How To Choose A Dentist

Choosing a dentist is an incredibly important step for you to take. Choosing a dentist that works for you and your family is a critical decision that will influence the dental health of you, and your children. Here are some tips on how to choose a dentist.

1. Look at the approach and treatment philosophy of the dentist.

Of all, examine your own beliefs when it comes to your treatment and dental health. Do you prefer simply to deal with problems as they come up-- you'll wait until your wisdom teeth come in before you take them out, for example? Or do you prefer to take a more preventative and proactive approach to your treatment, trying to take care of problems before they become an issue?

What level of dentistry can you afford? What level of dental care do you want, and do you need?

Talk to your prospective dentists to see how they approach dental health and treatment. Make sure that their medical philosophy coincides with your own, so that you and your dentist will be working together instead of against each other.

2. Look at the dentist's relationship with patients.

It's absolutely vital to your happiness and satisfaction that you choose a dentist who has good communication. What is the dentist's chairside manner like? Does the dentist care about you as a person, or does he or she simply see you as a mouth to fix and a checkbook?

What kind of communicative approach do you prefer in your medical care? Do you prefer someone who is friendly, personable, and treats you like a friend? Or would you prefer someone who has a completely scientific approach to care? Make sure when you are talking to prospective dentists that you feel comfortable communicating with your dentist, that you can make yourself understood, and you can understand the dentist.

3. Look at post graduate and continuing professional education.

Checking out a dentist's continuing professional education is especially important when you are choosing a dentist for cosmetic dentistry and for other more major and complicated dental work. Most dental schools don't actually provide intense and in-depth training in cosmetic dentistry.

When you are looking for the right dentist, look at the dentist's dedication to continued education and training in the latest techniques and approaches to dentistry and oral surgery and improvement. Your dentist needs to be taking or have taken courses in continuing professional training to keep on top of these developments in surgery and cosmetic design. Continuing education demonstrates a constant commitment to excellence in dental work.

4. Choose a dentist who can plan your treatment.

You need a dentist who can help you come up with a long term treatment plan for your teeth. A dentist who can work with you to take care of problems is one who is really committed to your dental health.

5. Financial options.

Choose a dentist who will work with your financial situation. Find a dentist who offers dental payment plans that work with your budget, so that you don't have to delay important dental work because you don't have the money at the time.

Even within your dental insurance plan, you can find different dentists who have different approaches to payment. Don't let your insurance dictate your dental health. Instead, find dentists within the approved network of dentists who fit your treatment philosophy, who have the right training, and who will work with you to give you the dental Dr Sherry Powell health and appearance that you want.


Choosing a dentist that works for you and your family is a critical decision that will influence the dental health of you, and your children. Make sure when you are talking to prospective dentists that you feel comfortable communicating with your dentist, that you can make yourself understood, and you can understand the dentist.

When you are looking for the right dentist, look at the dentist's dedication to continued education and training in the latest approaches and techniques to dentistry and oral surgery and improvement. A dentist who can work with you to take care of problems is one who is really committed to your dental health.

Instead, find dentists within the approved network of dentists who fit your treatment philosophy, who have the right training, and who will work with you to give you the dental health and appearance that you want.