How should I select my dentist??? What qualities should I look into a Dentist for my treatment??
In today’s world, finding a good dentist is the most important task. Whom should we trust, whom should not we?? Let’s see what are the questions, we as a patient feels for a doctor-
1) Will that doctor give me genuine advice, not just for sake of money??
2) Will he/she be able to correctly diagnose and treat me for the same? Will treatment be pain free??
3) Will the fees be justified according to treatment??
Let’s look at all queries one by one.
Authenticity of the doctor:
In today’s world-finding a honest doctor, who would advice you the authentic information has become difficult. We see lots of cases, where doctors are doing mal-practices just for sake of money. They may not guide you the treatment you need, but may lead to some un-necessary treatment. There are multiple ways to overcome the problems. First ask someone in family or nearby friend circle, whom they had undergone for their treatment. Ask their opinion about that specific doctor. Second, see their online reputation and website. You may have idea. But beware!!online reviews can be mis-leading also sometime as in today’s world anyone can post anything about anyone. Sometimes its seen that, doctor’s old staff, or their competitor or their past un-happy patients posts something online that is exaggerated and not close to reality. But you may have general idea for the same. Most importantly, meet the doctor personally for consultation. Don’t hesitate to spend few amounts to find perfect doctor. You will be able to have a sense about his/her authenticity. The way their staff behaves, the doctor behaves tells you many things. You can sense that literally!
Expertise of a doctor:
In today’s world, doctors can be literally divided into one who is trying to specialize in every field and who is expert in one field. I would recommend that you do thorough research on the treatment needed and go to that specialist doctor only. For example, if you have flu or common cold, you can reach to a General Practitioner (MBBS), you can reach to a specialist Doctor/Physician (MD Medicine) or you can reach to Super-Specialist Doctor (DM/Pulmonologist). All three can treat you, but the specialist and super-specialist can treat you efficiently as they are excelling on that field only. The only catch is specialist or super specialist doctor may charge you more according to his/her expertise, but that will give you better outcome on a longer run.
You can always check the degree of a doctor and decide yourself.
Specifically, about Dentistry, there are 7 different specialties in Dentist themselves also. They are as below:
Endodontist-Root Canal Treatment Specialist
Periodontist-Gums Diseases (Pyorrhea) and Dental Implant Specialist
Prosthodontist-Specialist Dentist for making dentures and artificial prosthesis
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon- Specialist Dentist for wisdom teeth removal
Orthodontist-Specialist Dentist for braces and aligners
Pedodontist- Specialist Dentist for Kids’ teeth
Oral Diagnosticians and Radiologist- Specialist for atypical diagnosis
Find a Clinic where you can find these specialists according to your needs. There are dental clinics where 1-2 Specialist Dentists are available full time and rest are in the team, you can approach them for all your needs.
Pain free dental treatments are very subjective things. It all depends upon what treatment you are undergoing. Most dentist now-a-days uses advances dental anaesthetics that provides discomfort free treatments!
Fees and their justification:
Your treatment charges vary from Dentist to Dentist, even if it’s the same treatment!! All Dentists have different kind of specialist skill sets, different kind of Clinical set up and different kind of technological and material advances. Comparing charges of different dentists for same treatment is like comparing charges of two different cars; Mercedes and Maruti does not cost the same, right? In this era, a Dentist providing treatment with advanced technology and high-grade material will cost you high compared to one who does not invest in same, but outcomes also vary as success ratio is significantly increased with advanced technology and high-grade materials.
Even maintaining a standard dis-infection protocol in Clinic, costs a lot to Dentist themselves, how they can afford to provide you at cheaper rate? I have seen many Clinics in India, where Dentists does not follow a good dis-infection protocols and use contaminated or rusted instruments to provide cheaper treatments to the patient, patient will never be able to know that as these are back-end processes. Remember, Instruments can look clean from outside but they may be contaminated with bacteria ,if proper dis-infection protocols are not followed!
Let me give you an example;
A basic Class N autoclave machine (Autoclave machine refers to a device where used, dirty and contaminated dental instruments gets dis-infected.) costs approx. 4,000 Rs (Four Thousand Rupees), where a highest-grade Class B autoclave machine costs 1,25,000 Rs (One Lac twenty-five thousand rupees)!! But there is a lot difference in efficiency and outcome of process as well. Basic Class N autoclave cannot kill all the bacteria, whereas class B autoclave will kill all the bacteria and spores. Also, the regular maintenance of Class B autoclave is super-costly compared to basic Class N autoclave. Now tell me, where these charges will be reflected?? Obviously, in treatment charges from the patients only! But these minute details will never be known to patients, as these are backend processes! This is only one example of backend process; I can count you at least 50 things minimum! And all of these things make minute to minute differences in your treatment outcomes and overall well-being, and obviously one who follows all protocols will cost you higher, but overall it’s for your and your family’s overall health and protection. So do not compromise with your health just for difference of few rupees
Also, maintaining advanced technology like Dental Microscopes and Digital X-Rays are costly. But all these technology makes difference in your treatment outcomes.
Fun Fact:
A good dentist works with the accuracy of 0.5 mm distance while performing Root Canal Treatment! And a latest technology helps to achieve this goal! Dental Literature says that lack of >1 mm accuracy decreases success ratio by 14% !!
Tell me is it possible to achieve this kind of accuracy without latest advanced technology??? and ultimately, where these fees will be reflected??obviously, in your treatment charges.
As they say in any profession, Its not the costs that matters, it’s the value provided that matters the most!!
For any doubts and questions, connect us via phone or whatsapp on +91-99799 35876. We will be happy to help you to find a good Dentist, whether you are patient of our Clinic or not! Whether you live in any part of India or any part of world, we will be happy to guide you to find you a Dentist according to your need!
Dr Jay Kothari
MDS (Micro-Endodontist).
This article is written by Dr Jay Kothari, who is specialist Dentist of Root Canal Treatment (Endodontist), having super-specialty in Microscopic Root Canal Treatment and Microscopic Re-Root Canal Treatment. You can read more about him at www.microscopicdentist.com or google on Dant-Aarogyam Microscopic Dental Clinic, Gujarat, Ahmedabad
