Stacking the Odds in Your Favor

Stacking the Odds in Your Favor -

by Rita Spantideas

Office Manager & Treatment Coordinator

The Oaks Dental Center, Ltd.

Do you feel that picking a new dentist is like spinning a roulette wheel?  If it’s a good spin, you pick a winner, and if not, you keep playing the game.  However, don’t despair.  There are ways that will help you stack the odds in your favor.  

First, determine what kind of dentist you should look for.  A general dentist is trained to perform all types of procedures. A general practitioner is what most of us should select.  If you have unusual or difficult needs, a general dentist may refer you to a specialist for the specific treatment.  Dentists, both general practitioners and specialists, can be degreed as D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine).  

The degree the doctor is given depends on the school from which the doctor graduated. The requirements for either one of these degrees are identical: he/she must complete four years of postgraduate study for a general practitioner and an additional two to four years of advanced study for a specialty. They must then pass a state licensing examination to be allowed to open a practice.  

Okay, now that you have determined what kind of dentist you want, you need to do a little more research. Remember, you are looking to form a long-term partnership with your dentist and you need to pick someone you can trust and feel comfortable with. Establish what your priorities are in selecting a dentist. Try asking yourself the following questions and make a list in the order of importance. How important is a beautiful, healthy smile to you? Are you interested in longlasting quality work or just patchwork that will get you by? Are you concerned about price only? Is the dentist contracted with your insurance company network? Are you more interested in a dentist that does comprehensive, esthetic dentistry or the “drill and fill” type? Is the dentist gentle and compassionate? Do you have to wait a long time to get an appointment? Are you kept waiting long upon arriving for your appointment? Are the office hours convenient to your schedule? Is the doctor’s staff friendly and efficient? Is information about fees and payments given to you prior to treatment being done? Where was the doctor educated and trained? Is the office located close to your home and work? Will the doctor take time to answer my questions? You get the picture.  

Experience may be a priority to you.  However, don’t let that be the only criteria.  A new dentist comes prepared, with all the latest techniques, materials and technology available in the industry. You might want to ask a long-practicing dentist how often they attend dental conferences and continuing education workshops/seminars.

Once your priority list is completed, it’s time to start searching. Wow! That’s not so easy! In Crystal Lake alone there are approximately forty dentists. Sure, you could look them all up in the yellow pages or the Internet, then call all forty and ask your questions. Talk about time consuming! So, what’s your best approach?  The best way is to ask family, friends, neighbors or co-workers if they can recommend a good dentist. They may also be able to answer a lot of your priority questions. Once you have the name of the dentist, call the office and ask your questions. That first phone call can be very revealing! If you like what you hear, it’s appropriate to ask if you can visit the office before making your appointment.  An on-site visit will allow you to see if the office is clean and neat. You’ll also be able to determine if the staff is professional, friendly and cares about their patients.  

These tips should help make picking your new dentist a lot less of a gamble.  I can tell you with utmost confidence that when you choose The Oaks Dental Center, you will have chosen a winning spin!