A good dentist can contribute significantly to a great smile and good dental health. Good dental health is an important factor in overall health. A good dentist can provide routine oral care to address minor problems before they become major (and more expensive) problems. If you aren’t satisfied with your current dental care, it’s probably time to switch dentists.
Dental Care in the U.S.
It is reported that about 66% of U.S. adults went to a dentist in the past year. Those visits were made to over 202,000 dentists in active practice in the country, according to the American Dental Association. Given the number of dentists and the varying circumstances of individual dental needs, there is bound to be some dissatisfaction with a particular dentist, on top of other reasons to switch dentists, like household moves and changes of insurance plans.
11 Times to Switch Dentists
It may be time to switch dentists if you experience:
- A cold, unfriendly, indifferent, or apparently uninterested staff. It is worse if the dentist himself or herself has a poor “bedside manner,” including not listening to your concerns, being overly rushed, and being non-attentive.
- Great difficulty getting appointments that work with your personal/family schedule.
- Excessive wait times before appointments.
- No sense of appreciation or value as a patient. (After all, you expect quality service for the money, and you should expect to be treated accordingly.)
- Sloppy, inefficient office operations, including factors like losing paperwork, failing to properly file insurance claims, excessive charges, and unexpected schedule changes.
- Poor communications.
- Outdated dental practices; not using modern equipment, advanced tools, and techniques.
- Lack of order and cleanliness.
- Service prices have increased unreasonably.
- Problems in dealing with the billing department.
- Dissatisfaction or discomfort with the recommended treatment plan.
You may also need to switch dentists if you have moved away from easy access to that dental office, if your dental insurance plan has changed, or if friends or family have recommended another practice that sounds like it may be a better fit for your needs.
How to Choose a Good Dentist
Here’s how to choose a good dentist so you are less likely to need to switch dentists in the future. First, understand your dental insurance plan and what doctors/dental offices are included in the plan coverage. Second, ask for recommendations and do your research. Consider the services that potential new dentists offer that are in alignment with your needs. Consider the credentials of potential dentists. Read online reviews. Third, consider accessibility. Is the dental office easy to get to from your home or work? Do they have convenient office hours? Fourth, if you have questions, call the dental office and get your questions answered. Ensure they accept your dental insurance. Fifth, make your first appointment and evaluate your experience carefully.
Seek Professional Dental Care
Contact Old Mt. Pleasant Dentistry, located right off Ben Sawyer Blvd in Mt. Pleasant. S.C. for dental care you can trust. We use treatment plans that are practical using the most advanced technology. We offer routine dental care and procedures, including extractions and root canals. To us, the patient is the most important person in the office.