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Originally Posted On: 5 Signs It’s Time To Find A New Dentist – HammBurg

Have you been going to the same dentist for years, even though you’ve been unhappy with the care you’ve been receiving? If the answer is yes, you’re not alone. Many people stick with the same doctor or dentist despite not really liking them or their patient approach because they don’t want to be bothered with switching.

However, there are some things that you shouldn’t ignore. If you’re experiencing any of the following, it’s time for a new dentist. Read on to learn more.

1. It’s Impossible to Get an Appointment

Unless you need emergency or follow-up work, most people only need to visit the dentist twice a year. However, if you do need multiple visits, or simply need to change an appointment, but the next available appointments are weeks or months away, you may consider switching.

Good dentists should be able to get you in for emergency appointments in a timely fashion and you should be able to make an appointment without waiting months to see your dentist. If making appointments is getting more and more difficult, you may need to find a dentist who has fewer patients and can get you in quicker.

2. Their Techniques Are Outdated

It’s easy to get set in your ways and do things the way you’ve always done them. However, if your dentist isn’t following current best practices or isn’t up-to-date on the latest research, you may be suffering. For example, if they don’t use digital x-rays, recommend amalgam fillings, or have outdated furnishings, you might want to switch to a more modern dentist.

Make sure they are also doing an oral cancer screening during your exam. This should include questions about your risk factors, an external exam of your head and neck, and an intra-oral exam of your cheeks, tongue, palate, gum tissues, lips, and floor of your mouth.

3. The Office Staff Is Rude

Before you can even get to see the dentist, you have to go through the front-office staff. If they are unpleasant, unhelpful, and difficult to deal with, you should consider a new dentist. Even after your appointment, you’ll have to work with them for follow-ups, to get records sent to other offices, and for billing and insurance questions.

4. They Don’t Request Your Old Dental Records

If your dentist doesn’t care to look at your old dental records, that is a red flag. If they don’t know what kind of work you’ve had done or when you last had x-rays, they may do them again, costing you money (as most insurance companies will only pay for them once a year), and exposing you to unnecessary radiation.

5. Their Precautions Are Subpar

Dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants all need to be very careful about germs. They should not be using gloved hands to touch things in the office and then putting them in your mouth without changing gloves. Instruments should be stored in sealed bags and heat-sterilized until they are used. Pay attention to what they are doing to make sure no cross-contamination is occurring in your dentist’s office.

Is It Time for a New Dentist?

If you’re reading this and thinking that it sounds a lot like your dentist and your dental office, it might be time to make the switch to a new dentist. While a rude front desk staff is more annoying that anything else, other issues at your dentist may put your health at risk.

If you found these tips useful, be sure to look around at some of our other articles before you go.