Questions to Ask a New Dentist

Choosing a new dentist can be a daunting experience; after all, you depend on this person to care for your dental needs. By asking questions during your first exam, you can establish the dentist/patient relationship and determine if the dentist is a good fit for you. If you do not feel comfortable with the dentist's answers to your questions, you should consider finding another dentist.

Experience

• Finding an experienced dentist is important; you don't want to go to a dentist who could potentially jeopardize your dental health. The following questions can help you gauge the experience level of your new dentist.

  "How long have you been practicing dentistry?"

  "Do you take continuing education classes?"

  If you are scheduled for a certain medical procedure, you should ask the doctor how long he has been performing the procedure and how many he has performed in the past year.

Insurance and Payment

• Dental work can get expensive. When deciding on a dentist, you should ask the following questions regarding insurance and payment planning.

  "What types of insurance do you accept?"

  "What are my payment options (i.e., cash, check, credit card)?"

  "Is financing available?"

Location

• Finding a dentist close to your home or work is convenient. When you call a new dentist, you should ask about the location of the practice. If you live in a city, you may wish to inquire about parking options available.

Patient Comfort

• Some dental procedures require the use of anesthesia. You should ask the following questions before you have any dental work done.

  "What types of anesthesia do you use (if any)?"

  "Does this procedure require the use of pre-medications?"

  "Is nitrous oxide available for my dental procedure?"

Dental Health

• Caring for your dental health requires more than a visit to the dentist every 6 months for a cleaning. You should ask your dentist for advice that you can use between dental appointments.

  "What can I do to improve my dental health?"

  "Should I use a different type of toothpaste or floss?"

  "Do you recommend using a fluoride rinse?"

Emergency Care

• Unfortunately, dental emergencies can arise when the dental office is closed. You should ask your dentist whether emergency care is provided and whether someone is available after hours to help you should you break a tooth or lose a cap.