Choosing the right dentist is important

Press, 10 November 1986, Page 12

Choosing the right dentist is important

Word of Mouth

Ry

DESMOND SMITH

8.D.5., D.D.P.H.

Many things in life require little or no concentration on our part. Matters such as dressing, sleeping, drinking come automatically. Not so the question of choosing a dentist, for therein may lie the secret

of a comfortable and healthy mouth for the. rest of our existence.

It is not a good idea to leave the whole subject alone until we have dire need of dental treatment. Then it becomes any port in a storm and the nearest port may be quite the wrong one for you. No, the time to select someone to look after your teeth and surrounding tissues is when you have no pain up there and no known cavities or breakages. That way, both you and the dentist have a chance to, as it were, sit back and think about this mouth of yours. There is no need to hit the panic button because of broken cusps, raging • tooth-ache or an old partial denture which has finally given up the ghost and left you embarrassed without two front teeth. First of all, decide whether it is a general practitioner or a specialist whom you require, for dentists come under many different names. There are those who specialise in the realignment of teeth and jaws (orthodontists), those who treat diseases of the gums (periodontists), those who make a speciality of den-

ture work (prosthodontists), those who do only extractions and surgical work (exodontists or oral surgeons), those who treat children only (pedodondists) and even those who confine themselves to treatment of the nerve canals of the teeth (endodondists). More often than not it will be a general practitioner you require, with referral to a specialist later if you have a rather special problem. But how do you go about selecting a name from the confusing array in the telephone book? Well, most folk choose the easy way and ask their friends.

However, there are other avenues open to you such as contacting the local branch of the Dental Association (the name of the secretary will be available from the District Health Office) and explaining your needs. If you already have a dentist but are moving to another town, ask your present practitioner for advice. He may give you a note to a dentist in the new town, introducing you to him and including a brief resume of your dental treatment so far.

When you do have a name, try to visit the surgery to make your appointment. That way you have a chance to discover the locality in which it is placed, the look of the waiting room and surrounds and the manner of the receptionist.

Many a dental patient

has become much less receptive of competent treatment because of displeasure with the receptionist. Dentistry involves particularly sensitive procedures and there should be no unnecessary obstacles added by unfortunate staff influences. Visiting the surgery also gives you a chance to find out what hours this dentist normally works and how long each appointment is likely to take. Thus, you will not be inconvenienced with your work, your babysitter, or anything else. It may even be possible to ask the receptionist to give you a ring before your appointment time, if the dentist is running late. One other matter the assistant can help you with is information on payment procedures. Many dentists prefer accounts to be settled at the end of each appointment and, if you go along with no money, it could be embarrassing. All of this just brings us to the door of the surgery. It will , have to wait until next time to detail the areas which should concern a patient in his direct relationship with the dentist.