There are so many dental offices to choose from in a typical city. So how do you know which one is right for your family? Below, we look at three signs you chose the right dental clinic.
1. They are personable and treat you well
The foundation of any dental practice is community. Dental professionals in any office must foster healthy relationships with their patients. This means providing empathetic and individually-centred care for whole-person wellness. It also means spending time with each patient to get to know them on a personal level. By doing so, they open the door to providing the best possible dental care. They also enable you to trust them with your dental health.
A great dental clinic provides an office environment that welcomes you. Their offices are modern, clean, comfortable and attractive. Whenever possible, they provide state-of-the-art technology and modern dental services. They also maintain positive relationships with other local providers to whom they refer you for related treatment.
While all of these things sound like “fluff,” they matter. There is little worse than feeling scared, uncomfortable or not heard when visiting your dentist. Through a great environment and making you comfortable with their care, your dental office sets you up for good oral health. After all, you are more likely to visit a practice you like for follow-up care.
2. They support whole-person wellness
Dental care is not the only healthcare you need. Nor is oral health separate from your physical health. In fact, the two aspects of your health tie very closely together, as does treatment.
At the right dental clinic, your dentist asks about your physical health and medical history. They want to know what medications you take and how you are feeling at each visit. This is a positive approach to your overall well-being. By learning about your physical health and lifestyle habits, your dentist can treat you as an individual patient.
Did you know your dentist can find signs of physical health problems by examining your teeth? Early dementia, diabetes, heart issues, osteoporosis and gastroesophageal reflux disease all affect your oral health. Dental problems can also take a toll on your physical wellness, if not properly treated. Your mouth is where invading pathogens enter your body. Toxins come in this way, too. These spread throughout your body and cause both oral and physical health problems. Autoimmune disease, heart and lung disease, pregnancy problems and diabetes can all tie into untreated oral health problems, especially gum disease.
The right dental professionals treat your teeth, gums and other oral structures for your best overall health. They want you to enjoy the confidence of having a bright, healthy smile. To achieve this overall wellness goal, they create an individualized treatment plan with the services you want and need. This treatment plan works toward your best whole health.
3. Other patients show their love for the practice
Nothing speaks louder about any healthcare clinic’s quality than what other patients have to say about it. Find one that provides exceptional oral health care by checking out past patient reviews. Also, take the “temperature” of your chosen dental office through how other patients look in the waiting room. Do they seem relaxed and comfortable being there? Do they connect with the staff, and do staff members address them by name with a smile of recognition?
What patients think about the practice should be the top priority for any dental office. Spend some time looking into the professionals’ online reputation and what patients have to say. Of course, you have to remember that not all reviews will be “five stars,” even for the best dentists. But look for signs of consistent problems or poor responses to reviews by the staff. These are signs that a particular dental practice may not be the one for you.