10 Ways to Choose a Good Dentist

Although we all know that proper dental care is vital to good health, most of us don't know how to choose a good dentist. How can non-medical people know what questions to ask before they choose their family dentist? There are two main considerations that will affect your choice -- how a dentist treats you as a person and how he or she treats your mouth. The Crown Council, a group of dentists dedicated to excellence, suggests you consider these 10 questions to help you choose the quality dental care your need and deserve.

1. What is the dentist's philosophy for performing dentistry?
This can be a good question to start the conversation. You may have specific questions such as, What determines your choice of putting in a crown rather than a filling? or What standards do you have in regard to pulling a tooth? or When do you decide to refer a patient to a specialist? Part of a dentist's job is to educate and inform patients. What is important is that a good dentist will explain problems and options in a way that you understand so you can take part in making decisions about your care together.

2. What continuing education has the dentist had within the past year?
Dedicated dentists like to keep up with the latest developments in their field. It's OK to ask and they may even appreciate the opportunity to tell you about the courses or conferences they've attended.

3. Have you been treated with respect and concern?
You're not a tooth with a problem, you're a person with teeth. A good dentist will ask you questions about your needs and ask if you have any special fears or concerns.

4. Does the dentist follow OSHA guidelines for infection control?
Your dentist should follow the guidelines set by OSHA and the American Dental Association. That means wearing gloves and a mask and sterilizing hand pieces.

5. Does the dentist consider you a partner in your treatment planning?
Rather than just telling you what to do, he or she should explain the results of the exam and work with you to develop a total treatment plan based on the big picture of your oral health and wellness. A plan that is patient driven, not insurance driven. Remember, you want a dentist who can offer enough information to help you make an informed decision.

6. Does the dentist ask for a complete medical history?
Your detailed medical history will be important for many reasons including determining allergies and possible drug interactions or intolerances.

7. Does the dentist do an oral cancer screening?
This should be routine at your initial exam and then followed up at every cleaning appointment. Your dentist needs to look not only at your teeth, but your entire mouth.

8. Does the dentist check thoroughly for gum disease, decay, and correct bite? A thorough initial exam includes using a periodontal probe to probe for six points on each tooth - three on the cheek side and three on the tongue side - to check for the depth of possible bone loss caused by gum disease. A depth of over three millimeters indicates areas of concern. As a follow-up, periodontal probing should be done again by the dental hygienist at every cleaning.

The dentist should also use the dental pic to look for decay. Also, at the first exam, the jaw and teeth relationship and the contact points in your bite should be checked by the dentist. This is important because over time, changes in your bite can cause stress and cracked teeth.

9. During the initial exam does the dentist take the proper amount of x-rays for your individual case?
The amount of X-rays taken should be personalized for your individual case. The x-rays are necessary to make sure your mouth is examined for decay between each tooth, and to check for bone disease, cysts or any other type of pathology.

10. Does the dentist maintain your DMF record (Decayed, Missing and Filled)?
The DMF is a charting system that tells all the work that has been done on your teeth and what works needs to be done. You can ask to see your probing chart, your x-rays and your DMF..