Choosing a Dentist
Selecting a dentist who meets your needs and expectations is a decision that’s too important to make without investing your time and effort. When you need a dentist, you want a professional you can trust.
Though daily brushing and flossing make a difference, seeing a dentist regularly is essential to keeping your teeth, gums and mouth healthy. Through regular visits and cleanings, your dentist can detect and remedy potential problems, offering care that ensures a lifetime of good oral health. If you don’t have a dentist, don’t wait until a problem forces you to find one.
Different types of dentists perform different types of services. Determining which is right for you depends on your dental needs. Do you need a routine cleaning? Do you require dentures? Could your child need braces?
Dentists are grouped into two categories: general dentists and specialists. Both general and specialty dentists are well-qualified. They have received a four-year doctorate degree in dentistry, which is referred to as either a D.D.S. (doctor of dental surgery) or D.M.D. (doctor of dental medicine), depending upon which college awards it. They also pass state and national board examinations. Specialists, however, differ from general dentists because they have undergone extra training in a particular area of dentistry and limit their practice to that area.