There are many reasons to be searching for a dentist for your family – you may be new to the area and looking for a family dentist in Edmonton or you may have moved to another part of the city and are looking for a dentist in west Edmonton, for example. Sometimes, however, a poor experience provides the impetus to seek out a new dental team. As a dental clinic in west Edmonton, we see new patients for these reasons regularly. Whatever your reason, choosing a new dentist is a decision that should be given adequate consideration, since you’ll want to partner with this dentist for years to come. Take the time to find the best dental clinic and the best dentist in Edmonton for you and your family’s needs. Here are some of the factors you might consider:
Specialization
As dentistry has evolved, so has its accessibility to the public. When, at one time, cosmetic dentistry required a specialist in that area, many elective procedures like Botox®, teeth whitening, and veneers can now be accessed through general and family dentists who have sought additional training. Still, some procedures, like dental implants, are not performed at every office. If you are seeking a particular procedure, ensure that you make it part of your decision or be prepared to be referred outside of your regular clinic for these specialized procedures.
Disabilities
If you or someone in your family has a disability or a condition that requires some extra care and attention, you may consider a pediatric or family dentist in Edmonton or pediatric dentist. A family dentist in Edmonton is familiar with working with children and has the added benefit of being able to continue to work with children as they age. While a patient can age-out of a pediatric dental practice, your family doctor will be happy to continue to see their patients as they age. Similarly, a family dentist is able to care for patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Seeing a dentist who has experience with children means that the dental team is ready to help most anyone feel comfortable in the dental chair.
Hours
Dentists in Edmonton maintain different hours than each other. While a family dentist downtown may hold strict hours that reflect the needs of their patients, a family dentist in west Edmonton may stay open into the evening on some days of the week and open on Saturdays. Consider the hours that work best for your family before selecting your dentist in West Edmonton or your area of choice. Family dentists may offer group appointments in order to accommodate all members of the family on one day. If this is important to you, be sure to do your research.
Dentist Near Me, Please!
If you don’t have any serious health concerns that require you to see a specialist and you aren’t also responsible for attending family member appointments, you may not mind commuting to your dentist once or twice per year. For most families, however, a commute to the dentist for dental checkups means multiple trips for parents driving their children to appointments – more if they require procedures. Between work, school and out-of-school activities, your schedule can feel stretched thin. Seeing a dentist near your home increases the convenience of attending these appointments.
Customer Reviews
If you are looking for a dentist in westside Edmonton, Lotus Dental Wellness would love to make your short list. We recommend narrowing down your choices of clinic to your top two clinics before you take your short list online and start looking at what patients have to say about their experiences with each in order to help you make your decision. Google reviews are a great way to start your research here. Just type in the name of your dental clinic and ‘reviews’ to see what others are saying.
It is important to keep in mind when reading reviews that they are typically a subjective perspective. A few poor ratings out of hundreds of reviews should not be seen as the same as a few poor ratings out of ten patients, for example.
At Lotus Dental Wellness, we know that word of mouth is the most organic way to garner the interest of new patients, and we are always honoured when our valued clients refer their friends and loved ones. Referrals feel more trust in a dental professional that has treated their loved ones, which contributes to a positive and efficient appointment. Finally, after consulting with your potential new dentist, make a decision based on how you felt in the office and in your interaction with the dentist. Did you feel rushed? Heard? Listened to? Informed? Choosing a dentist and dental team that is a great fit for you and your family makes it more enjoyable to attend the dentist and put your oral health first.