Dentistry has gotten complicated over the past several decades. There are nine areas of specialty, fillings are no longer the norm, and preventive care is as important as repair and replacement. The end result is that choosing a dentist has become an important decision. The good news is that with the assistance of the Internet you’re in a better position to make an informed decision than you have ever been.
Step #1: Ask for a referral. The best place to start your search for a dentist is with your primary care physician. Ask them for several names of dentists that they recommend. However, be careful and don’t stop your research here, what they think is a good dentist is limited to their experience and the information that they have received from others. Friends and family is another source for a referral, but again be cautious, you don’t always know how much research they did to fine their favorite dentist.
Step #2: Look for education and specialty. In all service professions, particularly medical professions, education is of primary importance. A doctor of dentistry is a degree program after receiving an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in science. You want to find a dentist that has continued their education. There are 9 areas of dental specialty:
• Dental public health (dental epidemiology and social health policies),
• Endodontics (root canal therapy and study of diseases of the dental pulp),
• Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (diagnosis, and sometimes the treatment of oral and maxillofacial related diseases),
• Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (\ radiologic interpretation of oral and maxillofacial diseases),
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (extractions, implants, and facial surgery),
• Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics (straightening of teeth and modification of midface and mandibular growth),
• Periodontics (study and treatment of diseases of the periodontium (non-surgical and surgical), and placement and maintenance of dental implants),
• Pediatric dentistry (dentistry for children),
• Prosthodontics (dentures, bridges and the restoration of implants.)
As in other professions Board Certification is an indication that the dentist has continued to stay on top of the information and techniques that are at the cutting edge of the dentistry profession.
Ask your potential dentist some questions about their education and training:
• What dental school did you graduate from?
• What is your undergraduate degree in and from what university?
• How many years have you been practicing as a dentist?
• Have you done any post-graduate work?
• Are you board certified?
• What is your specialty?
Step #3: Research your potential dentist’s standing in their profession. It’s easy to go to the American Dental Association website and do a search by name, city, state or zip code or by specialty to find out if the dentist that you are considering is in good standing. They have 159,000 members so you will be able to compile a list of dentists in your areas by specialty. You can then find a list of those dentists that have been Board Certified as well as have been recognized as the best of their profession on www.BestofUS.com.
Step #4: Use the Internet. The Internet is a tremendous resource to get you up to speed if you have a particular condition. Find out the latest treatments for your condition, find out the details of what is going on in your mouth, understand the terminology used so that you can ask pertinent questions as well as understand what you are being told. Research your potential dentist; find out what other people are saying about them. Find out if they write papers, articles or books on their area of specialty. Find out if they are sought out by their peers as a speaker or educator. Find out if they have been recognized by the media and their peers as the best in their profession. The Internet gives you the opportunity to make an informed decision; use it.
If you’d like a starting point for finding the best dentists in your community start your search on www.BestofUS.com. This website lists the best of class in ten professions, doctors, lawyers, dentists, financial advisors, chiropractors, physical therapists, accountants, mortgage brokers, real estate agents and veterinarians. Best of the United States LLC searches for the best educated, most peer recognized, and most industry recognized authorities in each of the professions. Listed professionals cannot pay to be included on the BestofUS listing. BestofUS.com is the most complete listing of the best professionals on the Internet.