Almost as soon as our children have those cute little 4 front teeth, as parents, we are anxious to ensure a dental care routine is established at home.
The excitement of their first strawberry flavoured toothpaste, and tiny little toothbrush is a small rite of passage in any young child’s life and the brushing soon becomes a normal part of everyday life, first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
As time goes on, an early introduction to the dentist chair and all the associated smells and equipment goes a long way in helping to allay any fears your child may have about ongoing routine dental check ups.
But how can you make sure you are choosing the right dentist for you, and your child.
These days, when making such decisions, sometimes the simplest way to glean information is from Social Media. A request for recommendations in your nearest town will ultimately bring many suggestions and testimonials.
Once you have picked 3 or 4 which seem to have had glowing reviews, you can then make an preliminary appointment to go and visit them, before you make your final choice. As this could be a long term commitment, it’s really a good idea to take your time and research each one thoroughly before you decide.
Unlike choosing a hairdresser, where you can ring the changes whenever you feel like it, your dentist is part of your overall healthcare. They will hold sensitive records about you, and your loved ones, and are almost as important as your family doctor.
Location
Consider which location is best for you. Is the journey straightforward, and the parking easy.
Will you want to combine a dental appointment with a shopping trip if you have a busy lifestyle.
Initial Phone Enquiry
How easy was it to get through on the phone to the receptionist. Were you greeted like a potential valued patient, in a helpful and friendly way. Consider that the first point of contact is the ambassador for any business, and can reflect in either a positive, or sometimes negative way on the rest of the practice.
Initial Visit
Was the building welcoming, and well maintained. Whilst most people don’t actually look forward to visiting the dentist, a light and airy, calm atmosphere can help to make it more bearable. Was the receptionist professional and efficient both to you, and the other patients.
Equipment
Most dental surgeries have leaflets available, which explain what procedures they carry out, and detailing their up to the minute equipment, such as autoclaves at www.nicersmile.com, which guarantee high levels of hygiene and reduce the risk of bacteria transference.
Who is actually going to provide your dental care, is just as important as maintaining your oral health, so choose your dentist wisely. You want to feel confident and reassured that they can provide you with a warm friendly environment, modern efficient equipment, and expert and professional advice and treatment. Nothing less than the best will do for you and your family.