Whether you’ve been with your dentist for years, or you’ve only had one appointment, it can be challenging to know when you should seek out another professional. Working with the right dentist is an important part of your overall dental health, so you don’t want to compromise on the quality of care you receive. If you’re feeling uncertain about your current dentist, here are five signs it might be time to make the switch.
1. The dentist and/or staff make you feel uncomfortable.
If you have fear or anxiety about visiting the dentist, you are not alone. Many patients are apprehensive about dental procedures. Although a small amount of worrying is normal, you should not have to deal with a staff or dentist that does not do everything possible to make you comfortable. If your dentist is rude, pushy, or doesn’t adequately answer your questions, you deserve to find another practitioner who respects your time and your business. It is possible to face a dental visit without dread!
2. Your medical history isn’t a factor.
Whether you visit the dentist for a routine cleaning or for a painful tooth, what’s going on inside your mouth is not the only thing that’s important. Your medical history is a vital part of your dental health, so an excellent dentist will consider your current health, past health conditions, and medications before recommending a treatment plan. If your Houston dentist simply treats your pain without mentioning your history, you are setting yourself up for problems.
3. American Dental Association standards are not met.
The American Dental Association, or ADA, has strict specifications regarding dental office cleanliness, sterilization and quality of care. You should not have to compromise even an inch when it comes to any of these standards. Many of this regulations are put in place to protect patients from infection. If dental equipment is not properly sterilized, you are putting the health of your entire body at risk. An excellent dental practice will be happy to answer your questions about cleanliness, quality of care, and other ADA issues. If they are not upfront about this information, you should probably start thinking about what they could be hiding.
4. The dentist discourages second opinions.
If you are considering a costly, involved dental procedure or plan of treatment, you might be interested in getting a second opinion from another dentist before moving forward. A professional, experienced dentist should not be threatened by this. A reputable dentist feels confident in her findings and opinions, so she will not talk to you in a negative manner because you prefer to get a second opinion.
5. The dentist doesn’t refer to specialists.
Even the best dentist in the world cannot handle every dental issue. That’s one of the reasons why specialists focus on only dealing with certain dental problems. If your current dentist does not ever mention referring you to a specialist for implants, orthodontics, or other specialized areas, that should be a red flag. A dentist that insists on trying to perform every treatment and procedure in his own office could be more interested in a paycheck than your quality of care.
Although this list is helpful, it does not cover every reason why you should consider leaving your dentist. To put it simply, you should feel comfortable when you visit your dentist and confident that you are receiving the best possible care. If you don’t feel like this with your current dentist, please contact Sinada Dental Houston. We would love the opportunity to meet you and show you what sets us apart from our the rest.