Finding your local dental clinic.
Choosing the right dental office for you and your family can make the difference between receiving the treatment you need or ‘putting it off’ because you don’t make it a priority. Obviously, we think it’s important to have the treatment done – because we see the effects of leaving it for later! So what factors should you consider when looking for a dental office? Here are our top five points to consider:
1. Doctor and staff skills. You want to know the work is done well, but since it is in your mouth, that can be tricky. You will be judging by appearance, comfort level, and future treatment. If a crown doesn’t feel right or continually pops off, there may be a reason for that. (Sometimes it is just bad luck!) An office should be getting you in right away to follow up on issues like these.
2. Communication skills also need to be top-notch. If you are not comfortable asking the dental team questions then your level of understanding will be weak and you will be more likely to put off the work. You should be made to feel welcome by the entire staff from the time you walk in, until you’re finished paying the bill. No question is too small when it comes to your health. Patient education should be a top priority.
3. Location and hours. If it’s just too inconvenient to get there, you won’t make the effort. However, if you love the dentist and staff, you’ll find a reason to make it work. We’re downtown, which doesn’t work for everyone, but many patients tie their dental visit to a shopping trip and then it becomes easier to book that appointment. Because we are located downtown, we’ve chosen to open early in the morning to accommodate working hours. We also have appointments over the lunch hour.
4. Treatment plans. Do you understand why the work the doctor is proposing is necessary? Have they shown you pictures of your mouth so you can see the area being discussed? Is work being planned at every appointment you go to? You have the right to question these things and possibly visit another dentist for a second opinion. Doctors can vary in their aggressiveness with treatment (ie. you need to do it now, as opposed to waiting to see if the pain goes away on its own) and here at Downtown Dental Centre, we want you to be comfortable with the decisions being made about your oral health. Creating a trusting relationship with your dental team is essential.
5. Office ambience. How do you feel when you walk in the door? Is the office clean? The overall feel of a place can determine whether or not you want to be there. There are inherent smells and sounds in a dental office, but they shouldn’t detract from the overall experience. You’ll find our view from the fifth floor creates a calming and relaxing atmosphere, with an abundance of natural light.
