Finding a dentist who will cater to the individual needs of each family member can be a challenging task. You need to find a licensed and qualified dentist that you and your family will feel comfortable with. It is particularly important for your children, as they need an understanding and patient dentist who knows how to ease their fears.
With so many options to choose from, your decision may easily become overwhelming. Remember that not all dental care providers offer comparable services. Here are some factors to consider when searching for a family dentist. This will help you narrow down your options and select the right dentist for your family.
Experience and Qualification
Try to find out what level of experience and qualification your dentist has. This kind of information can usually be found online. Just take the time to visit your dentist’s website. This is very important, especially when you need specialty procedures such as restorative dental treatments.
You want to choose someone who has extensive experience in family dentistry. Additionally, your dentist should be able to treat patients of all ages — from young children to elderly people — and address different dental needs. You also want to ensure that your dentist can diagnose and prevent any conditions that can impact the oral health of your family.
Services
Look for a family dentist who provides comprehensive services. You certainly don’t want to waste your time going to one dental office for cavity treatment, another place for teeth cleaning, and visit an orthodontist for an orthodontic service somewhere else. To save your time, choose a dental office that offers a wide variety of services.
Make sure the dentist offers services your family is looking for while handling other dental needs that are likely to arise down the road. While professional teeth cleanings are without a doubt important, your potential family dentist should also provide other dental services as well. This will ensure that everyone in your family gets dental care at one location.
Reviews and Testimonials
It is always a good idea to look at testimonials and reviews for the dentist you want to choose for your family. Check a few websites (like Zocdoc, HealthGrades, and Yelp) for reviews rather than talking to the dentist. This is a good way to find out what other people think about a practice.
With so many dental websites out there, reading reviews and patient testimonials can be a tedious task though. It takes a lot of time and effort, however, this can help you find the right family dentist with a good track record. If your friends or relatives have already visited a certain dental office, they can also give you their opinion.
Office Atmosphere and Culture
Look for a practice with an inviting, warm atmosphere when choosing a family dentist. This is particularly important for families with young children. It is imperative to choose an office with a relaxing environment for the little ones.
In addition to children, you’ll want your whole family feels comfortable. That said, pay close attention to the following things when visiting an office:
- The overall feel of the dental office
- The office culture
- The comfort of the waiting room
- The cleanliness of the office
- Staff members – make sure they are accommodating and friendly
- Check if the dental practice is kid-friendly
Technology in Place
Investing in up-to-date procedures and the latest technologies is a great way to improve the patient experience. Like in other medical fields, technology plays an important role in dentistry. The advanced equipment can make it easier to identify and address hidden health problems. This will ensure that your family receives the best preventative treatment.
So, try to find out how the dental office is equipped when looking for a family dentist. Check if the practice offers dental services like rotary endodontics and Invisalign braces.
Here are some new technologies in dentistry:
- Superior Visualization
- Advanced Dental Turbines
- A Bluetooth Toothbrush
- Fixed-Hybrid Implant Bridge
- Digital Dental Impressions
- 3D Printing
Accessibility and Location
Obviously, you will look for the nearest dental offices. Be flexible about distance though, as the best family dentists could be located a bit further away from your home.
If you have an elderly person in your family, make sure the office is accessible and arranged with seniors in mind. It should cater to older people in particular. For example, if the dental office is situated on the fourth floor, then check if there is an appropriate elevator in place.
The Takeaway
Choosing a dentist is a time-consuming process you need to undergo carefully. You want to entrust your family’s dental health to an experienced dentist. A dentist is supposed to provide the highest quality of dental care for the whole family and address dental problems at all stages of life. This will ensure the good oral health of your family.
After attending McMaster University to obtain his Health Science undergrad degree, Dr. Christopher Sims made his way to Toronto to complete his DDS degree at the University of Toronto. But his education didn’t stop there.
He’s completed a number of additional courses to best serve his patients and be able to educate them too. No matter your age or dental condition Dr. Sims can assist you in a professional manner and loves answering any of your questions or concerns.
Dr. Sims grew up in Grimsby playing basketball, so he’s always up for talking about the Raptors! He’s also a football fan – go Buffalo Bills! In his free time, if he’s not watching a basketball game or football game, you’ll likely find him working out, cooking (got any new recipe ideas?), and of course, spending time with his amazing family.
