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Why Choose a Panama Dental Center Professional? |
All dentists are not created equal nor are their offices. First of all it’s important to know that there are different types of dentists, many who perform only specific types of procedures. Furthermore you’ll want to know the qualifications of the dentist’s staff, both those who do chair side assisting, perform cleaning procedures, and even work in the front office. Here at the Panama Dental Center we have specialists from all the different fields in one group, making any treatment you
might need easily accessible in one location.
We isolated twelve important points you should address when choosing a dentist:
1. Find out how long the practice has been in operation.
2. Ask about the extent of the dentist's training and clinical experience in performing specific procedures. For example, not all dentists are trained in specific cosmetic dentistry procedures. In addition, certain procedures, such as an anterior porcelain veneer, may serve both an esthetic and functional need. A procedure that satisfies both needs might be the better option, when compared with a standard functional restoration offering no esthetic benefit.
3. If the dentist does not perform certain procedures, ask about his referral process.
4. Before committing yourself to a dentist, identify all the procedure options that would solve your cosmetic dental concern. Ask about the pros and cons of each option.
5. Ask about the types of professional dental societies the dentist participates in. Some societies require dentists to take continuing education classes to keep them up-to-date on the latest procedures and technological advances in the field.
6. Ask about the type of emergency care offered. For example, is the dentist available after hours and on weekends?
7. Inquire about patient comforts, such as pre-medication or nitrous oxide, and amenities such as music or heating pads.
8. Inquire about the use of dental lasers as an alternative to traditional dental tools such as tooth drilling and scalpels.
9. If your needs include cosmetic dentistry procedures, ask to see before-and-after photos of the dentist's previous patients. Bring a photo of the result you would like to see or a picture of yourself before the need for cosmetic dentistry to help set a reasonable expectation for your procedure’s outcome.
10. Determine dental costs prior to treatment ask for an estimate that lists all your out of pocket expenses before treatment begins.
11. Is the dentist's office located nearby? This could be important, if your procedures require frequent or multiple visits.
12. Is the dental team friendly and courteous? You may not want to see a dentist long term if you don't feel comfortable with the dentist’s team.
Selecting a dentist requires an introduction to the various fields of dentistry. A general dentist is licensed to diagnose dental issues and oral conditions, develop treatment plans and provide certain treatments. When necessary, general and family dentists may refer you to a more specialized dental practitioner. Qualified dentists are designated as either DDS a Doctor of Dental Surgery or DMD a Doctor of Dental Medicine. We at The Panama Dental Center take pride in answers yes to all these above criteria, and invite you to inspect our facility and meet our staff at your convenience.
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