Teeth beware – or how to find a good dentist.

Finding a good dentist at each new duty location has always been a daunting task . For the most part I have done well, for the one time that I didn’t I paid -and still am paying- dearly for it. So when Adrienne Conant commented on one of my blog posts  recently I contacted her. After a few emails back and forth she agreed to publish her ‘dental expertise’ for you.

 A brief background, I’m a stay at home mom of a 2 ½ year old son and another son due August 1^st. Before my husband and I started a family, I was working in a dental office. I’ve worked in dental offices since I was 15, working my work up the chain. I started as a scrub, just someone who stocked rooms with supplies, cleaned instruments and kept everything clean, then I was a dental assistant, and eventually worked my way through to the front office, and eventually at 22 was an office manager. I’ve worked in 3 different offices, and have worked with many different people in the field of dentistry.  I’m telling you this not to toot my own horn or anything like that, but so you know when you read this, these aren’t all “just” my opinion, it’s really how things are and work in a dental office, so you know what to look for in your search for the best dental care.

First of all, the first thing you want to do at a new place is to ask people you meet who their dentist is, do they like them and why. Word of mouth is the BEST advertisement for a dentist, or really any healthcare professional. If you hear the same name more than 2 or 3 times, see if they have a web-site, or a phonebook ad, and see what services they offer. Some dental offices don’t do pediatric dentistry, which is something you may want to know if you have children under the age of 10. So be sure to do your research, the office may have good word of mouth, but it may not be what you’re looking for either.

Second, when you do decide on an office to call have a list of questions you want to ask, for example: Do you accept my insurance? Are you a preferred provider for my insurance (this is important as if affects the amount of money out of pocket for you)? Do you see children under the age of ___? Are my co-pays due at the time of service, or after the insurance makes their payment? How far out does the Doctor usually schedule? How far in advance does the hygienist schedule? Does the Doctor refer out for major work such as extractions or root canals?  A good office will answer your questions without making you feel rushed, or like you’re a nuisance. A good office genuinely cares about the patients, even if you are “interviewing” them on the phone. This is your first impression of the office! If you feel like they are blowing you off at this point, it may be a good idea to keep looking. The front office staff is trained to be a certain way on the phone, they are trained to be warm and friendly regardless of what is going on in the office itself. Now, do not mistake being put on hold for a minute or two as rude J .

Third, when you get to the office, a large part of this is about the front office. These are the people who will coordinate your appointments, your insurance, who will squeeze you into an impossibly busy day because you have a toothache that kept you up all night, they are also the first and last people you will see when you are there. You want them to be friendly, and make eye contact with you when speaking. They need to validate your presence in the office. Another part of this first impression is how the office looks. Is it clean? Is it well kept?  If you ever walk into a dental office and your first impression is “ewww. . .this is gross” it’s a pretty good bet the rest of the office and patient rooms are in the same state. 

 Fourth, you finally meet the dentist! Is he friendly? Does he address your concerns? Does he point things out on your x-rays while telling you what treatment you need? Does he take time to explain, in plain terms what is wrong? In regards to treatment, does he give more than one option? Now, let me explain that last question; there is ALWAYS more than 1 treatment option. Any dentist who tells you otherwise, please be wary of. A dentist who offers conservative (least invasive treatment, and usually best for the patient) will always give you an option A, and an option B.  This is important, that you have options. Not only because it is just good practice to give options, but prices will invariably differ between the two options and you may only be able to afford one or the other. You may be more comfortable with one over the other. A good dentist will give you the options, the pros and cons of each option, and will have someone (usually a front office staff) go over the costs of both options with you.  Also, a good dentist, and a good front office will not dismiss you feeling something is wrong. If a tooth is bothering you, they work collectively to try and resolve the problem, and they don’t stop until you’re happy.

Fifth, when you find an office that does all of this; that goes above and beyond for you and your family, be sure to recommend them to your friends. Send a Christmas card or a Thank You card if they’ve straightened out a huge insurance mess for you or came in on a weekend or stayed late for your 10 year old that broke his front tooth . Good dentists are hard to find, and good patients are sometimes few and far between. Getting a card or a note that acknowledges the hard work they put in, makes them want to do better, (and just might) get you that privileged appointment time with the doctor/hygienist, or a discount off a product they have etc. . .