How to Spot a Bad Dentist from a Good Dentist

When it comes to evaluating your dentist, how do you tell between the good ones and the bad? Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a perfect dentist’s office, but they should at least be working on some of the areas mentioned. You should pick out what’s most important to you. Here are some tips to help in your evaluation.

 

-The first impression of the dentist and their office

• The scheduling: Is the receptionist kind and open for questions? The staff says a lot about the dentist and his/her practice.
• The office: Does the office feel welcoming? Is the staff helpful? Is the office dusty and unclean? If so, be warned that the dental office is not sterile, which means that the instruments the dentist uses won’t be either. In that case, get out of there as fast as you can!
• The wait: While you shouldn’t base your decision solely on the wait, because a dentist can encounter some unforeseen issues during the day, it’s still worth considering.

-Pain level

Bad dentists won’t worry about minimizing a patient’s pain and will be much rougher in performing routine procedures like cleaning or giving shots.

-Equipment

A good dentist won’t get offended if you ask them what they use to clean instruments, they might even show you what they use to sterilize their equipment.

-Hygiene

If your dentist keeps their gloves on after he/she has cleaned your mouth, that’s a bad sign. And if you see them doing anything with those gloves before cleaning your mouth, that’s an even worse sign.

-Obsession with money

Good dentists care about their patients and improving their oral health and not just taking as much money as they can. A dentist who is only interested in your money will offer you loads of expensive treatments, unnecessary fillings, excessive X-rays, unnecessary deep teeth cleaning and many specials and deals to get as much money as possible.

-Unnecessary and extreme procedures

While some extreme procedures may be necessary, if your dentist immediately goes to that option without offering any other less expensive alternatives, look for a second opinion. Also, if this dentist recommends expensive procedures every time you come in, it’s a clear sign they care more about money than about your health.

-Upselling

Beware of dentists who try to sell you extra products like vitamins or herbs that are supposed to help your oral health. It will be hard to tell if these products can actually help you.

-Payment

It’s a red flag if a dentist asks for the full amount for your dental work in advance before they even begin the work.

-The bill

If you had a simple dental procedure with no major problems, your bill should reflect that.

-Poor work

If your fillings and veneers fall out, crowns become loose not long after the work has been done, it could be a sign of bad work. However, if you ate something you shouldn’t have and your filling or crown or veneer came loose, don’t blame the dentist.

-Staff

Get to know your hygienist. Ask them if their family gets their work done at that office. If they say no, it’s a red flag.

-Post-Checkup

How do you feel after your appointment? Your dentist is supposed to improve your health, not create more problems.

 

Filter your experience through these questions and you’ll be able to determine the quality of your dentist without a doubt.