Whether you are new to the area or just aren’t satisfied with your current dental care, finding a good dentist can be a challenge. But how can you be sure if a dentist will a good fit for you and your family?
Before you commit to a dentist, ask them these 5 questions:
5. What insurance and forms of payment do you accept?
Obviously, if you have dental insurance, it’s important for you to find a provider covered by your insurance. But whether or not you have insurance, you’ll also need to know about other payment options. You may want to ask about cash, personal checks, which credit cards they accept, and whether they take medical credit services like CareCredit. We also suggest you find out about the pricing of cleanings, basic x-rays, and other annual services so you can budget and save accordingly.
4. Do you offer extended office hours?
For many working families, visiting a dentist during the 9-5 work day is a huge inconvenience, requiring a morning or afternoon away from work or school. Ask if the dental practice offers evening or weekend times to accommodate their patients. Contact My Family Dentistry today to see how we can work with your schedule!
3. What continuing education and training do you do?
When you’re putting your health and well being in someone’s hands, you want to be confident in his or her skills. A licensed, well-educated dentist is good, but someone who reads industry publications and regularly attends or presents at conferences, seminars, and other educational events will be able to offer you more treatment options and the most up-to-date techniques and materials.
2. Is the office clean and modern?
Sanitation is important in all medical environments, but it is especially important in dentistry. Ask your dentist how they sanitize their medical instruments and treatment areas, as well as what kind of equipment they use – it may sound overly technical, but a good dentist will explain why they use that equipment and how it will help you. For example, if you asked My Family Dentistry why we use digital radiography instead of traditional x-rays, we would explain that it exposes our patients to 75% less radiation than conventional x-rays, and there’s no chemical waste to harm the environment or delay while the images develop!
1. Do they make me comfortable?
The most important thing about choosing a dentist is that you be comfortable with him or her. The office, the staff, and your dentist should all make you feel at ease and comfortable asking questions. If you don’t like your dentist and aren’t comfortable in the office, you may avoid coming in for important care, which could have serious consequences for your dental health. We pride ourselves on “comfortable dentistry,” using aromatherapy, spa décor, and even a paraffin hand dip to keep our patients comfortable and happy. If you’re not in the Knoxville, TN area, however, make sure the dentist you choose makes you feel at home!
Finding a good dentist doesn’t have to be a burden. If you are in the greater Knoxville area, Dr. Mullins and the entire staff at My Family Dentistry want to help you and your family with all of your dental needs. We provide compassionate care for patients of all ages, and we’re happy to give you all the information and treatment options you need to make the right decision for yourself. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Wesley Mullins!
What’s important to you in a dental practice? Let us know in the comments!
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