Find A Dentist For You
9 Questions To Find The Right Dentist
Do Your Research
It can be difficult to find a dentist that you can trust and feel comfortable with.
Dentistry is usually expensive because it requires a high investment to provide safe and effective treatment. Choosing the right dentist for you is more important than finding the cheapest possible service.
It pays to do your research because cheap dentistry may result in bad dentistry and you may pay more in the long term. Here are nine important factors to consider when finding the right dentist for you.
Ask These Questions
1. Experience
Does your dentist have experience in the procedure they are performing for you? Are they providing you with realistic expectations?
2. Communication
Is your dentist able to communicate the disease process in your mouth, the treatment options and alternatives, the long term prognosis and costs?
3. Infection Control
Does your practice perform tracking of critical instruments? Do they use a B cycle autoclave?
4. Ethics
Does your dentist explain the rationale for treatment? Does your dentist review your x-rays with you and/or show you intra-oral photographs?
5. Emergency
Can you be seen quickly and prioritised if you need emergency dental treatment?
6. Continuing education
Is your dentist committed to continuing education and furthering their skills and knowledge?
7. Minimal Intervention
Does your dentist understand the process of remineralisation and reversing early signs of disease rather than ‘extension for prevention’.
8. Practice accreditation
Practice accreditation is optional but shows that your dental practice meets the requirements and standards of the Australian Dental Association.
9. Care
Does your dentist take time to assess and treat you or do you feel treatment is rushed and non-systematic?
Smilesavers™ Charter
We created the Smilesavers™ Charter to provide some certainty to the public that when they see a dentist in our Network they can feel comfortable they will be treated in a safe environment with effective treatment.
All dentists must adhere to the quality assurance undertakings in the Smilesavers™ Charter in order to be part of the Smilesavers™ Network.
Remember, any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
