Dentalnews (en)

We all make mistakes, you can’t make an omelette without cracking some eggs – and your dentist is no different.

Good dentists always admit their mistakes and correct them. It’s not that people make mistakes, it’s that they refuse to admit, and of course correct, them.

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Should you require really complicated dental work, it is always good to get a second opinion, so you can be sure that you’re getting quality work. Don’t feel guilty or hesitate to do this: better safe than sorry!

So good luck finding your dentist, we hope the tips we gave you this week help you on your way!

Transparency and clear explanations are the mark of a good dentist!

You know how it goes – you ask an expert or professional a question and the answer they give you still leaves you in the dark. This does not mean you’re dumb, it just means that the expert is not as much of an expert as they seemed.
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A true professional is capable of explaining even the most complicated procedures in a way you can understand, „splitting them up“ into simpler bites for lay people like you and me!
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If you do not understand your dentist’s explanations, this does not mean that the subject matter is too complex, just the way the dentist explains it.
Don’t just accept statements such as „you have a bad tooth”, „you are allergic to implants”, or „you have bed bones”. All of this is not only medically false but is not really an explanation either.
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Like all other sciences, dentistry is subject to the principle of cause and effect. A tooth does not just go bad, there has to be some reason, and it’s either your fault, or the dentist’s, or both!
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A good dentist uses simple language to explain the procedure s/he is going to use and the general processes in the office are clear and easy to understand!

When you’re at a dentist’s office, don’t get fooled by fancy architecture!

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It’s the little things that count – but what exactly are they?

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Well, we’re not talking about general hygienic guidelines, such as clean facilities! This is a matter of course. The points listed below should help you in rating the quality of a dentist’s office:

• Does you dentist use disposable products, or e.g. old cotton towels for operations?
• Do the operating instruments come in sterile packaging, maybe even an operation container?
• Are the instruments used to perform root canal treatment loosely kept in a drawer or are they also wrapped  in sterile packaging?
• Look at the saliva drain, you may not believe this, but some dentist do not bother replacing them!
• Does your dentist use a Type B autoclave (sterilisation device)?
• Are mirrors, probes and pincers simply lying around on a tray, or do they have their own container?
• Does your dentist use gloves?
• Watch out for things such as surface cleaners, disposable tissues and sanitary wipes

Even minor things like this can help you figure out whether this is an office you can trust, so do not hesitate to ask dentists about their office hygiene. Dentists who stick to guidelines will be glad to explain them or even show you how they work in practice.

More on sterility and hygiene!

You can tell good dentists not only by their cost estimates but by their teams!

Good communication, a friendly atmosphere and motivation are signs of team spirit – and this takes work!

What exactly do we mean by this?
Well, modern dentistry requires teamwork, no one person can stay on top of  all the aspects, much less master them.  A dentist who claims to be good at prosthetics, endo-dentology, periodontology and be a good oral surgeon on top of that is definitely one thing – lying.
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As we said, modern dentistry is a very wide field and no one person can stay on top of all developments. So a good dentist is one who works with others  and tries to put together a good team, in which each member specializes in certain areas. This kind of team gives off a positive vibe, and you can feel it!

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Assigning manageable tasks, inspiring challenges, good pay and identifying with the team (corporate identity) makes for a satisfied work force. If you feel this in a dentist’s office, and you definitely will, then you are one step closer to finding the right dentist for you. More to help you in your search tomorrow!

Wouldn’t you like to know whether your dentist is good or bad?

We assume you do, which is why this week we are going to tell you all about what to consider when looking for a dentist and how to find a good one.

As usual, we will provide you with an overview of this week’s main topic!

1. Good dentist – the cost estimate
2. Dentists and their teams
3. Hygiene in the dentist’s office
4. Explaining procedures
5. Trouble-shooting

Good dentist – the cost estimate
First of all, does your dentist even bother giving you a cost estimate?
No? Then s/he has no idea what s/he is doing!

If yes, how is the estimate structures?
Did you get a thorough check-up before you got the estimate? You should know what has to be done in your case and what will only be performed to fill the dentist’s pockets. What are we going on about? Well, in order for the dentist to provide you with a good cost estimate, s/he needs to have a good idea of the current status of your teeth and mouth.

If s/he does not bother performing a check-up, then it is likely s/he will only do things that cost a lot, namely implants and crowns.

You can always tell good estimates from bad ones, because good estimates always provide detailed information, which is collected during a check-up (assuming, of course, that your mouth really needs an overhaul, not just one bridge or implant if your teeth and mouth are otherwise healthy, otherwise, what would be the point of collecting data!).

A good cost estimate includes:

• An anamnesis (medical history) / Patient’s request
• Findings
• Diagnosis
• Recommendations for therapy / Alternatives
• Description of procedures as needed

This information lets the dentist know what you wish to be done, the condition of your teeth (periodontal status, photos, models of your teeth, …), anything and everything you’ll need to set up a treatment plan.
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The cost estimate should consider all kinds of work, even work which is less lucrative to the dentist. This includes fillings, root canal treatment, operations such as removing wisdom teeth, etc.

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But this is the kind of work which should usually be done first, before doing more complicated procedures – you should make sure the ground is in good shape before you start building houses on it (crowns, implants etc.).

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Summing up, a simple cost estimate can and should tell you quite a lot!

• If your dentist offers you any treatment without performing a thorough check-up first, then chances are that s/he is only going to do things which cost the most money!
• If the cost estimate starts out with an extensive check-up, then you’re on the right path!
• If a cost estimate begins with the least expensive types of treatment (renewed root treatment, removing wisdom teeth, periodontal work, …) with dentures (crowns, bridges) last on the list, then stick with that dentist!

More on this topic tomorrow, and by the end of the week you should be able to tell a good dentist from all others!