You would think your molars would pick a better time to give you trouble, but no – they seem to act up right before a holiday or some unmovable meeting. A richmond dentists who is any good will put in an urgent case for you without making it a three-hour affair.
Then there is the matter of finding the right practice. It can be like online dating in that way; on paper the profiles are all so polished and much the same. You only find out if there is any chemistry when you are actually sitting in front of them.
Little things tell you what to expect. Start with the phone. Is the receptionist patient and thorough or do they put you through in a rush? In five minutes you can often gauge the whole relationship. And if they have to put on a sigh to quote you a price, take note.
The same goes for how they confirm appointments. I prefer a text the day before to the alternative of showing up a week late because you forgot and no one has your file ready.
We see more teeth whitening these days than ever. Make sure you know if they do it in house or send you off to someone else; there is a world of difference between a DIY job and the real thing. A competent dentist will also spot jaw alignment issues that could be causing you to snore or grind your teeth during a normal checkup, no need to go to a specialist over it.
And while you are at it, ask about their equipment. The old X-ray machines may be serviceable but the new digital ones spare you from as much radiation, which matters if you are having a lot of scans done. Some places even have loyalty discounts for the patients who stay put. It might seem an odd question to ask in the middle of an appointment but it is worth it.
In the end you won’t build trust in one afternoon. Give it a few visits before you make them a fixture on your calendar.