If you haven't found a long-term, primary care College Station dentist yet, you are not alone. Many find it difficult to wade through the large number of options available and find someone they can trust. When your longtime regular dentist suddenly closes his/her practice or if you have tried local dentists before and found their services unsatisfactory, it can be difficult to know where to turn. Finally, if you've recently moved into the area, you might not have found time to begin your search.Below, we suggest 5 important questions you should ask when looking for a College Station dentist and outline some criteria you should take into consideration before making your decision:
1. Does the dentist use the latest technology?
Dentists who use "state of the art" equipment and put into practice the most advanced dentistry techniques have a clear advantage and are much more likely to achieve better patient outcomes. Look for 3D imaging probes, same day crowns, titanium dental implants, Invisalign "invisible" braces, and other modern systems. Also, ask your prospective dentist what level of training he/she has acquired, how many years of experience he has, and whether or not he is engaged in any continuing education.A good dentist will be willing to constantly invest in his office, in new and better equipment, and in new training that helps him better serve his patients. There is amazing new technology out there in the world of modern dentistry, and "remaining in the past" is simply not an option. The only sense in which your dentist should be "old school" is in clinging to age-old principles like a high work ethic and putting the customer first.
2. Do you feel comfortable in the dentist's office?
For many, there is a natural fear of going to the dentist's office, and when that office seems cold, uncomfortable, and even intimidating, young children (and even adults) may be less inclined to venture inside. Many times, people who dislike going to the dentist as children carry that feeling with them into adulthood, and the result can often be detrimental to one's oral health.Look for a dentist who understands the importance of making his office as inviting as possible, especially to children and to new customers. The waiting room should have comfortable seating, the staff should be easy to approach, and the dental work area should be clean, spacious, and well organized.
3. Can the dentist handle every member of your family?
Most people are too busy to set up separate appointments with a pediatric dentist, a general dental practitioner, an oral surgeon, or an orthodontist. You need to have a single location where a "family dentist" can handle everyone at once. After all, you're driving around, taking time off of work, and perhaps, engaging in a number of other errands, and multiple dental offices would just complicate things even further.Look for a dental office with staff who are trained in pediatric dentistry as well as adult dentistry. Also look for a practice that offers a wide range of dental procedures, including everything from cosmetic dentistry to oral surgery. Be sure that your dentist offers extensive preventative care so you can avoid other services as much as possible.
4. Does your dentist have strong ties to the local community?
Whether you are a longtime College Station resident or new to the area, you want a dentist with strong ties to the local community. A dentist who has been in the local area for many years more likely views himself as serving his community--his neighbors and friends. This will naturally make him more inclined to watch out for your interests, whereas a "newcomer practice" will still be in the process of building that kind of community awareness.Another thing to consider is that someone with a long history in the community has proven that he/she intends to remain in the community for a long time, maybe permanently. This reduces the risk of you losing your dentist when he suddenly moves away. It gives you a good chance of getting lifelong care from one dentist, which is the ideal standard. Finally, those with a substantial track record have had time to establish a local reputation, which leads us into point 5.
5. What kind of reviews does your dentist get?
There is no better way to discover the truth about a dentist than to ask his/her past patients about their experience with him. It may be you can get an in-person referral from a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or relative. Otherwise, you will need to get an unbiased picture of what your prospective dentist has to offer.You can check with the BBB to see their rating and if any complaints have been lodged against them. Or, you can look for online reviews from reputable websites. Be careful not to be swayed by every negative review or every "glowingly positive" review, but instead, look for substantive comments on the dentist's services or for a dentist whose reviews are overwhelmingly positive.ConclusionIf you've done your research, you should be able to come up with a short list of viable candidates to be your new dentist. While much can be learned through "long-distance" research, it helps to make an in-person visit before making a final decision.We at Cashion Dental offer a full range of up-to-date dental services to the people of College Station, Texas, and the surrounding area. To learn more about our practice and our commitment to the local community, visit us online or call us at 979-985-2810.Sources:https://prosthodontics.org/assets/1/7/2016_Digital_Dentistry_Symposium.pdf
