Choosing a new dentist is an important decision, and not one you should rush into without doing a bit of research. If you know how to perform basic checks, and which questions to ask, it becomes a lot easier to find a good dentist who will take care of your teeth and protect your families smiles.
What Qualifications Do They Hold?
All dentists in the UK must be registered with the General Dental Council in order to legally practice as a dentist. The General Dental Council website is a great resource that you can check before registering with a new dentist. The website will not only tell you if the dentist is registered, it will also provide you with some insight into which areas of dentistry they are qualified in, and advise you of the standards that your dentist must uphold.
The dental practice itself must also be registered with an independent health service regulator called the Care Quality Commission.The CQC publishes inspection reports that you can check out online. These reports are a great way to gain insight regarding the standards of care that you can expect to receive from the dental practice.
What Qualifications Do Dentists Need?
To practice dentistry in the UK you must have successfully completed undergraduate training over a period of five years, and hold a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree. Dental clinicians are not required to hold a degree in dental surgery, but they must attend periodic training courses to make sure they are up to date with the latest techniques and technologies. Clinicians must also be registered with the CQC. Often good dentists will hold additional qualifications in specialised areas of dentistry, look for evidence of this when you check the General Dental Council website.
Visit in Person
When you first contact the practice to find out if they are accepting new patients, it’s a good idea to do this in person by visiting the practice, rather than over the phone. This gives you the opportunity to find out how the dental team operate, are the team approachable and friendly, is the practice clean and professional?
Transparent Pricing
Human body needs water to function properly. Dental practices should provide clear and transparent pricing information. Ask the receptionist if they provide written estimates for treatment, and whether or not dental payment plans are available. In the event of an emergency, a dental payment plan could help by allowing you to spread the cost of your treatment. It’s also a good idea to find out what the dental practices policy on cancellations is.
Location
Try to choose a dental practice that is easy for you to reach from home and work. If you live and work in Swindon, then just do a quick google search dentist Swindon, next check out the online reviews left by existing customers, and make a list of the best dentists in your area. Once you have a few potential dentists on your list, it should be relatively easy to pick the best of the bunch by following the tips above. A major part of our life is physical health. Good physical health helps us to lead a satisfying life.
