It is a crucial decision to choose the right dentist and dental practice. For those who want to choose a new dentist, this blog discusses the top 5 key points to consider. With some research and being aware of the right questions to ask, it should be much easier to go for a trusted dentist, like the Dental Practice in Fleet, who can properly care for you and your family for a long time.
1. Registration
All dental technicians, dental therapists, dental hygienists, dental nurses, and dentists should be approved with the General Dental Council (GDC) so that they can legally operate in the UK. Generally speaking, the GDC is the organisation that governs dental professionals throughout the UK. Using the GDC website, you can check if or not your dentist is registered, as well as the kind of qualifications they hold. Furthermore, GDC offers a useful checklist that outlines the standards you should expect from your dentist.
Apart from personal dental technicians being individually registered, it is also a requirement that the dental practice should be approved with the Care Quality Commission (CDC). In general, the CDC is the independent regulator of social and health care services throughout the UK and offers guidance, advice, and even regular inspection reports to assist you in choosing a dental practice. Once you check out these two websites, you can understand the standards of treatment and care that you should expect when going for a dentist and dental surgery.
2. The Dental Team and the Dental Practice
Your choice of a dental practice should be clean, well-organised and tidy, with helpful and welcoming practice stuff. Your dentist must always be sympathetic, patient, approachable, and professional with all kinds of patients, and you must also feel comfortable to inquire him or her about any questions you might have. A reliable dental practice must be transparent regarding their fees and pricing and you should also ensure that they issue you with a written treatment plan, as well as an estimated cost of treatment.
3. Qualifications and Training
Every dentist should complete at least five years of undergraduate training and must have a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, along with the letters “BChD” or ”BDS” after their name. It is also necessary that dental clinicians attend regular training to make sure their techniques and skills remain up-to-date. If you are choosing a dental practice, check out for proof of skills, additional qualifications, and interests in specialist areas. At times, some dentists might have extra expertise in a specialist area, like caring for anxious patients or providing specific types of cosmetic dentistry.
4. Convenient Location and Hours
Opting for a dental practice that is convenient and easy for you to travel to from work or home will make attending frequent checkups much easier and assist you in arriving on time. If you work full-time, you might want to look out for a practice providing late appointments or lunchtime. Also, many practices will accommodate family bookings, which means that if you have kids, you can all be attended on at the same time.
5. The Dental Services Provided
Apart from routine dental care, many dental practices now provide a wide range of services. There is a variety of cosmetic dental treatments available, so your dentist must give an option of treatments to assist you in achieving a healthy smile and mouth. By looking at the dental practice website, you should expect the best dental practices offer a clear, informative website with offers, news and information, which are all good signs that your dental practice is determined to attract and maintain new patients.
Emergency dental treatment is another aspect to consider when selecting a dental practice. Since dental emergencies happen, it is crucial to know the emergency dental services provided by your dental practice, regardless if it is during usual practice hours or even at the weekends.