Imagine that you’re walking down the street on a clear, sunny day. Friendly neighbors wave and happy dogs bark as you pass, and everything seems to be going great until you’re suddenly hit with an excruciating toothache. Fighting through the pain, you reach for your cell phone only to realize that you don’t have a reliable emergency dentist in your contacts list. Oh, the humanity!
Reflecting upon this very possible nightmare scenario, you might want to make plans now so you know exactly who you’re going to call when a dental emergency strikes. Here are some ways to help you pick out an especially excellent emergency dentist.
Where Are They Located?
You can have the office number of the greatest dentist in all of Japan, but that’s not going to do you any good if you dislodge a tooth in America. The first thing you should consider is finding a dentist within immediate traveling distance of where you can expect to be located. This just doesn’t stop at home because you should find a dentist at your destination when traveling for work or vacation.
Do They Accept Your Insurance?
Not all dental offices accept every form of dental insurance. When finding an emergency dentist, you should take care to find one that accepts your insurance plan. If you don’t have insurance, you have no need to fret. You see if any providers have discounts or payment plans for the uninsured. Planning this out ahead of time can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Are They a Member of Any Professional Organizations?
You can tell a lot about a professional by the organizations they belong to. The best dental clinics in the country belong to the American Dental Association. Membership requires them to abide by the ADA code including a principle of ethics and a code of professional conduct. This sort of membership means that a provider is vouched for by a respected organization and has shown a thorough commitment to adhering to their high standards of dental care.
Is the Office Clean?
If a dentist’s office isn’t clean, you probably shouldn’t trust it to provide you with quality care. Visit a prospective emergency dentist or check out their website ahead of time to make sure that you’re comfortable with the building. If you needed emergency dentistry, would you be at ease in this office? Does it look well-maintained? Does the equipment appear to be reasonably up to date? Knowing you can answer “yes” to each of these questions can give you a great deal of peace of mind in a stressful dental situation.
When it comes to dental emergencies, you should hope for the best after preparing for the worst. If you have a dentist you can trust in your address book when that nasty toothache or dislodged tooth hits you, you stand in the best position to reach a favorable resolution.
About the Author
Dr. Steve Cha earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and has continued his education ever since. He has taken many courses through SPEAR Education covering topics like restorative and endodontic dentistry and serves as a member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. His practice in McKinney, TX, offers general, pediatric, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you are looking for a good emergency dentist, contact his office online or dial (972) 529-1800.