When it comes to choosing a dentist, there are some very important aspects to take into consideration.
What to consider when choosing a dentist?
Here are the 7 factors to consider when choosing a dentist:
1. Attention to patient needs
All patients are different from each other and consequently so are their needs, their expectations and the treatments to which they must eventually undergo.
It therefore becomes necessary to fully understand not only the physical and objective needs of each one but also and above all their fears and anxieties.
The idea of "pain" is often associated with the thought of the "dentist", the discomfort caused by the "puncture of anesthesia" ... and this was certainly true in the past ...
Today, however, this is no longer the case, there are new cutting-edge techniques and treatments that can eliminate the memory of these negative experiences.
It, therefore, becomes necessary to listen to your patients, give them time to express their emotions and then try to solve any problems together: the Dentist must also be a bit of a psychologist, in order to better understand the need and customize the treatment to the maximum.
2. Dental Specialties and Teamwork
One of the things that should not be underestimated when choosing a dentist is to make sure that the practice is able to offer a "complete service".
Dentistry is differentiated into about fifteen different branches (surgery, endodontics, orthodontics, periodontology, gnathology ...) which are very different from each other and require continuous updating.
For a professional it is not possible, nor even right, to update himself in an excellent and complete way in all branches: a doctor who excels in surgery will almost certainly not be as good at orthodontics ... it is as if a heart surgeon were also able to be a dermatologist !
A good team is therefore made up of excellent professionals who each dedicate themselves to a few specialties, but united by their team goal: to achieve the maximum result for the patient .
A specialized medical team, continuously trained and coordinated, has the ability to fully understand the true needs of the patient and to help him restore his "oral balance".
3. Innovative Technologies
Constant attention to evolution leads to knowing, and therefore to knowing how to invest in the best possible way, in the products and technologies that really make the difference for the patient: the work of a good team cannot in fact ignore the presence of adequate technology and more innovative products / methods that allow you to complete an excellent service.
A study that does not invest in technology and innovation is a study that does not really care about the health of its patients ...
You should not be afraid to ask the dentist if some technologies are present in his office, such as:
The safest and latest new generation scanners for diagnostic radiology (from low dose radiology to 3D CT to highlight bone volumes);
The use of an electronic device that reproduces a 3D image of the dental arches eliminating the use of waxes and mixtures for impressions;
The use of different equipment such as operating microscope and laser to make traditional techniques even more effective;
The latest generation of surgical-prosthetic solutions such as bone regeneration and zygomatic implants;
Computerized systems for viewing the results of the treatment to be carried out and for a more accurate and minimally invasive diagnosis;
3D printing techniques to reduce laboratory times in prosthetic creations;
The use of the Diagnocam for the early diagnosis of caries, without the aid of radiographs;
Oral cavity screening through Oral ID for the early diagnosis of oral cavity tumors;
The use of sedation devices such as nitrous oxide, so called "laughing gas" (both in adults and children);
Interactive monitors to illustrate the various stages of the patient's treatment plan.
To learn about the various dental technologies visit the site:
4. Personalized Treatment Plan
Treatment plans cannot be standardized: each person has their own needs, their own goals and even fears. The patient must be guided and advised at all times towards his/her most appropriate treatment option.
A work plan cannot be started if a shared care agreement has not been reached between patient and doctor, which includes the organization of the clinical part but also the management of the economic aspect, which will be well clarified and established in all the stages of the journey.
A patient who is not fully convinced of the explanations received or who does not feel listened will hardly face the treatment path with motivation and enthusiasm; on the contrary, the patient who felt listened to and who has been involved in the therapeutic choice will most likely follow the shared and agreed treatment plan.
At each stage of the treatment, the doctor will, therefore, be available to answer any questions the patient may have and to clarify their doubts, even by planning intermediate appointments to further discuss the treatment plan.
5. 360 degree service
Some services can really make a difference and be decisive in choosing the dentist with whom you choose to have yourself or your family members treated.
Particular attention in the care of the child: treating a child requires specific preparation, and an extremely oriented approach that only a specially trained pediatric dentist can do;
Particular attention must also be given to the grandfather because a healthy smile has no age!
Possibility of transforming the prosthesis from mobile to fixed;
Reduction of anxiety and fear of the dentist through conscious sedation, both in adults and children;
Payment by installments and customized solutions to meet everyone's needs (eg Pagodil);
Accurate customer care service to respond to patients' doubts, treatment plans or any other information needed;
Care for the environment and details to convey a sense of safety and comfort;
Constant emergency service (for any unexpected problem) with the possibility of contacting a doctor at any time of the day or week.
6. Safety and cleanliness protocols
The prevention from any kind of risk and protection from viruses and bacteria (both for patients and for the staff working in the study) must be a priority for any dental practice.
The safety and hygiene procedures adopted must therefore provide the following:
the implementation of an accurate sanitation program;
the use of sterilization machines and tools that meet high reliability criteria;
the continuous control of the equipment (with the periodic replacement of obsolete instruments with other technologically more advanced ones);
the constant updating of the methods and products used both for the sterilization of instruments and for the sanitization of environments.
Therefore, in addition to technology, a dental studio must constantly invest in the quality of the services offered and in the environment where it wants to welcome its patients in complete safety.
7. From the infant to the wise ...
We have seen how important it is to choose a dentist who can perform any dental treatment, be it on a child, on an adult or on an elderly person. A team of specialized and experienced professionals is of utmost importance in the prevention, care and maintenance of oral health, whatever the age of the patient.
For a large or growing family, going to a single dental office is undoubtedly more comfortable and convenient than visiting two or even three different dental studios depending on the type of treatment sought.
Thus a very young child can undergo a first visit or a first hygiene while being educated on how to correctly care for his/her teeth at home or can undergo the sealing of his/her teeth to remove the risk of caries.
The slightly older brother or sister can be followed, for example, by the orthodontics or be treated on his/her first cavity, while the mom or dad could undergo an aesthetic treatment to align their teeth with invisible braces (Invisalign®) or have a dental whitening.
And let's not forget about the grandparents, with the transformation of prosthesis from mobile to fixed or with personalized care and maintenance treatments of teeth and gums to avoid the onset of periodontal disease (pyorrhea).
In short, a FAMILY DENTIST, who can follow the patient from childhood, through adolescence and up to adulthood, knowing his entire "dental history" and thus always correctly evaluating the best path to take.
If you have read this far it means that you care about the health of your mouth and your smile ... but above all that you are looking for something that really makes a difference for you ... Well, we are very proud to inform you that at Centro Andriolo you will find all this and more.
Visit our website to find out more.