In a previous blog, we explained how choosing the right dentist is crucial for those of you dealing with dental anxiety or phobia. In reality, this doesn’t just apply to individuals affected by dental anxiety. Choosing the right dentist can make any dental treatment more enjoyable, whether it’s dental implant treatment or just a routine cleaning.
Studies show that 32% of Americans haven’t made a visit to their dentist in the last year and a half. This can be due to dental anxiety or due to difficulty finding a dentist. We encourage our readers to truly take the time to find a dentist with the right qualifications and experience. Not going to the dentist shouldn’t be an issue that is taken lightly. Even simple routine cleaning from your dentist are absolutely critical for the health of your smile. With that being said, Dr. Andrew Mortensen wants to explain the most important tips to keep in mind when choosing a dentist here in Fountain Valley, CA.
How do I Choose the Right Dentist?
Now that you’ve decided to find a professional for your dental needs, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed with where to start. To help you during this process, we’ve compiled a list of the top tips you should follow while looking for the best dentist for you:
Remember the benefits: First off, it’s important to keep the oral benefits of going to the dentist in mind. This is especially important if you have specific needs for your dental treatment. This process can sometimes feel a little daunting, so just remember how this dental work will benefit your oral health if you’re feeling overwhelmed or frustrated. Keeping the benefits in mind will remind you how important this task is and help you put in the effort to find the right dentist for you.
Identify your specific needs: If you have specific dentistry needs, identify them while looking for a dentist. For example, you should find a dentist that specializes in pediatric dentistry if you’re looking for a dentist for your child or find a dentist like Dr. Andrew Mortensen who has plenty of experience with dental implants if you need restorative dental work.
Look at your dentist’s qualification: Look at your dentist’s education, experience, and professional affiliations. This will help you choose a reputable dentist that can provide you with high-quality dental treatment.
Location: The location of your dentist can often be a forgotten aspect of this process. Remember, you should be going to the dentist at least twice a year, so you want to choose an office that is relatively close to you. If you happen to choose a dentist that requires a long commute, scheduling can be slightly more difficult.
Ask friends and family: If you’re unsure about where to start, ask your friends and family members where they go for dental work. Finding a dentist off recommendations will help ensure that you find a qualified dentist because most people won’t recommend a dentist they are not pleased with.
Look at reviews: If you can’t find any recommendations from friends or family members, look online to see what others in your community are saying about a particular dentist. Yelp or Google reviews are a great tool you should use to find out other patients’ experiences with a dentist you’re considering.
Financing: If you’re going to need a particularly expensive treatment, look at the financing options available at each of your potential choices. Also, talk to the office manager to see if they can answer any of your questions about their cost and financing options.
Meet with your dentist: While all of this research is helpful when deciding a dentist, there’s nothing that can beat talking to your potential dentist face to face. During this meeting, you can ask specific questions you have in mind while seeing if you feel comfortable with them.
Patients in Fountain Valley Choose Dr. Mortensen
With all this in mind, we’d like to encourage our readers to contact our office. Dr. Mortensen has years of experience in the field of dentistry and is known as a trustworthy dental provider in the community. He has particularly impressive experience when it comes to the dental implant process. Countless patients here in Fountain Valley have benefitted from this natural-looking, stable restoration. If you’re ready to treat your missing teeth with dental implants, contact our office today! You can be one step closer to a complete smile by calling to schedule your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Mortensen!