How to Find a Good Dentist & What Should I Look For In A Dentist?

Finding A Good Dentist

First of all, remember that each person is unique. Everybody has their own interests and opinions. Nobody will ever be able to win over everyone. Sometimes personalities just don't mesh, whether it's the receptionist's demeanor, the hygienist's chattiness, or the dentist's sense of humor.

But if you know what's most important, you may locate a fantastic "dentist in Downey" who offers reasonable dental treatment and will take good care of the smiles of you and your family for years to come.

Having said that, your primary concern while trying to figure out how to select a dentist should be what the dentistry industry refers to as "Standard of Care."

What Qualities Should I Look for in a Dentist?

Aside from dental insurance, office hours, and personalities, here are five questions to ask to identify a dentist that upholds moral principles and provides the finest care.

To determine if their office is a suitable fit for you, you can then follow your instincts or simply test them out for a checkup. Nothing obligates you to continue going to a dentist's office that you dislike or don't feel at ease in.

1. Are There Dental Hygienists There?

Dental hygienists are essential when looking for a dentist near me, but one of the first questions I ask while researching potential dentists is whether or not they employ one. If not, why not?

A few dentists prefer to perform their own cleanings. Absolutely fine. However, the dentist's lack of a hygienist can be a warning sign that their office is expanding and that their practice is still relatively new. That's not necessarily a terrible thing, but it does imply that they won't have as much expertise as, say, a dentist who employs two or three dental hygienists.

Ask who will be cleaning your home when you phone to make your first appointment. Is it the dental hygienist or the dentist?

2. Care Quality

Ask the dental hygienist whether they are conducting a regular period chart during your visits if you have an appointment for a checkup. Verify how frequently they do it. If the dentist's office isn't examining your gums and measuring the amount of bone surrounding your teeth, it's a warning sign that they aren't providing high-quality care.

3. For how long does a typical dental cleaning last?

Next, inquire about the duration of the dental cleaning appointments. It should never, we repeat, never take less than 15 minutes to clean your teeth during a hygiene appointment.

Go somewhere else if you leave after ten minutes. Even if you have the cleanest teeth in the world, measuring your gums, removing plaque, and polishing every tooth takes longer. If the dentist or hygienist only has 10-15 minutes with you, at most, they cannot physically perform a competent job caring for your mouth.

For a new patient appointment or checkup, you should typically plan to spend 45 to 90 minutes at the dentist's office.

Never allow yourself to feel hurried. If you do, there is probably a higher likelihood that your dental health will not be given enough attention.

4. How frequently the office performs X-rays.

Although most dentists in your region will always say if your dental X-rays are covered by insurance as a courtesy, they shouldn't base the services they provide you with on your insurance advantages.

It could be a warning sign if your dentist or hygienist advises getting X-rays because your insurance says you should.

5. Control of Infection

It's time to think about finding a new dentist if your dentist in 90241 and his or her office don't follow good infection control procedures.

By infection control, we mean practices like using gloves, masks, preventing cross-contamination (when one clean object contacts another, causing the transmission of germs), and properly sterilizing all dental tools.

Is anyone using their bare hands to touch objects they shouldn't be? similar to a tool or suction? If they are, they might be lax in other aspects of infection control. That is not what a quality dental practice should be like!

Conclusion

The best dentist in Downey, Monica Puentes DDS, focuses on developing effective treatment plans. Our knowledgeable staff provides you a smile that is both attractive and healthy. Our goal is to make you smile with our welcoming environment. Call (562) 861-3181 to schedule a meeting or visit our website for more details.