Finding the Right Dentist for You (2024 update)
Lately, I have written a few posts about dental employees. Now it’s time to turn the tables back on those we serve…YOU!
The dentist-patient relationship is a unique one. There are patients who will travel great distances to see their beloved dentists. This is not to say that they love going to the dentist, but trusting someone with one’s mouth can be a nerve-wracking leap of faith, so once they’ve found the “right” one, they are likely to become patients for life.
The most important question I ask a patient who is new to the practice is, “Why are you no longer going to your old dentist?” It may simply be that the patient has moved from a different city or that their dentist has retired. However, when I encounter a patient who has had a bad experience with a previous dentist, the answer I get will give me insight into how I can improve the experience for this patient. More critically, the answer can guide the clinical and management decisions I make to universally improve the experience for all patients. Ultimately, I know I can’t win them all, but each patient represents an invaluable teaching tool for me.
It turns out that the right dentist is more than just the dentist herself. Patients are critical of auxiliary staff members, office décor and overall atmosphere, and operational aspects of a dental office as well. When a new patient presents himself for the first time, he is “interviewing” the dentist for a potential long term “relationship”.
Below are some expectations and desires commonly cited by patients:
Dentist
-caring and respectful
-gentle and non-threatening
-does good dental work with minimal complications
-honest when communicating diagnoses
-does not oversell elective dental procedures
-good with patients of all ages
Staff
-caring and friendly
-works well with dentist as a team
-able to answer questions if dentist is unavailable
-gentle and non-threatening
-polite on the telephone and in person
Décor and overall atmosphere
-clean and calming
-modern infection control practices
-unobtrusive music
-comfortable dental chairs
-television as a distraction tool
Operations
-flexible office hours
-being seen on time
-accommodate emergencies
-assistance in dental insurance claim submissions
-reasonable fees
-informative and easily navigable website
-modern technology used
When it comes to finding the right dentist, personal preferences are at play. My advice is to find someone you can trust, and somewhere you feel comfortable enough to return every six months.
I am proud to say that Leslieville Dentistry checks all the boxes, and will continue to strive to do better in the many years to come.
If you’re happy and you know it, REFER A FRIEND!
