On average, one third of US adults go without routine dental care. Even those who do make the time to keep up with their oral health can encounter problems, though many of us put off that trip.
You shouldn’t, though — even a trip to the emergency dentist doesn’t have to be a painful or uncomfortable process if you pick the right professional.
Wondering if you’ve found a good one? Here are some good reasons to see that emergency dentist you’ve been looking at.
1. They Have Good Reviews
91% of 18-34 year olds trust online reviews as much as a word from their good friends. There’s a reason for this — online reviews are generally left by unbiased third parties and can give you a great picture of a service if you take the time to read through them.
If a dentist has plenty of positive reviews after treating tooth pain and a good overall score, it’s a sign that they know what they’re doing. You can always dive into the high and low reviews and read them too, if you want to explore more — though hopefully there won’t be too many low ones to find.
2. They Have a Nice Website
Although web design is nowhere near a similar industry to dentistry, having a nice website is huge for any professional service. It should be clean, contain lots of information, and have their contact details clearly listed.
If they’ve taken the time to make sure they have a clean and accessible business, it speaks volumes for them and suggests they really care about making a good impression on their clients. This means your emergency dentistry experience is likely to go the same way too.
3. They Have Experience
Making sure your dentist has plenty of professional experience behind them is key before you go to them. There are many types of dentists, and some of them may not be apt at dealing with tooth and mouth pain (for example, they may specialize more with cosmetic procedures).
If their experience isn’t on their website, it’s perfectly acceptable to ring up the office and ask if they have any dentists with a lot of experience in emergency dentistry. Most people understand that you don’t want to be part of someone’s learning curve when you’re in pain!
4. They Have Quick Availability
If you have a dental emergency and you call up a dentist who says they can see you in a few weeks, this might be a great sign for their popularity, but not so much for you. Tooth and mouth pain can quickly get worse and if you have some, you need to get an appointment as soon as possible.
Emergency dentists usually have some time blocked out for those urgent matters. If someone can’t see you for some time, try someone else.
5. They Have Payment Options
Dentistry can be very expensive. While many people have insurance that cover their dental needs, others may not and may be worried about the cost when going to an emergency dentist. What if they can’t afford it?
That’s why it’s important to look for a dentist that has payment options. You may be able to finance treatment so you can pay over the cost of a few months rather than all in one go.
If you have insurance, you should make sure that the dental clinic is in-network. Otherwise, you may be billed for the whole procedure regardless of your insurance.
6. They’re Understanding
If you don’t get a good impression from calling them and feel like the staff is short or curt, it may not be the best place for you. Most dentists and other staff in the office understand that dentistry — especially in emergencies — can be an anxiety-inducing procedure for many and strive to not make that concern any worse.
Some dentists even specialize in patients with anxiety and have options such as sedation. Make sure to ask if this is a real worry for you.
7. They’re Non-Judgmental
One reason people often fear the dentist is that they’re worried about being judged. They haven’t been improving their dental health and, in fact, may have let it go.
The staff should be very understanding about this. If they seem judgmental about the fact that you haven’t prioritized your oral health and it’s come to an emergency, find someone who will be warmer towards you and educate you on how to take care of your teeth in the future.
8. The Office Is Calming
By the time you arrive at the office of your emergency dentist, you should find the atmosphere to be calming and relaxing. The waiting room should be a place where you can keep your anxiety under control as much as possible, full of distractions such as things to read or a television with something calming playing.
If you’re sitting in the waiting room during your appointment or consultation and feel like the office is a soothing place, you’ve picked the right emergency dentist.
Picking the Right Emergency Dentist Isn’t Too Hard
If you’re looking at an emergency dentist and wondering if they’re the right fit, these are the reasons they might be the one for you. Make sure you ask all of the questions you need the answers to so you can ensure you feel comfortable, consider their attitude, and make sure there’s a payment option that suits.
If you do all of that, you’ll be just fine.
Looking for an expert and understanding emergency dentist in Thousand Oaks, CA? Contact us today and we’d be happy to help you.