Although dental health is extremely important for overall health, making a trip to the dentist can often result in stress and anxiety for patients for a number of reasons. These can include things like being afraid of pain that may be caused by dental procedures, feeling insecure or judged by the dentist, financial concerns, and more. Over the past several years, modern practices have increased their focus on patient care and stress free dental visits by incorporating a variety of comforting items to help ease anxiety when receiving dental care. When choosing the right dentist, it’s important to take a look at some of the determining factors that will ensure that you feel at ease during every step of your visit.

Procedures Performed by Board Certified Dentists

According to dental malpractice statistics, the most common cause of malpractice lawsuits is chronic nerve pain following a dental procedure. Dentistry is a specialized medical field that requires completion of four years of dental school before receiving a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. In the United States, it is mandatory that all dentists must be a graduate of a dental school that has been accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA).

Additionally, all practicing dentists must fulfill individual licensing requirements of the state where they practice dentistry. Ensuring your dentist is a member of the ADA is as easy as performing an online search and knowing that you are receiving high quality medical care using the latest procedures and technology can help put your mind at ease when undergoing a dental procedure.

Providing a Clean, Professional Environment

As a medical profession, most patients would expect a dental office to have a clean waiting room that is free of offensive odors, trash, and debris. Additionally, dental workers and businesses are legally required to comply with certain sanitation and cleanliness guidelines. In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control published a document outlining the best practices for safe care in preventing infection in dental settings. All ADA-accredited dental practices are required to follow certain standards when it comes to sterility of instruments, avoiding cross-contamination of work spaces, and more. If you are ever unsatisfied with the cleanliness of your dental office, it’s best to trust your gut and walk the other way.

Providing Optional Comfort Menu Options

Over the past several years, a number of dental offices have stepped up their game when it comes to making patients feel at ease. For those who find going to the dentist a nerve-wracking experience, many offices have implemented a ”comfort menu” for patients to choose their favorite items to soothe their worries during their visit free of charge. Most comfort menus include items like calming essential oils, warming neck pillows, blankets, or headphones with music to provide a relaxing, stress-free visit. In addition to providing physical stress reducing items, dental staff should be friendly and courteous and provide open and honest communication with patients in a judgement free zone. Taking the time to ensure patients understand each step of a procedure can go a long way in making them feel safe and at ease.

Utilizing the Most Up to Date Technology

As with any other medical field, advancements in dental technology are evolving every day. Almost every dental office is equipped with technology like ultrasonic cleaning, sterilization equipment, and radiology but even more technological advancements like virtual reality, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence have recently come on the scene to improve the future of dentistry. Additionally, medical care professionals are always working towards improving patient experience by utilizing appropriate pain management techniques and offering minimally invasive procedures that reduce pain and speed healing time to provide a more comfortable experience overall. Before choosing a new dentist, ask them about their equipment and plans for the future to make sure they are using the latest, up-to-date technology.

Online Reviews Add Up

It seems like everyone is quick to offer up their two cents when it comes to online reviews these days, and the same is true for dental practices. In one recent article, it was determined that 91% of people utilize online reviews regularly and up to 84% of people equate their trust in online reviews to that of a trusted friend or family member. Although some online reviews have a reputation as being biased, the majority of reviews are honest recommendations by patients with real experience at the practice.

Offering Flexible Payment Options

The high cost of dental care can often be a determining factor in whether or not patients seek out prophylactic dental procedures like routine teeth cleaning, radiographs, and more. In an article posted by CBS News, 69% of the people interviewed who did not receive routine dental care said that cost was the number one determining factor in that situation. Before selecting a clinic, it’s a good idea to look into the cost of procedures as well as ask about any alternative payment methods like payment plans, acceptance of medical credit cards, or discounts based on income.