Tips for Choosing the Right Dentist

by Dr. Paivi Samant

Dr. Paivi Samant is dedicated to providing unmatched quality cosmetic dentistry and dental care by utilizing state-of-the-art technology designed for patient comfort!

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Dentist near me or the right dentist in Gainesville

Brushing and flossing alone will not substitute for regular checkups with a dentist. These checkups are essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Finding the right dentist for you and your family involves a combination of factors. A good relationship with a dentist and their office is an important thing to have. Here are a few tips for finding the right dental care for your oral health needs.

Reputation

Finding the right dentist can seem like an overwhelming task, but it gets a lot easier once you know where to look to find good candidates, what to look for when comparing them and finally what questions to ask to determine which best fits your needs and situation. We often ask our friends, family, colleagues or co-workers for recommendations. In theory this referral system works but unfortunately we all learn from time to time that in practice it can be very unsatisfying.

The Internet is where you will find the greatest amount of information in the least amount of time. Search for online reviews to see what patients and other dental professionals are saying about the dentist. Be careful though because the Internet often is filled with automated professional marketing reviews falsely generated as a misleading sales tool.

Honesty

Before embarking on treatment, get a clear understanding at your own level of what is to be done and what the outcome might be. Good dentists take a personal interest in patients and their health. Good and honest dentists will always discuss all possible treatment options. They will explain the positives and negatives of every option so that the patient may choose on their own. Also, they will share in the interests of the patient by giving their honest opinion. As a patient it is also very comforting going through any procedure when you feel as though your dentist really cares and isn’t just working for a paycheck.

Price

High-quality dental work usually lasts a very long time, whereas low-quality work may fall out or decay out in a few years. The price of dental work is not the best way to judge quality; rather, pay attention to the time the dentist takes to do the work. High-quality dentistry cannot be done assembly-line style; it takes time and meticulous attention to detail.

Questions to Ask a Dentist

You and your dentist will be long-term oral health care partners; therefore, you should find someone you can be comfortable with. To find a suitable dentist to meet your needs, consider asking the following questions as a starting point:

  • What are the office hours?
  • Is the office easy to get to from work or home?
  • What is the dentist’s education and training?
  • What areas does the dentist specialize in?”
  • What’s the dentist’s approach to preventive dentistry?
  • What type of anesthesia is the dentist certified to administer?
  • What is the dentist’s office policy on missed appointments?

The key to a good patient/dentist relationship is finding one you can trust with your oral health. Don’t be afraid to shop around a little bit. Try a couple of different options before you choose the one that is right for you. You’re looking for something that is pleasant enough to keep your coming back, so give yourself the time to find one.

We invite you to stop by Smart Smile Dentistry, here in Gainesville, FL. We always strive to provide our patients with the personal, professional, quality dental care they need, while making it convenient, painless, and affordable. Our doctors and staff are dedicated to improving your dental health! Call us today, and let us give you the care you deserve!


Smart Smile Dentistry | 4404 NW 36 Ave | Gainesville, FL 32606 | (352) 376-5120 – Map