Your Best Self Blog

6 Signs You Need a New Dentist

BY: Dr. Roy Daniels

Lucky patients know that their dentist will listen to them, give them the personal care they need, produce results they expect and charge affordable prices with understandable billing. In fact, a good dentist often becomes friends with patients and treats them and their family members for life.

But sometimes even a good dentist can turn into one that doesn't meet your oral health needs. It can be a difficult decision to seek a new dentist, especially if you've been with the same one for many years. Here are six signs you need a new dentist:

1.     You can't reach your dentist afterhours.
If you have a dental emergency, you need quick access to dental care. You should be able to reach your dentist or one of her associates easily, 24 hours a day.

2.     The wait at the dentist office has become intolerable.
A well-organised office takes measures to reduce your waiting time. You shouldn't have to wait more than 30 minutes for a scheduled appointment.

3.     Your dentist doesn't listen to you.
Does your dentist seem rushed, impatient or like he's not hearing you? A dentist who doesn't listen may miss a critical diagnosis.

4.     Your dentist pushes a "discount" plan.
Discount plans in which you pay a fee upfront for supposedly reduced dental fees are not valid insurance plans and usually not a good deal for you.  

5.     Your dentist gives you the hard sell for services you don't want.
Offering cosmetic services such as porcelain veneers or tooth whitening is fine, but you shouldn't feel pressured to go through with such procedures.

6.     Your dentist does inferior work.
Occasionally, all dentists can have some work that fails, but it shouldn't happen repeatedly.

If you decide you need a new dentist, write your old dentist a letter explaining why you’re switching. That way you can ask to have your records transferred -- and you'll feel less awkward if you have a chance meeting.

Have a question for a dentist? Ask below or @OralCareHealth Australia, and we’ll get you and answer.