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In 2019, did you know that 64.9% of adults and 85.9% of children had a dental visit for one reason or another?

And while those percentages are pretty good, there are still some families who have yet to start choosing a dentist for their needs.

However, finding the best family dentist can make your family’s lives easier and less stressful overall.

So if you’re in need of help picking a dentist, here are 9 questions to start with!

1. Do You Have References?

References are so important to see what kind of reputation your dentist has. So it’s important to ask for a reference list in order to reach out to those who have had any services with them.

And of course, you want to see mostly positive experiences from their practice. But, don’t be swayed away from any negatives, because you can’t please everyone in today’s society.

A good rule of thumb is to reach out to at least 5 to 8 different references to get a feel for their experiences. And ask them any questions you might have concerns about.

2. What Are Your Specialties?

Some dentists run their practice with overall dental needs in mind. However, some specialize in certain areas. Therefore, it’s always important to ask about their specializations to ensure they meet your needs.

For example, some pride their practice in more extreme procedures like root canals. And others only work with children and focus on their needs.

But whatever the case, remember you need a family dental practice for your household. This should ensure everyone, whether adult or child, is taken care of.

3. What Kind of X-Rays Are Taken?

Some dentists don’t always take proper X-rays at the proper times. And asking about their X-ray policy and procedures can save you any stress.

X-rays are important to make sure the dentist knows what’s going on. And they should also have a regular schedule of conducting these. This allows them to monitor your teeth and jaw, should any problems arise.

If they avoid this question or don’t seem to have a good policy in mind, this may be a red flag for your family.

4. Will My Satisfaction Be Guaranteed?

Make sure your dentist always has your best interest in mind. In other words, make sure they can guarantee your satisfaction to the best of their ability. This will ensure your family is taken care of.

Always remember, teeth are fragile to work with. And because of that, your first fix may not always be the best. And if that’s the case, make sure your dentist is able to reanalyze his work and make the necessary changes.

They should always be willing to work with you to give you the best care.

5. Can You Help With a Preventative Plan?

Ask your dentist if they can help you with a plan to prevent any further damage in the future. This can save you time and money in the long run if you’re taking the proper care.

This is especially important for children so that they do not disrupt the growth of their adult teeth. Therefore, your dental practice should help you come up with ways for your family to avoid major problems in the future.

6. Do You Offer Payment Plans?

If you should ever need a major operation, it’s no secret that it will most likely cost quite a bit of money. And for those without insurance, it will cost even more out of pocket.

And to take precautions, always ask if they offer payment plans. This will help greatly in the long run when you can’t afford the full cost upfront.

7. What Is Your Waiting Policy?

Nowadays, it’s important to know what their practice’s waiting policy is. Especially with COVID-19, no one wants to wait for hours in a small waiting room with other people around.

So, ask about waiting times and how they are taking the proper precautions to battle the virus. Keep in mind, they do have other patients and give them some leeway when waiting for a few minutes.

8. Do You Provide Estimates or Quotes?

Asking if they provide estimates or quotes can be great when you need to save some money. It also helps you find the proper dentist that fits your financial needs.

And if you’re having a problem with your teeth, this can help you get a feel for the dentist and how he runs things. They should give you a rundown on cost, procedure, and what to expect overall.

9. Do You Provide a Treatment Schedule?

Of course, each person’s teeth and oral care will be different from the next. So you may end up needing to see your dentist more often than your family member.

And this is important to know from your dentist, that way you know how often to expect to visit.

Plus, if they provide you with a specific schedule, this could be a good sign of knowing that they are making sure your individual needs are met. But, always ask for the reasoning behind the scheduling to ensure you know what’s going on with your oral health.

Best Family Dentist

Having the best family dentist is so important for the well-being of your household.

And hopefully, these 9 dentist questions will help you find the best match for you in your town.

So if you’re in need of any dental services in the Indianapolis area, contact us today! We will take the best care of you here at Southeast Family Dental!