Choosing a family dentist is not something that should be done on a whim. Your choice could make a huge difference in the dental health of your whole family. More issues mean more money spent on care. Your dentist also needs to be able to find issues quickly before they degenerate. Besides, good dentists are great at educating children on the importance of dental health, helping them build good habits they’ll keep their whole lives. Let’s take a look at a few important questions to ask before hiring a Clinton family dentistry practice.
What’s Your Experience with Children?
Any dentist can brand itself as a family dentist, but that doesn’t mean that they have extensive experience with children. Some will rebrand their clinic to attract what they believe will be a better clientele. This is why you need to ask how long they’ve been working with children. You should also ask what area they specialized in and what kind of procedures they routinely perform on children.
For instance, if you notice that your children may need orthodontic treatments in the future, it would be wise to work with someone who is either specialized in orthodontics or has extensive verifiable experience.
Can I Get References?
One of the best ways to verify a dentist’s expertise is to check their references. Ask for a few references from new and older clients. That’s because some forms of treatment need time before you can gauge results. In addition, we suggest you also check out any reviews they have online on Google, Yelp, online forums, and social media. Checking before and after pictures in person and on their website can also help, but only once you’ve gotten solid references.
What’s Your Fee Structure?
The next thing you want to know is how you can pay for their services. Most family dentistry clinics offer payment plans, but that’s not something you should assume. Ask if they allow people to make monthly payments or if they have an interest-free payment program. Whether you’re paying out-of-pocket or have coverage, they should be able to accommodate you.
Do You Take X-Rays?
Many dental conditions won’t show signs at the early stages, and the only way to diagnose them is through x-rays. This is why you have to make sure that the dentist uses x-rays as part of their process and that they perform them often. Some will perform x-rays every year, while others will do it before establishing any treatment program. It’s up to you to decide what you feel is better.
Do You have an In-House Lab?
Another thing you should ask if they have an on-site dental lab. This could end up saving you a lot of time on things like dental restoration, appliances, and tooth replacements, among others.
Now that you know a bit more about what to ask a potential family dentist, you can start looking at your options. This is a very important decision for the future of your family, so take your time.
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