Strong oral hygiene habits are not a substitute for having regular check-ups and cleanings by a dentist. It is important to find a dentist who focuses on oral health and general dentistry when looking to make a dental check-up. By scheduling routine cleanings, concerns with cavities and gum disease will not go unnoticed or unaddressed.
Rather than spending hours hunting for a dentist, there are several ways you can streamline the search. These four ideas are some of the easiest to do.
While dental credentials are not the same as primary medical care, it is common for members of the local medical community to know one another. Though the manner, personality, and location of a referral may not be right for every individual, a professional opinion is a good start when trying to find a dentist. Consider asking the local pharmacist or personal doctor for a referral on where to schedule a dental check-up.
Friends and family are often the first places to start when looking for recommendations for healthcare providers. Though dental check-ups, regardless of the practice or provider, tend to include the same general services, be prepared for a variety of opinions. The relationship between a patient and dentist should be built on trust and respect, and one poor experience may tarnish that relationship. Take each story or experience into consideration, but do not count out a dentist on one incident alone.
Social media and the internet are some of the more popular ways people nowadays narrow down a new dental care provider. In addition to reading a biography of the dentist or seeing pictures of the office, it is possible to find out what the general public feels about a particular provider. Reading through the review of current or former patients or checking on the ratings for the practice brings more information to light than a singular experience of a family member.
Patients have a personal responsibility to conduct good research and ask a lot of questions before choosing a dentist for a routine check-up. Referrals and opinions can narrow down the list, but asking questions can gain the reassurance needed to make a final decision. When choosing a dentist, consider the following questions:
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Find a Dentist in Forest Hills, NY
As with any healthcare provider, it takes time to get to know a dentist and the services offered. Being thorough in the initial efforts to find a dentist leads to a more positive relationship and comfortable experience when scheduling a routine check-up.
Request an appointment or call Metro Smiles Dental at 718-841-9591 for an appointment in our Forest Hills office.
According to Today's RDH, the first dental hygiene program began in 1913. Now, most patients look to find a dentist who offers preventive cleanings, also known as prophylactic cleanings. The popularity of this service is due to its effectiveness in preventing gum disease and detecting diseases in the early stages. With an overall shift toward…
When one is looking to find a dentist, it is important to understand the basic dental procedures that may be recommended. Dental fillings are one of the most frequently used restorations used in dentistry to treat cavities. There are two common types used, including silver and tooth-colored fillings. To make informed treatment decisions, patients should…
When a toothache occurs, the resulting pain can seem overwhelming, and it is important to find a dentist who can help right away. A toothache may signal a cavity or decay that affects the tooth’s nerves to cause a dull or throbbing pain. Those who do not have a regular dentist should find one quickly…
Dental restorations have been used for thousands of years. In fact, a 2012 article published by The New York Times details the discovery of a 6,500-year-old human jawbone. Considered the earliest evidence of dental fillings, it had beeswax in one tooth, which researchers believe was to ease the pain of a crack. These days, restorations…
Dental anxiety affects millions of people in the U.S. This anxiety can often prevent patients from getting treatments that can keep oral diseases like tooth decay and gum disease away or prevents them from getting worse. Dental phobias can be the result of previous bad experiences with dentists, or they can be caused by a…