You should already have a good idea who your emergency dentist is; when you or a loved one breaks a tooth or is suffering from a painful infection, you need to know who to call right away to have the problem properly addressed. But how will you know when you’ve found the right practice to turn to in the worst-case scenario? Keep these 4 factors in mind whenever you’re searching for a new emergency dentist.
1. REPUTATION
When looking at a practice for the first time, check their reviews on Facebook, Yelp, or another online platform that allows patients to rank and review their dental care. It might also be a good idea to check their website to see if they’ve received any awards. By finding a dentist that has already built a good reputation for themselves, you can be sure that they can offer top quality oral health care – especially in urgent situations where you could be at risk for losing your teeth altogether.
2. ACCESSIBILITY
If you have a knocked out or broken tooth, it’s crucial to see your dentist within the hour. In fact, a timely treatment is key when it comes to any kind of dental emergency. That’s why it’s important to find a dentist that works within a broad range of hours and is willing to make same day appointments if urgent care is needed. Call the office to learn more about the dentist’s availability during an emergency.
3. ADVANCED EQUIPMENT AND TREATMENTS
What kind of technology is available at the practice? Do they take advantage of digital technology to accurately examine your mouth and plan treatments? Will they use a soft tissue laser to enhance treatment for gum disease? The practice’s website may go into detail about the various advanced tools that the practice employs in order to provide high quality care in any situation. They should also include a list of available treatments; take the time to review these services and how they could be used to treat damaged or infected teeth and gums.
4. LOCATION
When time is of the essence, the last thing you want to have to do is fight traffic in order to get to your dentist’s office. Check the practice’s address and consider how long it would take to get there from your house or from your place of work. You should try and find an office that’s as easy to get to as possible.
If you’re still having trouble finding your home for emergency dentistry, it may help to ask family members or friends for recommendations; you should also call the office to ask for specifics in the event of an emergency (such as whether they accept your insurance or what the estimated cost for a procedure you think you might need could be). Take your time so that you can find the perfect partner for protecting your smile!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Wayne Myles believes that giving back is the most gratifying thing you can do for someone, which is why he participates in Dentistry from the Heart, an organization that offers free dental care for the underprivileged. He and his team at Smiles by Myles in Reston pair high-quality advanced dental care with compassion for each and every patient. To schedule an appointment and learn more about emergency services offered, visit his website or call (703) 925-0800.
