Select a Toronto Dentist
February 8th, 2008 by admin
There are many factors you should consider when selecting a family dentist. While many select one based on convenience, yellow pages, location, or referral from a family member or friend, you should also consider the following when selecting a dentist for a long term health care provider relationship.
- How long has the dentist been in practice?
- Will they work with my insurance company to maximize my dental benefits?
- Is the dentist a member of the Dental Association?
- Do they practice curent infection control procedures at their office?
- Am I offered different options for treatment?
- Is the dentist available for after-hours emergency coverage?
- Are the facilities neat and clean?
- Is the referral source one that can be trusted?
- Does the dentist do a variety of procedures “in-office” or will I be referred out for many procedures?
- What hours are they open?
- Do they treat children?
- Does the dentist involve the patient in the treatment planning phase?
- Do you need special assistance or care such as wheelchair access, nitrous oxide, pre-medication, etc.?
In addition, you should consider that there are eight types of dental specialists:
Endodontist
Deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease and injuries of the internal soft tissue of the tooth (root canals).
Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeon
Treats injuries and deformities, extracts teeth and performs surgery of the mouth, jaw and face.
Orthodontist
Prescribes and places corrective devices, such as braces, to align teeth and improve health and appearance.
Pediatric Dentist
Specializes in the dental health of children from birth to adolescence.
Periodontist
Treats diseases of the gums.
Prosthodontist
Designs and fits bridge-work and dentures.
Public Health Specialist
Coordinates and administers community-wide dental care programs, including public education on the prevention of dental disease.
Oral Pathologist
Researches the causes, development and effects of oral diseases.
As you can see, selecting a dentist who meets your needs and expectations is a decision that’s too important to make without careful consideration. When you need a dentist, you want a professional you can trust. Don’t select a dentist on the basis of cost or advertisements alone.
This entry was posted on Friday, February 8th, 2008 at 9:52 pm and is filed under Implant Dentistry. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
