Looking for a Dentist in Raleigh?
How do you choose a dentist in Raleigh from among the more than 250 who are licensed to practice? Here are some things to consider as you try to narrow the field and make the best decision for your own personal circumstances.
Services Vary from Dentist to Dentist in Raleigh
Not every general dentist in Raleigh offers the same set of services. Some distinctions are obvious – such as a pediatric dentist who has decided to focus only on dental care for children.
Other distinctions among dentists in Raleigh are less obvious, and are actually related to the dentist’s commitment of time and resources to develop the expertise needed to perform services that other dentists don’t offer. Sometimes, dental practices that offer a broader range of services than most are referred to as practicing comprehensive dentistry. However, since that term is relatively new, and not regulated by the NC Dental Board, it may not mean the same thing from one practice to the next. The reason for potentially seeking out a dentist in Raleigh that provides comprehensive dentistry is to have the advantage of being able to have most services you need provided by the same dentist – no records to transfer, additional forms to fill out, etc. if you need routine periodontal treatments, routine wisdom teeth extractions, or routine root canals. (Again, you need to check to find out if a dentist who practices comprehensive dentistry actually offers these services or not! Here’s an example of comprehensive dentistry services offered by one dentist in Raleigh) That doesn’t mean that you’ll never have to go to a dental specialist – there could be a time when a specialist is needed because your condition is quite complex.
Determine the Focus You Need From a Dentist in Raleigh
Your needs may extend beyond those of comprehensive dentistry, especially if you or a family member is interested in smile improvement using cosmetic dentistry services (braces and other techniques such as teeth whitening or veneers) and implant dentistry. Again, some dentists in Raleigh may focus exclusively on cosmetic dentistry, but not offer comprehensive dentistry.
If you (or a member of your household) either has anxiety about visiting the dentist, or wants to see results from cosmetic dentistry faster, you may want to look for a dentist in Raleigh who is licensed by the state of North Carolina to practice sedation dentistry. (Sedation dentistry may enable you to have multiple cosmetic dentistry procedures performed during a single extended appointment with the dentist.) Sedation dentistry is growing in popularity, yet relatively few providers in Raleigh are licensed to administer sedation. In 2009, the NC Dental Board enacted new guidelines for administering sedation, in order to ensure dental patient safety. A formal accreditation process is now in place.
Check Credentials and Capabilities!
Word-of-mouth referrals are a great starting point, but remember that your friend’s or colleague’s dental needs may vary significantly from your own. Again, focusing on what your specific needs are, consider the credentials of the provider for the specific types of services you’ll be using. Look for information about the dental school where the dentist in Raleigh obtained his or her DDS (Doctorate of Dental Surgery). Dental schools aren’t officially ranked nationally, but there are “unofficial” lists. For example, nearby UNC-Chapel’s School of Dentistry is nearly always mentioned as one of the top in the nation on those unofficial lists. Beyond where the DDS was obtained, also look for (or inquire about) any special training the dentist may have received – such as practicing in a setting where there was a heavy focus on orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry services. As with any medical or professional service, experience matters!
Another way of assessing important facets of practice capabilities is to explore how each prospective dentist in Raleigh is using newer technology and newer treatment approaches. Technological advances often facilitate greater precision in dentistry. Precision can matter not only in appearance, but also in how quickly your mouth “recovers” from a procedure, such as having a crown placed. Ask your prospective dentist to explain some of the newest services and technology the practice offers, and when those were adopted. That is not to say that the practice has to be using every recent technology available – some degree of caution in adoption is certainly a good attribute for any dentist to have. Nevertheless, the response to the question should give you some type of comparison point among different providers as to who is staying current and making the commitment to provide a higher level of patient service.
Professional affiliations may also afford some measure of the dentist’s activity within the broader dental community, and an interest in finding out about the latest research, development, and products coming to market. National professional affiliations include the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentists, the National Society of Dental Practitioners, and the American Association of Public Health Dentistry. For a dentist in Raleigh, consider membership in both the North Carolina Dental Society and the Wake County Dental Society. The NC Dental Society is the professional affiliation for the state, while the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners (sometimes called the NC Dental Board) is the actual regulatory body which administers state-specific dental regulations. (Dental practice is regulated at the state, not national, level.)
What Type of Insurance Arrangements Are Available?
When looking for a dentist in Raleigh, you’ll also want to understand how the dentist handles insurance (if you have dental insurance), and whether the dentist provides payment plans. More specific questions to ask about dental insurance are: Will the practice file the claim for you? If so, does the dentist require you to pay the practice up front and then be reimbursed later by the insurance company? Can you finance the balance that remains after insurance pays?
These are all good points to consider when you’re looking for a dentist in Raleigh. Get the facts before you make a decision!
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