Choosing a dental care team is about more than just finding someone with the availability for teeth cleanings and dental health examinations. You must find a dentist, hygienist, and dental staff you trust for your cavities, fillings, extractions, and other important dental treatments. It’s a partnership you cannot form in a hurry. With so many choices in Greensboro, NC, and the Triad area, how do you find the best dental practice?
Friendly Dentistry specializes in dental anxiety. We want you to make the best choice for your needs. That’s why we put together some tips to help you choose a dentist in your area to ensure you’re comfortable at every appointment.
Driving Distance Isn’t the Only Factor
You want a dentist who is near your home or workplace, so you narrow your list to the closest dental practices. After a few calls, you take the first dentist with an opening at a convenient time.
Is that enough? What happens if you go for your first appointment and feel rushed? What if that dentist pushes you through anxious moments or doesn’t stop when you say something hurts?
A report published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene shares that almost 26% of dental patients report having moderate or high dental anxiety. Over 8% of those people admit they’ve missed dental check-ups due to that fear.
Never settle for the closest dentist. Make sure you’re finding a dentist who spends time with you, helps ease your anxiety, and provides the oral care you deserve.
What Makes a Good Dentist? Don’t Overlook These Important Signs
How do you know what makes a good dentist? Look at these criteria.
The Dental Team’s Background and Experience
Dental school and continuing education programs are a good starting point, but you also must look at the dentist’s work experience. Do they typically treat patients with your dental issues or concerns? If you do have dental anxiety, are they experts in sedation dentistry if you need it?
What Oral Care Services Do They Offer?
A good dental office should be prepared for your oral care needs. You shouldn’t have to go to half a dozen different dental specialists to have straight teeth or an ideal smile. Ideally, find a dental provider who performs:
- Cleanings and exams, including screenings for oral diseases like oral cancer and gum disease
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Emergency care
- Implants and bridges
- Restorative dentistry
- Teeth straightening, like Invisalign
- X-rays
Do You Feel Comfortable with the Staff?
If you don’t feel comfortable with every aspect of your visit, it’s a problem. Your hygienist makes comments about your teeth, and your embarrassment keeps you from wanting to return. A billing supervisor seems abrasive, and you dread another battle over insurance coverage. It's a positive dental experience that keeps you coming back, so make sure you're comfortable during every point of your dental visit.
Little things like this can make it hard to want to return to a dental practice. You need to make sure everyone treats you with respect and kindness.
Patient Reviews: What Do Others Say?
Checking online reviews of a dental office offers a helpful way to see what others experience during a visit for cleanings, periodontal work, and restorations. Any dental practice will have negative reviews, so you need to learn how to use them to judge the dentists and hygienists on your shortlist.
If someone complains that dental insurance didn’t cover the tooth examination or restoration bill, it’s not necessarily the dentist’s fault. It has nothing to do with the actual care received. A parent who is upset that a general dentist didn't offer family dentistry isn't necessarily the best judge of the dental practice in terms of your dental needs. Learn to focus on aspects of a review that apply to your situation.
Does Your Insurance Cover the Cost?
Insurance companies often cover care for in-network dentists. If a dentist isn’t in-network, you may be billed for the dental care you receive. Check to make sure the insurance you use is covered by that dentist. What is your co-pay, if any, and is there a deductible? If it's not affordable dental care, you need to make sure you're telling your dentist what you can and cannot afford to pay for dental treatments.
How to Get Started with a New Dentist in Greensboro, NC
Now that you’ve chosen a new dentist, it’s time to get started. Use this checklist to make sure your experience goes smoothly.
- Use an online scheduler or call to book your first dental examination.
- Complete any new patient forms before you arrive, if possible.
- Request a transfer of your past dental records, if possible.
- Have a list of questions ready to ask the hygienist or dentist.
- Know your health history and be prepared to share a list of non-prescription supplements or medications and prescriptions you take regularly.
- Be honest about your past experiences and things that trigger anxiety during a dental visit.
- Follow advice like brushing tips, fluoride use, dietary changes, and care tips for your teeth and gums.
Why Choose Friendly Dentistry in Greensboro, NC?
The team at Friendly Dentistry strives to make every patient comfortable during every visit. If you’re still anxious when you leave, we know you’ll hesitate to come back. Our priority is to make this the best experience you’ve ever had at a dental office. You should feel like you’re visiting family each time you walk in the door.
Our comprehensive oral care services include:
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Dental implants
- Dental X-rays
- Emergency care (Dental emergency availability)
- Family and general dentistry
- Invisalign
- Restorative dentistry
- Sedation dentistry
- Teeth cleaning
You can always expect a delicate touch from our dental services to ensure your dental care is as pain-free as possible.
We are committed to giving you a bright, shining smile, with as little difficulty as possible.
Choose Friendly Dentistry For Your Dental Needs
View our Smile Gallery to see before and after photos.
If you like what you see, reach us at 336-272-4595 or use Friendly Dentistry’s online appointment scheduler to choose a day and time for your visit and let us know what your dental needs are.