How to Search For a Dentist? Tips from a Dental Malpractice Attorney
Written by Cooper & Friedman PLLC on January 19, 2017
Dentists have a tricky role when acting as a healthcare provider, a therapist, and a friend at the same time. These professionals are known for reaching into their patient’s mouths and for their strong communication skills during awkward situations.
As a patient, it can be hard to respond during a teeth cleaning or cavity filling, but luckily most dentists work hard to communicate with you in such a way that you’re able to remain as comfortable as possible. This is fortunate since for many people, going to the dentist comes with nerves, apprehension, and an association with pain. Additionally, it can be especially uncomfortable and awkward if you have a lackluster dental provider.
While the face-to-face interaction with your dentist is important, so is the amount of care they offer to patients. You should see a dentist that is kind and comfortable to interact with, while also being experienced, professional, and knowledgeable. Dentists, staff, and offices vary considerably, so it is very important to your health to find a dentist with excellent skills, who also makes you feel as comfortable as possible.
For people moving to a new area or changing dentists, Cooper and Friedman personal injury lawyers have put together a list of 5 tips that can help you find the best dentist in your area.
A Dental Malpractice Attorney Offers Tips for Finding a Dentist
1. Do Your Research – Make time to scour the Internet and look for the best dentist in your area. Check out review websites like Yelp and local news articles about your dentist. These resources can be very helpful especially when you are comparing several dentists in a heavily populated or saturated area. Make sure that your dentist is appropriately certified throughout your state as well as with the American Academy of General Dentistry and the American Dental Academy.
2. Know His/Her Style – As you research you will begin to understand what kind of reputation your dentist carries. Try and delve deeper into other aspects of the dental practice as well. Find out if a dentist specializes in specific areas of dentistry such as veneers, dentures, or whitening treatments. Also consider if you are looking for a big box name or a local dentist that owns their company. Sometimes big box dental offices follow more routinized procedures due to the corporate oversight from a larger entity.
3. Ask Others – One of the best ways to find a great dentist is through word of mouth referrals. If you’re unhappy with your dentist or in search of a new one, then ask your family, friends, and coworkers where they go and who they see since some offices have multiple dentists in the same practice. Ask about any procedures they may have had and the amount of care that was provided before, during, and after.
4. Visit the Office – It never hurts to have an informational visit with a dentist before you have dental work done. Call up the office and try making an appointment. Each office has a different approach to scheduling appointments and handling phone conversations. It can be a huge turn-off if you are dealing with rude or unhelpful office staff and a single phone call can save you from dealing with that issue regularly. You can always stop in to the office, as well, and get a feel for the style and vibe of the office. Pay attention to parking, if private rooms are available, the amount of foot traffic in the office, and overall cleanliness.
5. Shop Around – If you decide to visit one office for a teeth cleaning, 6 months later you are free to try out a different office. Shop around until you are satisfied with the dentist, office environment, and experience.
Finding a new dentist can take a while with regular cleanings only occurring every six months. The key is to not get frustrated in the process and never feel guilty for trying out other dentist offices after you’ve visited one. Ultimately, you are the one responsible for your dental care, and this decision is completely up to you. Take the time to find a dental practice that you truly like. Always remember to check your new dentist’s certifications and memberships, and do not hesitate to ask all the questions you may have during your search.
Unfortunately sometimes things at a dental office do not go as anticipated. And this can even involve examples of dental malpractice. If you or someone you love has been the victim of some kind of medical malpractice including dental malpractice, get the legal help you need from an experienced dental malpractice attorney.
The Cooper and Friedman law firm in Louisville, Kentucky, provides assistance to injury victims in Kentucky and Southern Indiana, and this includes dental malpractice cases. Our dental malpractice attorneys have over 45 combined years of legal experience and have earned an A+ BBB rating. For more information or a free case consultation, call 502-459-7555 now.