Making regular trips to the dentist’s office is the key to a picture-perfect smile. But not all dentists offer the same teeth-whitening, oral health-boosting services to make your smile really shine. And trying to find the right dentist can be as difficult as, well, pulling teeth.
Running a Google Maps search for “dentists near me” will light up your phone’s screen like a fireworks display. Asking for referrals from friends and family can give you mixed results. And you don’t have enough time—or teeth—to try out different dentists every six months.
However, when it comes to choosing a dentist, there are some simple questions you can ask before plopping down in the dental chair, opening wide and saying, “Ah.”
What to Look for in a New Dentist
Dentists are kind of like a box of chocolates. Actually, scratch that. Dentists are nothing like a box of chocolates because they prevent cavities, they don’t cause them. But they do come in all kinds of different flavours.
These five questions can help you decide which flavour of dentist is right for your smile. Also, please do not bite your dentist. Whatever their flavour, they will not taste like chocolate—milk or dark.
1. How qualified is this dentist?
It’s safe to assume that anyone with a dental practice went to—and hopefully graduated from—dental school. Here in Ontario, all practicing dentists must have a valid certificate from the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. Whichever dentist you’re considering, you can rest assured that they are qualified to provide you with at least a bare minimum standard of care. But bare minimums never made for picture-perfect smiles. Any dentist you allow to go rooting around in your mouth should also have some general medical knowledge as your oral health is a good indication of your overall health. Learn more about your prospective dentists’ qualifications and how they can help protect your smile.
2. What are the office hours?
A highly-qualified, very personable, super friendly dentist with a knack for whitening smiles and fighting gum disease is useless if he’s only open for one hour every other Friday of the blue moon. When you’re considering a new dentist, make sure that their office hours align with your schedule. You’ll also want to explore their appointment booking system. Scheduling an appointment shouldn’t be as painful as a tooth extraction without anesthesia.
3. What dentistry services does this dentist offer?
Not every dental office is equipped with the latest technology and so can’t offer the greatest dental care and treatments to their clients. Be sure to explore the full range of dentistry services that any prospective dentists offer. More niche services such as various types of sedation dentistry or emergency dental care aren’t just “nice-to-haves”, they’re a practical necessity for a healthy smile. Additionally, depending on your family plans, enquire as to whether or not your prospective new dentist treats patients of all ages—having the same dentist as the rest of your family is a real timesaver.
4. Where is this dentist located?
Going to the dentist should be hassle—i.e., traffic–free. Trying to run across town in time for your teeth whitening appointment might be good cardio but it isn’t exactly good for you. Make sure that your new dentist is in a convenient location. Say, for example, 171 Liberty Street East, Suite 138 in Toronto’s Liberty Village. Just as an example.
5. Does this dentist accept my dental insurance?
If you have dental insurance coverage through your employer or through other means, it’s worth finding out whether or not any new dentist you seek out would be included in your package. It’s also worth finding out what the cost of uninsured services might be.
Portrait Dental is in the Heart of Liberty Village
We aren’t much for bragging, but at Portrait Dental we have some of the best dentists in Liberty Village. If you’re looking for a new dentist in Toronto, stop by our state-of-the-art dental clinic today and ask us how we can get your smile portrait-ready.