Cosmetic Dentistry Blog at My Dentist USA

What should I look for when choosing a dentist?

There are several key factors to consider in your search for a new dentist. Perhaps most important is whether or not the dentist is a member of national, industry accepted dental associations, like the American Dental Association (ADA). ADA members are highly educated and pre-screened, ensuring a normative standard of care and experience.

The American Dental Association has developed some standard guidelines to keep in mind while you're looking for a new dentist:

First and foremost, you may want to consider several dentists before making your decision. During your first visit, you should be able to determine if this is the right dentist for you. Consider the following:

• Is the appointment schedule convenient for you?
  
  
• Is the office easy to get to from your home or job?
  
  
• Does the office appear to be clean, neat and orderly?
  
  
• Was your medical and dental history recorded and placed in a permanent file?
  
  
• Does the dentist explain techniques that will help you prevent dental health problems? Is dental health instruction provided?
  
  
• Are special arrangements made for handling emergencies outside of office hours? (Most dentists make arrangements with a colleague or emergency referral service if they are unable to tend to emergencies.)
  
  
• Is information provided about fees and payment plans before treatment is scheduled?
  
  
• Is your dentist a member of the ADA? All ADA member dentists voluntarily agree to abide by the high ethical standards reflected in the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct as a condition of their membership.

You and your dentist are partners in maintaining your oral health. Take time to ask questions and take notes if that will help you remember your dentist's advice.

For more information on how to choose a dentist and frequently asked questions about procedures, visit My Dentist USA today!

Labels: ada, Certified Dentist Search, Searching for a Dentist

 

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