Are You Getting Bad Dentistry? 10 Questions to Ask

Believe it or not, I’ve had many patients come to me with substandard dental work from other dentists. Much of the time, they don’t even know it’s substandard, except in cases where their veneers and crowns are falling off. 

Because many patients can’t tell if they’re getting good dentistry or not, I decided to give you ten questions ask yourself and/or the staff. A bad response to any one of them is a Red Flag, and might make you want to switch dentists.

1.  Do You Have Problems Getting Through to The Dentist or Office?

This is where it all begins. Is it easy to talk to the office and the Dentist, or is it like getting through to the Pope? Is the front desk person kind and open to answering your questions or does he/she respond more harshly? Communication with the dentist and the front desk says a lot about the Dentist and his/her practice.

2.   Is The Office Cheerful and Clean?

What feeling do you get when you walk into the dentist’s office? Does it feel welcoming? Does the staff at the dental office seem happy and helpful? If you’re just given a clipboard and told to sit down without much introduction or sense that they even care you’re there, you may be in the wrong dental office. Additionally, have a look around the office. If the office is dusty and unclean, you are being well-warned that their dental office is not sterile, which means the instruments the Dentist uses to put into your mouth probably won’t be either. If that’s the case, get out of there!

3.   How Long Is The Average Wait?

While I wouldn’t base your decision solely on the wait, because some Dentists may encounter difficult problems they couldn’t plan for that day, it is still something to consider. I try to be very respectful of the patients’ schedules, just as I’d like them to be respectful of mine. I tend to run ontime. Does the office have a TV to distract from long waits? Not a good sign.

4.   Is The Dentist Rough During Dentistry?

A mark of a good dentist is being able to give treatment in a way that minimizes a patient’s pain. Poor Dentists will not worry about minimizing a patient’s pain and will be much rougher in administering routine care like cleanings or giving shots. When your doctor numbs you, is the injection barely noticable, or do they just jab it in?

5.  Will They Show You Their Sterilization Room?

Find out how they clean their equipment. Do they have a sterilization room? Ask to see it. A high quality dental office will not be offended by you asking the question and they might even show you what they use to clean their equipment.

6.  Do You See Good Infection Control Habits?

If your Dentist keeps his/her gloves on after he/she has worked on your mouth and you see him/her rummaging through drawers, writing notes or doing anything else, that’s not a good sign. And if you see your dentist doing any of these things before working on your mouth, that’s an even worse sign.

7.  When They Look At You, Do They See Dollar Signs?

Good Dentists care about their patients and improving their oral health. They aren’t interested in scamming their patients or getting as much money as they can out of them. You may believe it’s impossible to know for sure, but there are some sure ways to figure out where their real intentions lie.

• Extreme and Unnecessary Procedures. While some extreme procedures are necessary depending on the state of your teeth, if your Dentist jumps immediately to that option without covering any other alternatives that might be less expensive, find another Dentist or seek a second opinion. Now, if it is really necessary, they may lay out your options and then tell you which one they recommend, but they shouldn’t force you to choose the most expensive option. Additionally, if this dentist recommends expensive procedures every time you come in, it’s a clear sign they care more about money than about you.
• Upselling. Be cautious of Dentists who try to sell you extra products like bottles of vitamins and herbs that can help your oral health. It will be hard to tell if these products will actually be a help to you or if it’s just their way of making a quick buck.
• Payment. If a dentist requests the full payment for your dental work before the dentist even begins the work, red flag.
• Checking the Bill. If you had a simple dental appointment with no major problems, your bill should reflect that. If a dental office spends a lot of their time itemizing your bill and suggests costly procedures every time you go in, or if they are not willing to work with you on a payment plan, it’s time to find another Dentist.

8.   Is the Dental Work Durable?

There are times when a patient bites into something he or she shouldn’t, and damages good dental work. But if that’s not the case, your dental work should last for years. If your fillings fall out, veneers come off and crowns come loose not long after the work has been completed, it could be a sign that you are seeing a bad dentist. However, if you opened a beer bottle with your teeth and your filling or crown came loose, don’t blame your Dentist.

9.   Who Does the Staff go to for Dentistry?

Get to know your front desk person and dental hygienist. Ask him/her if their family gets their dental work done at that office. If they say no, that should be a red flag for you. If the staff isn’t even comfortable bringing their family there, then you shouldn’t be comfortable going there either.

10.   How Do You Feel After the Work is Done?

With most procedures, the patient feels normal immediately after the anesthetic wears off. After certain infections or dental procedures, it can take a few days to feel normal again. How do you feel 3 days after your appointment? Your Dentist is supposed to improve your dental health not create more problems. A good Dentist can provide his/her patients with routine services without causing you longer discomfort. If you are still experiencing bleeding weeks or months after you have had a root canal, crowns, bridges, or if you dentures keep falling out, then you need to find a new Dentist, no question.

If you feel like you might need to upgrade your dentist, give my office a call at 860-561-2121, or contact us online.

Keep smiling,

Dr.Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and  New Britain, Connecticut.  She is a Clinical Instructor at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and has won several awards naming her regional “Best Dentist” and “Top Dentist.” She is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Tel: 860-561-2121