How To Choose Your Dentist

Patients are unlikely to change to other practitioners unless they lose confidence, and trust or they feel that their expectations are not met.

When patients finally decide to move to another dental practice or dentist these concerns seem prevalent:

1. My filling has dropped out three times

• Every dentist has undergone strict academic and practical studies to be able to practice dentistry.
• The development of further skills will depend on postgraduate education which can be chosen voluntarily by each individual practitioner. It requires time away from work and monetary expenses.
• Any dentist who views Dentistry as an ever expanding learning career will follow the path of further training.
• Should a restoration be unstable, the patient may need another treatment option to secure a solid result.
• It is always a good idea to view a “before and after” gallery of patients that have been treated by a particular dentist to assess the quality and standard of work.

2. The overall service has been poor.

• Patients often feel that cancellation of appointments together with non disclosure of fees and poor communication is disheartening.
• Although cancellations due to illness or unforeseen circumstances cannot be avoided , patients should be offered alternative arrangements within a few days.
• Communication is key! It is important that all available treatment options are discussed with the patient, in plain language, together with professional fees. This should be confirmed by a written treatment plan.
• The service of a treatment co-ordinator is most valuable as the patient will be given alternative choices for individual treatments. This chat is non-clinical and informative; it is conducted in a relaxed and friendly environment.
• A patient’s journey should be a positive and enjoyable experience. From the initial contact with the practice to the final treatment outcome a patient should be happy with the service.

3. The dentist and the staff were unfriendly

• Any health care provider enters a “caring” profession whereby the best interest of the patient is a core value. 
• It goes without saying that a friendly, compassionate atmosphere is paramount to make a patient feel at ease.
• Although the dental profession can be stressful and challenging dentists and staff should act in a professional manner together with a kind and understanding demeanour.

4. I am a nervous patient and I am afraid of pain

• More often than not patients are nervous of visiting a dental practice. This may be due to previous negative experiences or the “white coat syndrome”.
• It helps when a practice has plenty of good reviews, whereby other patients share their positive involvement with a particular clinic. A relaxing and comfortable environment together with welcoming staff will of course assist to combat anxiety.
• Treatment should always be pain-free. The use of advanced and reliable local anaesthesia is of foremost importance to ensure treatment is carried out with no discomfort.
• Very anxious patients may be able to receive oral or intravenous sedation. This means that they will be calm during treatment and be able to tolerate dental procedures more easily.

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