As your oral health is very important to your overall health and well-being it’s imperative you choose a dentist who is right for you and your family. Your choice of dentist can be vital for the health of your teeth and gums, and by choosing the right dentist, it might also be possible to increase the level of overall care and support you receive.
If you are looking for a new dentist in Wellington or perhaps you are overdue for a check-up, consider these tips for what to look for when choosing a dentist.
Tips for choosing a dentist that’s right for you.
Ask your friends, family and co-workers for recommendations.
If someone you trust has already established a great relationship with a dentist, chances are you will too. Also when calling as a new patient, you may find it easier to get an appointment with a busy dental practice if you have been recommended by one of their good patients.
Opening hours and location.
Is the clinic or practice easy to get to? Does it have parking or public transport options available, that will make it easy for you to get to? You should choose a practice where the location and opening hours are suitable for you.
Experience, education and training.
You’ll always feel much more comfortable if you choose to see a dentist with great experience and the right qualifications. Often the practice website will provide dentists biographies and education background. Ideally the practice website would also provide information on how much continuing education the dentist undertakes to stay up to date. Like everyone, dentists often have areas of special interest and you can look to see if that is the case and if this matches the type of treatment you are interested in.
If you are wanting a specific cosmetic treatment such as veneers or teeth straightening, your dentist should be able to show you examples of their own work. Before and after photos will be able to give you a sense of the quality of the dentists work and experience.
A good dentist should be happy to refer you for specialist advice when necessary and also advise you to seek a second opinion on your treatment plan if you desire.
Membership to dental associations.
Check their website and see if the dentists are members of local/national dental associations. When there are problems between dentist and patient, usually the first port of call is the NZ Dental Association and they will often direct the patient to the local branch. If the dentist is not a member of these organisations, they cannot be of help and you have to wonder why they don’t have a membership.
Below are some of the New Zealand Associations, your dentist may be a member of.
Your initial experience with the practice and staff.
When you first call the practice, they should be friendly and helpful and when visiting the practice it should be clean and tidy. If you are interested, there is no harm in asking for a tour of the sterilization area if you want that extra peace of mind. Take note of how the staff interact with you, each other and the dentist. There should be mutual respect and trust apparent.
At your initial appointment, the dentist should take the time to listen to all your concerns and questions. They should be able to fully explain your treatment plan and provide you with multiple treatment options.
It’s also important to note that a dental practice with at least one hygienist is likely to be more forward thinking and proactive with prevention than one that doesn’t.
By following these tips and tricks, we’re confident that you will be able to find a high quality dentist that you can trust and feel confident and comfortable with.
Choosing a good dentist can be tricky, but rest assure you’re in good hands if you choose to visit Dr Angela McKeefry and Dr Sally Woods at McKeefry Dental in central Wellington.
Simply contact our friendly front desk team who can arrange a convenient appointment time for you.
