Recently, I was asked how to choose a Dentist. I think that’s actually a great question and the short answer is, “Carefully.” The truth is most of us do not know if our doctor, dentist, mechanic, A/C guy or any skilled professional is doing a good job. We know if they listened, fixed the issue we asked about, and what they charged us. But maybe I can lift the veil and demystify dentistry a bit.
There are two parts in considering if you are at the best dentist for you. One part is subjective. Every office is going to have a different vibe, type of decor, temperature setting, etc. Dentists are people and will, of course, vary in their level of comfort, congeniality, and approach to the common problems. To that end, you can check online reviews, ask your friends, and maybe even visit their websites or waiting rooms. Also, once dentists are out in the world we are free to pursue either a wider or narrower scope of practice.
Each of us can choose to limit our practice to certain procedures, or age groups. Since dentistry is both an art and a science, there is room for judgement calls. Some dentists will want to restore every stain and crack in every tooth as soon as possible and there are some reasonable arguments for that. Some others will prefer to observe shallow cracks and stains that do not seem to be actively decaying or cavitated, and that too is defensible.
The second area in consideration in finding your dentist is professionalism. All dentists in Texas (really the requirements are similar everywhere in the US) have demonstrated that they have met at least the minimum standards to graduate from an accredited school. These dentists have passed two national written exams and a regional board exam. The regional board exam includes two days of treating patients before a panel of examiners. One can expect that any dentist you visit will have at least that level of competency. Also, there are certain standards that should always be met because they are required by our governing body, The Texas Board of Dental Examiners. You should expect blood pressure, oral cancer screenings, and a health history check to be reviewed at every visit. The doctor will review current diagnostic radiographs comparing the data to your observable oral condition. Active decay, infections, and gum disease should be treated and your conditions, with options, clearly explained to you.
You may ask yourself did the dentist or hygienist adequately explain what they were doing and why? Did you walk away understanding the state of your gum and tooth health? Did a team member spend time explaining and demonstrating proper toothbrush or floss technique? Are your gums probed at least once a year, confirming health below the gum line? When you are presented with a treatment plan, did you have a chance to ask why and what your options were?
Visiting the dentist is an intimate experience. There are few places in life where we find ourselves in such close proximity to another professional. It is best for everyone involved to have a trusting relationship, where both parties are free to respectfully speak to one another. Your care matters to us. Please reach out if we can be of service to your family.
Wishing you our best,
Jonathan Tucker, DDS
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