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Medical Forum / General / Dentistry / September 2005What is the best way to pick a good dentist?
I need to choose a dentist - I don't have much idea how - but im guessing choose one from a more affluent area, make sure when I get a look at there office they have up to date equipment and give the impression they make pretty good money. Ask the dentist how long they have been in business. Would it be ok to ask them if they have ever been sued or had a complaint filed against them and the nature of the complaint? Is there a way to get this info whithout them knowing it? I dont check this often so if you could send a copy to firethorn707@yahoo.com that would be very nice. Thanks so much >I need to choose a dentist - I don't have much idea how - but im > guessing choose one from a more affluent area, In a more affluent area, you will pay more. >make sure when I get a > look at there office they have up to date equipment I suppose that up to date equipments is a good thing. It (like the rest of the office) should certainly be neat, clean and well maintained. >and give the > impression they make pretty good money. Oops, not exactly sure what you mean about that! It sounds like you may be looking for a "boutique" practice. If they offer you a cappuccino and a neck rub...run! If you end up in a slick sales pitch for thousands of $ of veneers and tooth whitening before they even bother to address your basic oral health, you are in the wrong place! > Ask the dentist how long they > have been in business. Would it be ok to ask them if they have ever > been sued or had a complaint filed against them and the nature of the > complaint? Is there a way to get this info whithout them knowing it? Some states have a web site where you can find out all that information for any licensed practictioner, mine does. The sad fact is, it is very difficult for the average dental consumer to evaluate the quality of received dental care. To answer your basic question; your best bet is to ask your co-workers, neighbors, and friends. If one name keeps coming up with satisfied patients, that that is probably your best bet. > I dont check this often so if you could send a copy to > firethorn707@yahoo.com that would be very nice. Nope, you gotta check here. > Thanks so much You are welcome. Vaughn > The sad fact is, it is very difficult for the average dental consumer to > evaluate the quality of received dental care. To answer your basic question; > your best bet is to ask your co-workers, neighbors, and friends. If one name > keeps coming up with satisfied patients, that that is probably your best bet. I would add that I get a few shoppers that come up the stairs and ask to speak to the dentist. I'm sure it's because they're beginning their evaluation of me. I ask what it is they are looking for, what problems they are having, and why they feel they need to change dentists. I am evaluating as well as we talk. If I think I can co-exist with this individual, I tell them how I think we should start, and I tell them what our policy is for missed appointments (three missed with insufficient notice, and there are no more appointments; they come when we have an opening). Often that is the reason they are switching: the original practitioner has said "ENOUGH!". I evaluate the expression on their faces and then decide what to say next. It should be mentioned that this approach is best put on paper and signed, and there are others here that are doing that in a more rigorous fashion. I'm heading in that direction as well. But, just going in and asking if you could have a few words with the practitioner is not a bad idea. Be open about it: you are shopping for a dentist and tell them what you think you need. JMO, and HTH SP  SignatureTake out the TRASH to reply >> The sad fact is, it is very difficult for the average dental consumer to >> evaluate the quality of received dental care. To answer your basic question; [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >evaluation of me. I ask what it is they are looking for, what problems >they are having, and why they feel they need to change dentists. Sadly patients have no way of truly "evaluating." When they want to know what school, what whatever, I laugh (inside). > I am >evaluating as well as we talk. If I think I can co-exist with this [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > >SP > >> The sad fact is, it is very difficult for the average dental > >> consumer to evaluate the quality of received dental care. To answer [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > When they want to know what school, what whatever, I laugh (inside). As the OP suggested originally, the School Of Practice In The Real World, or SOPITRW, is the one that counts. <the Pipe stares sagely into the horizon....> <.........and tripps over a crack in the sidewalk....> SP SignatureTake out the TRASH to reply >When they want to know what school, what whatever, I laugh (inside). due diligence... you'd cry if they did not go to school >>I need to choose a dentist - I don't have much idea how - but im >> guessing choose one from a more affluent area, [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > I suppose that up to date equipments is a good thing. It (like the rest of >the office) should certainly be neat, clean and well maintained. REPLY Yup, absence of spittoons ........ is a good sign. The ones that sit on the floor! >>and give the >> impression they make pretty good money. [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > You are welcome. > Vaughn Not looking for a boutique - just want the best job on my teeth i can get. I'm assuming if they do a crappy job they would have no clients and hence no money. >Not looking for a boutique - just want the best job on my teeth i can >get. I'm assuming if they do a crappy job they would have no clients >and hence no money. Hah. Good one! > Not looking for a boutique - just want the best job on my teeth i can > get. I'm assuming if they do a crappy job they would have no clients > and hence no money. Wrong assumption. Some of the worst dentists make lots of money. Many of the busiest dentists in my part of the country advertise very cheap prices, and obtain patients who are seduced by the low cost, but who cannot evaluate the low quality they recieve. Sometimes this treatment has to be redone at a cost much greater than it would have been, if it had been done right to start with. It's better to evaluate a dentist on the contents of his character, not the color of his money. ;-) - dentaldoc Sometimes you get what you pay for and sometimes you get less. ;-) Dartos > Wrong assumption. > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > - dentaldoc >Sometimes you get what you pay for and sometimes you get less. > >;-) >Dartos Gee I think Steven Fawks is about to borrow that phrase from you ... its catchy. >> Wrong assumption. >> [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >> >> - dentaldoc > Wrong assumption. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > cheap prices, and obtain patients who are seduced by the low cost, but > who cannot evaluate the low quality they recieve. Could you be more specific. What is "low quality". What are some of the worst case scenarios (still likely to occur). > It's better to evaluate a dentist on the contents of his character, not > the color of his money. ;-) Do you think if a dentist (with a good reputation) hires an associate, he has an obligation to ensure the associate does good quality work? > - dentaldoc That's an easy one ,,,,,,,, your local prothonotary's office holds the key! Joel >I need to choose a dentist - I don't have much idea how - but im >guessing choose one from a more affluent area, make sure when I get a [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >Thanks so much > I need to choose a dentist - I don't have much idea how - but im > guessing choose one from a more affluent area, make sure when I get a [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Thanks so much Try contacting a dental specialist (someone who's practice is limited to periodontics, orthodontics, endodontics) in your area, they work with multiple general dentists and can give you good information. Another possibility is to contact a dental school if there is one in your area. State Boards of dentistry have information on actions that have been taken against dentitst in the state. Personalities vary, so don't be shy about leaving an office if you don't fit the personality of the office or dentist. so much > Try contacting a dental specialist (someone who's practice is limited > to periodontics, orthodontics, endodontics) in your area, they work > with multiple general dentists and can give you good information. Actually in dental school they teach all dentists to respond with the following phrase: Dr. X?? Good Dentist! > so much > > Actually in dental school they teach all dentists to respond with > the following phrase: > > Dr. X?? Good Dentist! In other Words... Dr. Eichen??....thoughtful pause.... Very good dentist!! > so much >> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Dr. X?? Good Dentist! I must have missed that day. Things were a little different when ethics were discussed the next day. Not that you would give a rat's......... I have given the above response several times in the past - get a specialist's opinion. I quit doing it because of knee jerk comments such as yours - Nice job carabelli You cannot judge a dentist by the expense of his fancy waiting room decor or his hi-tech operating toys. A dentist can be judged by his skills (which you really can't determine unless you too are a dentist) and by his approach to your dental health. If he is more interested in his fancy toys and showplace office than in your welfare and health as an individual human being, consider looking elsewhere. The personal character of the dentist, and his dedication to your dental welfare, are far more important than how shiny the chrome is on the side of the operatory unit. - dentaldoc |
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