Top 5 Qual­i­ties to Look for When Choos­ing a Dentist

With fewer NHS dentists available, it’s becoming more difficult for patients to find the dental care they need. This could be an opportunity for many to explore the benefits of private dental care. By opting for private dental care, you’ll enjoy the luxury of choice. This can mean shopping around for a dentist that resonates with your needs.

If you’re looking for a new dentist in the Warwick area, there are a few things you might consider before registering as a patient. Take your time to shop around and ask questions before you commit. You could even arrange a checkup to determine if the dentist is the right fit for your needs. Read on to learn more about the 5 qualities we recommend looking for in your dental professionals.

1. Expertise and experience

It goes without saying that you want to choose someone with extensive experience in patient care, but you can take this one step further by choosing a dentist with specific experience caring for patients like you. For example, if you are a nervous patient, look for a dentist who knows how to put you at ease. And if you have a growing family, you might want to look for a dentist with experience treating children so that the whole family can visit the dentist together.

2. Range of treatments

It’s helpful if you can find a dentist that offers a wide range of treatments, as this will limit the chances that you will need to be referred elsewhere for treatment. External referrals could mean you have to travel further for treatment, which can be inconvenient. By finding a dentist with a wide range of treatments on offer, you can keep everything under one roof. At the very least, your dentist should offer checkups, dental hygiene, restorative and cosmetic treatments. If you’ve experience tooth loss, you might also want to look for one that offers dental implants.

3. Supportive and understanding

You should always look for a dentist who treats you as a whole person, not just a collection of symptoms. Your dentist should consider your oral health as part of your wider health and work with you to help support you. By building a strong relationship with your dentist, they will be able to monitor your oral health and offer meaningful recommendations.

4. Flexibility

The move towards private dentistry means that patients now have a choice. Dentists are under increasing pressure to move away from the monday to friday, nine to five opening hours structure and offer hours that are better suited to working individuals. This means you can now look for a dentist that offers evening and weekend appointments to suit your needs. This can help to increase the likelihood that you will be able to attend regular checkups without having to miss work or take unpaid leave.

5. Payment plans

A lot of people put off treatment due to the cost, but many dentists now offer payment plans that will ensure a more even distribution of dental care. You don’t have to miss out on treatments that will improve your oral health or boost your confidence. When you choose a private dentist with the option to spread the cost with a payment plan, you increase the options available to you. This could mean a more aesthetic restoration than what would be available on the NHS. Or it could mean accessing treatments like teeth whitening to help boost your confidence in your smile.

Putting it all together

When you put all of the qualities above together, you will find a dental practice that takes a patient-centric approach to care. This will enable you to take a proactive role in your oral health and ensure that you are taking the best steps towards a healthier mouth.

If you’re looking for a new dentist in the Warwick area, come visit our practice to learn more about the treatments we offer and how we can help you to prioritise your oral health.