With all the technology available today you are able to get a lot of information about a dentist just by surfing the web .So once you find out how long they have been practicing, where they graduated from and what their fortes are, then what? Then nothing!!!!

Unless you received a referral from some one you trust, you really don’t have much to go by. It is not just the technical abilities of your dentist that are going to determine your dental experience .It is your ability to bond with your dentist that is going to determine whether you are going to be comfortable in their office.

Chose your dentist the same way you chose a friend .Go with your instincts and comfort level. What impression do you get when you first meet your new dentist? Do you get eye contact or are they always looking away? Do they talk with you or at you? Are you able to understand the points they are putting across? Do you like the way they look? Do they have a sense of humor? The above points are all criteria we use when we are choosing our friends because at the end of the day we need to be comfortable around them. Same thing with the dentist.

Another thing to look out for is the type of office you are considering .Is it a private practice or a clinic. Private practices will tend to have one dentist and you will only see them when you come in .So once you have created a bond with your dentist you are able to build on it .In clinics, typically you will see the dentist that is available when you arrive, so it is a little harder to create a bond. Also inquire about how long the staff has been with the practice .A solid practice will have employees that have been there for a long time because the work place is happy and fair. This also is a clue for you that you are indeed in the right place.

So as you can tell you will have to make a little effort to find a dentist and your information will come from their websites as well as your personal assessment of their character .If after you make your first appointment you are not comfortable then don’t return to that office and have your records sent to your next choice .I know it would mean doing homework all over again, which is a drag but it is worth establishing a good relationship with your dentist knowing they will take care of your concerns every time and be there for you .

Your Buddy Dr. G