Dentistry is a profession that much of our population knows little about. When asked what a prosthodontist or and endodontist does most will have no answer. This makes it difficult to choose a dentist. For someone new to the area, someone who is looking to change dentists, or someone that does not have a dentist, the following is a few tips on how to properly choose a dentist and make sure you end up with one that you can build a great relationship with for years to come.
The Dental Office
This is one of the areas where you can immediately disclude certain dentists. The first red flag would be if the office is not extremely clean. A doctor of dental surgery does just that. He performs surgery. Bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections can happen when an office is not very clean. Second, the office should have equipment that is current in design. Dentistry is a dynamic profession and nearly the entire profession has changed in the last 30 years. If the dentist you are looking at has equipment that is 30 years old, there is a good chance their techniques are antiquated as well. We encourage you to view our interactive office tour to see exactly what the operatories and offices look like at Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry.
The Staff
When looking for a new dentist, we encourage you to investigate the staff. You should be able to get questions answered regarding their duration of tenure, their knowledge of dentistry, and their mission statement. You should feel comfortable with them because much of your personal interaction in the dental office will be with them. Dentistry is like all other forms of healthcare in that the people you are working with should have your best interests in mind and that should be reflected in your discussions.
The Doctors
Of all the criteria for choosing a new dentist, this is perhaps the most important. Quality dental care is paramount. A doctor that is not current, updated, or dedicated can sour the entire experience no matter how well the other aspects of the visit turn out. You should have full opportunity to interview the doctor before your consultation. That doctor, like the staff, should have your best interests in mind. He or she should also have the proper education required to provide excellent service. In order to practice family dentistry, a dentist is required to attend dental school. This, however, should not be where the education ends. Continuing education requirements for dentists are small in amount and in scope so it is up to the dentist to be diligent in their duties to continue to learn and keep updated in dentistry. Dr. Harth and Dr. Townsend have hundreds of hours of continuing education in all areas of dentistry. This saves the patient money, time, and also allows them to receive the best care possible. We encourage you to read the section of our website entitled; “What is Complete Dentistry”. It will show you the dedication that is available to you from your dental healthcare provider.
Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry is located in Ponte Vedra, Florida serving Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, and Palm Valley. PVCD practices “complete dentistry” and offers services including but not limited to emergency dental care, veneers, implants, crowns, dentures, tooth whitening, pediatric dentistry, sleep apnea, root canal treatment, and treatment of gum disease.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please call us at (904) 285-7711 or contact us online.