist who can make prompt appointments.
Read the positive reviews, too. Does the reviewer note things that you would also like to experience from your dentist? That’s a sign that you may have found a dentist to add to your list of candidates.
Qualities to Look for in a Dentist
Once you have a short list of dentists who sound like good candidates, it’s time to narrow down your options. This may involve calling the dental offices to ask some questions and get more information. It may also involve browsing their websites for more details. Some people even like to visit the dental offices in person and take a look around. Regardless of how you seek out your information, here are the qualities you should be considering as you do.
Location
Is the dental office in a location you can easily access? It does not necessarily need to be close to your home. If the dentist is a few minutes from your workplace, you can just schedule your appointments for days when you work. If you should ever end up with a cavity, an abscessed tooth, or another problem that demands urgent attention, you won’t want to drive too far to the dentist.
Specialties
Not everyone needs to see a specialty dentist. Many people just need a general dentist to do regular checkups, fill the occasional cavity, and make sure their teeth are in good health. However, if you have an ongoing dental condition, you may want to see a dentist who has specialized training in that field.
For example, if you have a history of gum disease, you may want to see a dentist who is a periodontist. These dentists specialize in treating problems with the gums and other soft oral tissues. If you have a history of TMJ pain, you may want to see a dentist who specializes in treating orofacial pain. And if you have needed many root canals in the past, it may be wise to see an endodontist. These are dentists who specialize in treating the inner tissues of the teeth. They do a lot of root canals and can handle even the most complicated ones.
Scheduling Procedures
Look into how each dentist handles their scheduling. Some dentists still have patients call to make appointments, which is totally fine if you’re comfortable with this. Other dentists have embraced technology and now accept appointments via an app or an online scheduling service. This can be really convenient since it lets you visually look at the calendar and schedule an appointment. It’s all about what you prefer.
Also ask how far out a dentist typically books their appointments. If you have healthy teeth and are really only looking to book cleanings and checkups, a dentist who is booking a few weeks out should be fine. But if you have more ongoing dental issues and often need an appointment in days, a dentist with a shorter waiting period is likely ideal.
Technology
See what technology the dentist has implemented into their practice. There is a lot out there these days! Some dentists are using new technology to make same-day crowns in their offices, rather than sending this work out to dental labs. This may be a good choice if you think you’ll need a crown sometime soon. Other dentists are using lasers to do cleanings and various parts of the filing process. If you hate dental drills, a dentist who uses lasers may be a great fit.
Staff
Who does the dentist have on staff, and how do they make you feel? Is their receptionist friendly and welcoming when you call? If you stop by the office to visit, are the staff open to having you there and willing to show you around?
If you consider all of the factors above, you should be able to narrow down your short list of dentists to just one. Then, all that’s left to do is for you to make an appointment with your new dentist in Manitoba. See how it goes, and go from there. Chances are, you’ll be happy with your choice because you took your time and did your research. If you’re looking for a new dentist in Selkirk Manitoba, feel free to contact us to schedule a visit with us.