Finding the right dentist for you and your family is a process. It starts with a bit of soul searching. You have to know what you want before you go looking for it. Dentistry is a very personalized service. There are dedicated dentists out there that take great pride in what they do and are genuinely interested in their patients’ health. Here’s how to find such a dentist.

Before you begin the search, ask yourself these questions:

1- Do you only go to the dentist when you have a dental emergency?
2- Are you serious about keeping your teeth for the rest of your life?

Most dentists are good at taking care of emergencies. However, I believe most patients are looking for a dentist who can do more than that. Most people want to be healthy and keep their teeth for the rest of their life. It makes sense to select your new dental home before a dental emergency arises. Nothing is more stressful than dealing with a severe toothache and trying to locate the right dentist at the same time.

There are many different sources to find a dentist. No matter what, he process always starts with a phone call. The most important rule is to follow your instinct. Here are some pointers:

1- Is the receptionist that answered your phone call is cheerful, helpful, patient, and willing to answer all your questions?
If you don’t feel welcome on the phone, keep searching. You will never feel like another number in the right dental office.

2- What is the doctor’s educational background?
Your new dentist and dental team should be dedicated to continuing education. Exceptional dental offices complete far more continuing education hours than what is required by the dental board to renew their license.

3- Is it the office policy to have a comprehensive dental examination for all new patients?

This is the first step to a lifelong plan for dental health. It’s a chance for the dental team to know you and for you to know them. This is where you develop a rapport with your dentist and your new dental team. A good dentist treats the whole patient and not just the teeth. Your doctor should be able to not only identify what dental diseases exist but also which ones you’re susceptible to and which ones you’re resistant to. Your dentist should listen to your concerns, be able to answer your questions, and explain his treatment recommendations in a way you can understand without having a dental degree.

We hope this information will make your search for a new dental home easier. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call our office at (559) 229-2288. We look forward to hearing from you.