Everyone’s teeth need care and maintenance, and the perfect person to help you maintain your pearly whites is your dentist. But how do you choose the right dentist for you? There are a variety of considerations that you may or may not have examined that could be important to you. Let’s discuss a few of the more uncommon ones.
First, you probably want to make sure your dentist has a degree. There are two different types of degrees, DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine). While they sound very different, they are, in fact, the same degree and the variation in name is simply that. In this case, it’s simply a matter of semantics. The type of degree awarded depends on the school your dentist attended, but the education and the degree are the same, so you don’t need to worry about which designation to focus on when you choose your dentist in Northampton PA.
Visiting the dentist twice a year for your routine semi-annual teeth cleanings may seem insignificant enough to you to really examine whether or not your dentist is the right fit for you. But it is important to note that your oral health is the result of teamwork between you and your dentist. Does your dentist provide you with answers to your questions and help you understand how to better care for your teeth and gums? How open is the communication in your relationship? Does your dentist make him or herself available to you? If it’s one-sided, it may be time to look for another dentist in Northampton PA.
While it may probably seem very insignificant to many, membership with the American Dental Association, or ADA, could be a compelling difference, as well. Dentists who are members of the ADA voluntarily abide by the ADA’s code of ethics. This is comprised of three main components that include the Principles of Ethics, the Code of Professional Conduct, as well as the Advisory Opinions. One of the main purposes for this is the recognition by these dental professionals that to continue the public’s trust in the dental industry, they must commit to and practice high ethical standards of conduct.
Choosing the right dentist in Northampton PA for you isn’t always easy, and it can be difficult to determine which dentist is the right fit. But considering some of the more important qualifications and qualities in a dentist that are important to you can help you narrow down the playing field.
