Finding A Good Dentist
Are you looking for a new dentist? New to the area and need a check up? Finding a good dentist with the qualifications and services you need can take a bit of initial legwork but it’s well worth spending a bit of time before committing to any appointments.
When looking for a dentist, each person has different needs and preferences. Some people may be looking for a dental clinic with friendly staff and dentists who can take care of routine cleanings for the whole family and guide them through the various challenges growing children experience in their mouths. Some may be wanting to create their dream smile and are searching for the best cosmetic dentist in the city. Luckily, Calgary has a wide variety of options available to choose from.
Whether you’re looking for a dental clinic for the whole family, or one that specializes in a particular area of dentistry, here are some tips on finding that perfect fit.
What is the best way to find an experienced dentist?
The best way to find an experienced dentist is to ask your friends, family, colleagues and/or neighbours if they have any recommendations. Consider the type of dental needs you and your family have, the ideal location and which skills and policies matter most to you so you can weigh those against the recommendations you receive from those you trust.
Consider the following:
- Which qualifications your ideal dentist should have?
- Do you prefer a location closer to home, school or work?
- Do they accept your insurance?
- Do they direct bill?
- Do you require a family dentist?
- Can they treat patients of all ages?
- Are you anxious about dental care? Do they have sedation dentistry options?
- Do you get a general sense their values are compatible with yours?
Typically you want a great dentist to have a few years of practicing dentistry under their belt to ensure they have established their strengths and learned from experience. Look at how long the dental clinic has been in business and ask the dentist in a meet and greet how long they have been practicing. You can also ask questions such as what they feel their strengths are and the biggest surprises they had when moving into regular practice.
Location is everything when you’re trying to get to appointments around a busy schedule. Determine if it’s easiest for you to have a dentist located close to work for lunch time appointments, close to home for evening appointments or near school to accommodate children having to leave for appointments.
Regular cleanings and dental check ups are typically covered by your insurance provider and it makes the process much easier if the dental clinic you are going to will direct bill your company. Many clinics provide this information on their website. If not, a quick call will help you to find out.
Every stage of life brings new needs and challenges for your oral health. Childhood is a time for significant growth, development and change. It may require a dentist that has pediatric experience to ensure your children get the most thorough care and you get the best support available. Pregnancy can also cause a lot of oral health changes, as can the development of chronic disease and aging. To ensure you get the best care at each stage of life, you may want to look for a family dentist and one that has experience caring for patients across a variety of ages and needs.
Dental anxiety is fairly common these days and many clinics offer sedation dentistry to help you to get the dental care you need in the most accessible way possible for you. Dentists who offer sedation dentistry are trained to administer the treatment and to help support you with empathy and tools such as deep breathing and a calming manner. If you have anxiety around visiting the dentist, look for a clinic that offers an empathetic approach to sedation dentistry and anxiety management.
Lastly, you want to get a sense if the dentists’ values are similar to yours. Some dentists, such as those at Ambiance Dental, believe that the best dentistry is as minimally invasive as possible to preserve natural tooth structure wherever possible. If this is important to you, you’ll have found a great fit with us.
Visit our Team page to learn more about our dentists or contact us today to set up a meet and greet appointment.