You don’t have time to worry about the credibility of a dental practice when you’re in the middle of dealing with an unbearable toothache that refuses to go away. If you’re going to shop for an emergency dentist, you should do so long before you have any need of them. Which one is the best fit for you and your family? These 4 signs will let you know that you’ve found a great home for all of your urgent dental care needs.
1. Same Day Appointments
One of the first things you need to figure out is the practice’s policy towards scheduling emergency appointments. Not every accident is going to happen during business hours or at a particularly convenient time for the dentist (or yourself, for that matter). It’s important to know that when a crisis hits, you’ll be able to get to an examination room quickly so that you can get the care you need as soon as possible. Find a practice in Ponte Vedra Beach that will accommodate you however they can no matter when your crisis occurs.
2. Flexible Payment Options
You won’t know what kind of care you need until an emergency actually happens, of course, but it’s a good idea to already know whether or not the practice works within your budget. That means calling them ahead of time to ask whether they’ll accept your insurance plan or offer other financing options should you need them.
3. Experienced and Credentialed Dentists
How long has your dentist been working in the field? What kind of qualifications do they have? Did they undergo any kind of training for treatments that you might need during common dental emergencies? Take the time to familiarize yourself with the background of the dentist and their practice and decide for yourself whether you can put your trust in them when it matters most.
4. Focus on Comfort
Stopping your pain and saving your teeth are the primary goals of emergency treatment, of course, but a good dentist will also do everything they can to help you stay calm. It’s not uncommon for patients to panic when their teeth are broken or in pain, after all. In addition to your oral health issues, your treatment should also help relieve your mental distress. To that end, most practices employ sedation of some kind. Nitrous oxide is the most common form, but oral conscious sedation is recommended for patients who are especially anxious or might have trouble sitting still for an extensive procedure.
At the end of the day, the best dentist to turn to during an emergency depends on your unique situation and what makes you feel confident in the quality of the care you receive. Think all of these important factors over carefully before making your decision; you can’t waste time second-guessing which practice to call when every second counts!
About the Author
Dr. Eric L. Townsend has over three decades of experience in dentistry. He maintains an active membership in the Florida Dental Association and other professional organizations in order to keep up to date with all the latest dental advancements. If you need immediate dental care, schedule an appointment with him right away at Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry by calling (904) 285-7711. You can also schedule an appointment by visiting his website.