Finding The Right Local Dentist

finding dentist oakville

To find the right dentist for you and your family, you should know about the various dental fields and what to look for. A general practitioner is a dentist who can diagnose, treatment plan and complete treatment, unless it needs to be done by a specialist. Dentists can specialize and become experts in their specialties.

Dentists have dental assistants and dental hygienists who work with them. A dental assistant works alongside the dentist during procedures with tasks they need, they are also qualified to take and develop radiographs.

Dental hygienists perform dental cleanings for patients and can either be an RDH (registered dental hygienist) or have a specialized status. Both of these positions must work under the supervision of a dentist.

Here are 8 points that you should  remember to inquire about when looking for a new dentist:

  • Location! Location! Location. Look for a dentist who is near your home. For example, if you live in Oakville, look for a local dentist in oakville. Furthermore, look for a dentist in your neighborhood. If you live in Bronte area, look for a dentist in Bronte area.
  • Inquire about the dentist’s training and what he is capable of completing clinically. Some dentists cannot perform all procedures, therefore depending on what you want specifically done you may have to search for a dentist who has experience in that field. If the dentist and his/her team is unable to perform a certain procedure and must send you to a specialist, make sure to know how their referral system works.
  • Always start with a consultation, identify your cosmetic issue and request different options to weigh out the pros and cons of each one. Request information about emergency treatment and timings. Does the dentist work on weekends? Or late hours to accommodate emergency walk ins?
  • Ask if the dentist is involved in any dental associations or communities. These require the dentist to have on-going/continuing education courses, which provide them with knowledge on the latest technology and new procedures available. Ask how many years the office has been opened for.
  • Request information about what is used for patient comfort for example nitrous oxide, or premedication, music, heating pads.
  • If you are interested in completing any cosmetic dentistry always ask for pictures taken before and after from previous patients. Also bringing a picture you would like to reference your own results may help give the dentist/ dental team what your expectation looks like.
  • Inquire about costs before starting treatment with a dentist. Depending on what type of dental coverage you hold, it may cover most, all or some of your procedures. Consult your private insurance for details.
  • Consider whether or not you are comfortable with the whole dental team. Are they friendly, and able to accommodate your needs? Do you see yourself staying at this office long term?

If you have any concerns, you can always book a consultation first to meet your new dental office team members. If you are looking for dentist in Oakville, we are accepting new patients. Call (905) 465-0026.