Dentist – Knowing When to Find a New One
The biggest reason most people avoid the dentist is because they’ve had a bad experience with one in the past. There is no reason to endure a poor oral healthcare professional when there are so many good ones out there.
One warning sign that it might be time to change dentists is his chair side manner. You don’t need someone that will baby you but you do need to feel comfortable with the way you’re being treated. This is your mouth and ultimately your health that is involved here. If the person you are trusting to help you take care of your mouth isn’t making you feel comfortable or at ease then it’s time to move on to someone who does. You don’t need to be coddled or catered to,
you need someone who will listen to what your needs are and who is willing to help you ensure that your mouth is the healthiest it can be. An oral healthcare professional that makes you feel uncomfortable is going to keep you from getting the treatment you may need.
Coupled with his making you feel comfortable is listening. Your dentist needs to listen to you. If he doesn’t list about the simple things like questions about cleanings or other procedures then he’s not doing his job. He’s there not only to help you keep your mouth healthy but to help you understand what is going on. You can’t make an informed decision about an impending procedure without all the facts. If he’s not willing to answer those questions or doesn’t seem to have time for you then you shouldn’t have time to deal with him.
Excessive pain, is another great sign it’s time to let that dentist go for another one. Fillings, root canals, and even pulling teeth are all going to be painful. No ifs, ands, or buts there will be pain involved but the best doctors do their best to make the pain as minimal as possible. Most of them will even tell you to let them know during a procedure if it’s too much pain and they’ll do something about it. If yours isn’t willing to try to make you comfortable during the procedure then there is no reason to continue seeing him.
Everyone is going to have a bad day every now and then. If it’s an isolated incident then there is no reason to find someone new. However, if you dentist has a poor chair side manner, doesn’t listen or answer questions, and doesn’t pay attention to the amount of pain you’re in then it’s time to find another. There are many great sites out there that can help you find your next oral healthcare professional so that you don’t have to suffer or be afraid t climb into that chair.
