Finding A Dentist Who Can Help You
At Iqaluit Dental Clinic, we know that finding the right dentist can be difficult. You have to consider several factors, from their reputation to your dental insurance and more. Let’s figure out how you can smooth out the process and choose the best dentist who can help you.
The Details
1. Referrals – Just searching for local dentists and choosing one from the list is the worst way of finding a dentist. While it’s convenient, you may not get the best dental care. That’s why it’s important to assess all options and create a list of potential dentists who can help you and filter out at every step. Apart from searching online, ask your friends, family, other healthcare providers like your physician and pharmacist, and other people you trust.
Once that’s done you need to check their credentials. There’s no need to worry about recommendations from anyone who has personal experience with their dentist. However, sometimes people are too eager to help and recommend someone they don’t know anything about. That’s where checking the credentials and experience of dentists can help. It helps you to narrow down the list.
2. Credentials and experience – Dentistry is a regulated profession in Canada and each provincial dental regulatory authority comes up with the license requirements for their province. General dentists hold a DMD, DDS or BDS degree issued by a recognized university. On the other hand, specialists would hold that degree along with extensive training and advanced education in disciplines like Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, and more. Such programs are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada(CDAC).
You can also reach out to the provincial regulatory authority or dental association and inquire about the credentials of the list of dentists you have narrowed down. Apart from those credentials, you should also inquire about the experience of the dentist. A reputed dentist won’t lack experience since they have built their reputation by helping people. You can check out reviews, check the dentist’s social media for patient testimonials and even check their ratings on sites like RateMDs.
3. Consider location – Location is very important when choosing a dentist. If you choose a location that’s too far or takes too long for you to reach, you may run into several problems later on. Even if the dentist has a stellar reputation and an exceptional career if they are located too far from you, appointments and scheduling would be very difficult. Even if you manage to go to the dentist and don’t miss your appointment the first time, follow-up appointments would be difficult.
Similarly, you shouldn’t be too quick to choose a dentist that’s too close to your home. You need to make sure that the dentists closer to your home can provide the right dental care that you need. You also need to make sure that the reputed dentist who is close to your home or work is also covered by your insurance provider.
4. Consider gender – For the right diagnosis and treatment of medical issues, the patient needs to be comfortable with their doctor. The same holds in the field of dentistry as well. Oral health is closely connected to your overall health, not just your dental hygiene. You may need to openly discuss private and very personal information with your dentists. If you aren’t comfortable sharing that information with a dentist of the other gender, it would impede dental care.
That’s why when it comes to certain types of dental care, a lot of people are more comfortable with a dentist of their own gender. Moreover, with advances in the medical field, dentists are becoming more comfortable caring for women and men differently. Before you book an appointment, ask about the dentist’s recent training and experience regarding your gender and condition.
5. Telehealth capabilities – Since the pandemic, a lot of dentists have added telecommunications technology to increase telehealth facilities. While telehealth doesn’t replace in-person visits, it can reduce your follow-up visits to the dentist significantly.
You don’t need to book an appointment for minor issues that can be diagnosed and addressed with the help of smartwatches, sensors and a video call. This way, you can save a lot of time and money while the dentist gets to help more patients. Check with their clinics and figure out the dentists on your list that offer this service.
6. Use the Q&A section on the dentist’s website – Next, you can narrow down your list by visiting the dentist’s or their clinic’s website. A good dentist doesn’t need to have a well-designed website. However, a well-designed website with plenty of information about the staff, practice, specialties, patient reviews and a Q&A section can assist you with your choice.
7. Check your insurance – Canada’s publicly funded healthcare system doesn’t cover dental care. At the federal level, the elderly, First Nation people and a few other groups get publicly funded dental coverage. While there are provincial governments that cover children and with Canada Dental Benefit, the dental coverage is extended to kids of more families, most people in Canada still require a private dental insurance plan.
However, not all insurance plans are equal. First of all, you need to make sure that the clinic and the dentist you are choosing are part of your insurer’s network. Otherwise, you’ll be paying a hefty sum out of pocket. Next, you need to check the extent of coverage for X-rays and cleanings and treatments like root canals, fillings, dental crowns, oral surgery and more. While your dentist would help claim those benefits for you and estimate the cost of your treatment, that wouldn’t be possible if they don’t belong to your insurer’s network.
Conclusion
At Iqaluit Dental Clinic, we suggest that you use the above-mentioned tips to find the right dentist for you and your family. The Medicare system doesn’t extend to dental services. That’s why you need to make sure that your dentist and the clinic are covered by your private insurer.