Choosing the right dentist is essential for your health and happiness. When you’ve got a dentist who you feel comfortable with and safe to go and see with any dental problems you may be experiencing, looking after your teeth and mouth becomes so much easier. If you need to choose a new dentist for any reason, considering these factors will help you make the right decision.
Registration
First of all, make sure that your dentist is registered – all dentists, dental nurses, hygienists, technicians, and therapists must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) before they are legally allowed to practice in the UK. The GDC regulates all dental professionals in the UK, and you can use their website to check on a dentist and see whether or not they are registered and their qualifications. It provides a handy checklist of standards you can expect from your dentist, which can be useful if you need to know whether a dentist you’re considering matches up.
Qualifications
To achieve a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, a dentist first must complete five years of undergraduate training. Dental professionals must keep up with regular training sessions to ensure that their skills and techniques are always up to date. When choosing a dental practice, it can be worth looking for any evidence of extra qualifications, additional skills, and interests in special areas of dentistry. Some dentists have experience and skills in looking after nervous patients, some clinics such as Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry mainly deal with children, and others focus on performing different types of cosmetic dentistry.
Get to Know the Practice and Team
It can be useful to visit a prospective dentist practice before you register – this gives you a chance to get to know the team and get a feel for what the practice is like. Take the time to speak to your potential dentist beforehand; this will give you a good idea of whether they are professional, approachable, sympathetic, and patient. And, look around the practice – a good one like these dentists in Richmond should be clean, tidy, and well-organized.
Convenience
Another big deciding factor to consider when choosing a dentist is convenience. Check that the dental practice offers treatment hours that suit your needs – many dentists today will offer evening or weekend appointments for patients who struggle to make it during business hours. And, the location is important – if you can, choose a dentist close to your home or work to make it easier for you to attend regular check-ups and be seen on time.
Services Offered
Finally, look for a dentist that offers a wide range of services that you’ll find useful. If you’re considering cosmetic dentistry or orthodontic treatments in the future, it’s worth choosing a dentist who can accommodate these needs, as you’ll feel more comfortable having the treatment done by somebody who already knows you and who you’re familiar with.
Choosing the right dentist is an important step for your oral health.
