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Dental care is much more than regular dental cleanings and exams. While these are necessary and important, your dentist should offer you and your family so much more. When searching for the best dentist, you must know exactly what to look for. Take this quiz to see if you really know what to look for in a dentist!

True or False: A general dentist should offer basic services, and it’s best to see a specialist for everything else.

Answer: False

Dentists who only offer basic services like dental cleanings, exams, and other preventive treatments fail to meet the comprehensive needs of their patients. Find a dentist office that has multiple dentists who offer a variety of services.

At Dental Concepts, our exceptional dental team is made up of general dentists, an orthodontist, an endodontist, and an oral surgeon. Our other services include family and children’s dentistry, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, and periodontal care.

A one-stop-shop dental office makes dental care simple for everyone involved. Dentist offices that provide a wide menu of services help patients save time and money! Family members shouldn’t have to make dental appointments at separate offices, and you should never have to drive across town because your dentist doesn’t provide a special service. (In some situations, we do refer to specialists, but only when absolutely necessary and when our own in-house team cannot provide a very specific treatment.)

True or False: Patient education should be a top priority.

Answer: True

As dentists, our goal is to help patients gain and maintain healthy smiles. For patients to understand how to sustain their oral health, dentists must prioritize patient education. This means explaining dental issues and oral health care in a way that is easy to understand.

When it comes to dental procedures, dentists should inform patients about their treatment choices. Together, the dentist and patients can decide on the best way to improve the health and/or appearance of their smile.

Dentists should welcome questions from patients, because they show that the patient is interested in learning and understanding. An informed patient can make wise decisions about oral health treatments, as well as home care products and routines. Dentists who genuinely value patient education make sure that appointments are long enough to allow for discussion and explanation, without rushing.

True or False: Dentists take appointments 9-5, Monday through Thursday.

Answer: False

There certainly are dentists with inconvenient availability, but that’s not the case for all. Find a dentist who has a schedule that works with yours.

Many of our dentists are available on evenings and weekends to provide care to patients in all walks of life. Our online scheduler allows patients to choose the three most convenient times for them to attend a dental appointment.

Don’t settle for a dentist who wants patients to work around his schedule. Find one that will work around yours!

True or False: Patients can completely trust their dentists.

Answer: True

Patients who experience dental fear and anxiety have a tough time visiting the dentist. While dental fear is a real problem (one of the most common fears among adults), part of the issue could be that the patient doesn’t fully trust the dentist.

Building trust with a dentist can improve your dental experience, which will have a positive effect on how you manage your oral health. Here are some ways to find a dentist worthy of your trust:

  • Ask family, friends, and coworkers for recommendations
  • Do your research (visit the website and read online reviews)
  • Schedule an initial consultation
  • Express your fears and oral health concerns to the dental team
  • Observe how the dental team prioritizes patient comfort
  • Listen to how your questions are answered

As a new patient, you should expect a warm greeting and exceptional service. The dentist and dental team should be helpful and answer all your questions. If at your initial consultation, you do not feel comfortable with the dentist or other team members, keep looking. You will find one you click with!

True or False: All dentists have similar education and training.

Answer: False

It’s true that all dental schools have the same curriculum requirements, but specialists are required to complete years additional training, including a residency where hands-on experience is gained.

In addition, every year dentists must complete several hours of continuing education courses to keep their license current. Continuing education (CE) courses keep dentists up to date on the latest technology and dental techniques. Each dentist can select CE courses in a particular area of interest. This allows a general dentist to learn additional skills, like how to place and restore dental implants or treat sleep apnea.

It’s important to choose a dentist who offers safe, modern treatments. The Dental Concepts team has been trained and educated by some of the best to offer our patients outstanding dental care.

To meet with a dental team that offers everything you and your family needs, call our Salinas, CA office today at (831)443-3633.