Your relationship with your dentist is one that ideally should last a lifetime. So before you commit to a dental practice, it’s important to do your homework. Start by creating a list of questions to ensure the services your perspective dentist offers is a good fit for you and your family today, and for any unforeseen or anticipated dental issues that may arise in the future. Here are five questions to help get you started.
1. Besides general dentistry, what other dental services do you offer?
Most dental practices are dedicated to general dentistry – that means performing check-ups, fillings, cleanings and X-rays. However, should you be looking for a first dentist for your child, considering an implant for a missing tooth, or hoping to whiten your teeth, you may find yourself driving all over town to find a pediatric dentist, oral surgeon and a dentist that specializes in cosmetic or reconstructive procedures to address your needs. Be sure to ask your perspective dentist what other services he provides to ensure your dental experience becomes a convenient, trusted one-stop shop.
2. Do you practice pediatric dentistry?
Creating a lifelong habit of good oral health starts in childhood. That said, a child’s first dental experience should be a positive one. Once that trust is built, your dentist should be there through losing that first tooth, adolescence and into adulthood. When choosing a new dentist, be sure to ask if they practice pediatric dentistry. That way your dentist is also your family’s dentist.
3. Do you take dental insurance?
Nearly all dentists accept some form of dental insurance. When this is the case, finding the dentist that is right for you depends on matching the providers in your network to your dental needs. But what if you don’t have dental insurance? Some dentists, such as Hagerman Dental Care in St. Paul, offer comprehensive dental plans that are comparable to – and sometimes better than – health insurance plans. This means you can stick with your dental provider, even when your insurance changes or if you lose coverage.
4. Are you current on new dental technologies and techniques?
Advancing technologies and techniques are making taking care of your teeth state-of-the-art. For example, Perio Protect is a new, non-surgical treatment for gum disease, the Florida Probe uses wireless technology to detect and diagnose gum disease with unprecedented accuracy, and DIAGNOden uses a safe, non-invasive laser fluorescence to detect early tooth decay. If your new dentist isn’t up to date on these and other technologies that are revolutionizing dentistry, then you may want to keep looking.
5. Do you offer same-day appointments for dental emergencies?
There is no convenient time to experience a dental emergency. Whether it’s breaking a tooth, cracking a crown, or suffering from a tooth ache, you will want to ensure your new dentist offers same-day emergency care.
Full-Service Dental Care in the Twin Cities
When it comes to modern, full-service dental care, there is only one choice in the Twin Cities. Using the safest and most advanced dental techniques and procedures, Hagerman Dental Care offers full general, cosmetic and restorative dental care for patients of all ages. He is an expert at relieving dental pain and restoring your smile to its original beauty. Plus, he offers same-day urgent care for dental emergencies. No insurance? No problem. Hagerman Dental Plan is an annual, reduced-fee savings plan for families and individuals without dental insurance. You deserve to smile with pride. Call Dr. Steven Hagerman at our Minneapolis-St. Paul office today at (651) 646-2392, or use our online appointment request form.