Did you recently knock out a tooth in an accident? Perhaps you've developed an abscess. Don't worry; you're not alone.
About 20% of people suffer from trauma to their teeth at some point in their lives. Thankfully, emergency dental care can help. Make sure to visit your emergency dentist in Missoula, MT, right away.
Not sure how to go about choosing an emergency dentist? Here are seven tips that can help.
With these tips, you can vet your options for dentists and find a professional you can count on. Their emergency care experience will ensure you find a solution to your oral health concerns.
Don't wait until an accident strikes, though. Instead, prepare yourself ahead of time by vetting your options for dentists now. If there ever is an emergency, you'll have peace of mind knowing who to call.
Discover the best emergency dentist in town with these tips today.
1. Look For Experience
Start by talking with friends, family members, and neighbors in the area. Ask if any of them have visited an emergency dentist in Missoula recently. If they have, consider asking about their firsthand experience.
First, determine what type of dental emergency they encountered.
Ask about the dentist's bedside manner, too. Were they kind and professional? Were they able to diagnose the problem and find a solution?
Speaking with your inner circle can help you find options for dentists to vet further. If they can't help, however, don't sweat it. Start your search online by Googling "emergency dentist near me" instead.
As you research the emergency dentists on your list, take the time to look into their education and training.
Make sure each dentist graduated from an accredited institution. Determine when they graduated as well.
If it was a few decades ago, make sure the dentist is up-to-date with techniques, procedures, and technologies. Choose someone who prioritizes continuing their education. These professionals strive to offer the best possible services.
Look for a dentist with years of hands-on experience in the industry, too. Consider how long they've specialized in offering emergency services.
Their years of hands-on emergency care experience helping patients will give you peace of mind.
2. Read Online Reviews
You can also learn more about each dentist on your list by reading online reviews.
Start by checking HealthGrades.com. You can also find online reviews on the dental practice's BBB and Google My Business listings.
Reading online reviews can help you learn more from patients who were once in your shoes.
Make sure the dentist doesn't have any medical malpractice claims filed against them. If they do, scratch that dentist off your list of options.
Try to find a dentist who already has a strong professional reputation in Missoula. These dentists will want to maintain the reputation they've built over the years. They'll likely strive to offer the best possible experience for every patient.
3. Consider Wait Times
As you continue reading online reviews, look for comments about wait times.
When there's an emergency, you won't want to wait an hour to receive care. In fact, waiting too long to receive care could lead to serious complications.
Instead, look for a dental team that's prepared to handle emergencies.
When choosing an emergency dentist, it's important to find someone equipped to handle any situation. The team should have a plan in place for different emergencies.
Consider their hours, too. Practices with emergency care experience will likely offer extended hours. If the office is closed on the weekends, look for another dental practice.
4. Check Their Location
Before making your final decision, make sure to pull up Google Maps. Determine where each dental practice is located.
Remember, there's no time to waste when you're in the middle of a dental emergency. Try to find a practice located near your home or work. Determine how long it would take you to drive to the practice, too.
If the practice is over 30 minutes away, consider finding one that's closer to your central location. Otherwise, visiting a distant practice could cause additional stress.
5. Prioritize Comfort
As you vet your options for dentists, consider scheduling a consultation appointment with a few. Visiting each dentist in person can help you learn more about their abilities.
While you wait for your appointment, look around. Is the waiting room clean? Consider how many people are currently waiting, too.
If the waiting room is in a state of chaos, consider another practice.
Look at the staff, too. Make sure they're friendly and kind. If they seem rushed or impatient, consider a different practice.
During an emergency, it's important that you rely on a staff that can keep their heads. If they panic, it will only make the situation worse.
Consider your comfort as well. Remember, you don't want to take on additional stress. Instead, find a practice where you'll feel comfortable.
6. Review Their Services
Different situations are characterized as dental emergencies. It's important that you know how to identify an emergency before one strikes. Otherwise, you might not seek the immediate help you need.
For example, dental emergencies can include:
- Tooth or gum abscesses
- Chipped, broken, or cracked teeth
- Bleeding mouths
- Broken braces
- Facial swelling
- Knocked-out teeth
- Lost crowns or fillings
An abscess can cause an infection. If the infection spreads, it could increase your mortality rate by 40%. It's important to seek help from an emergency dentist as soon as possible.
Before choosing an emergency dentist, check their services. Make sure they're prepared to handle a range of emergencies.
7. Consider Pricing
Consider each practice's pricing before making your final choice. You might want to determine if they fall under your insurance plan, too.
If they don't, ask the practice about their dental care costs and financing options instead.
Don't make your final decision based on the price. Instead, review your notes.
Choose the most qualified dentist on your list.
Start Searching: 7 Tips for Choosing an Emergency Dentist in Missoula, MT
Choosing an emergency dentist doesn't have to feel stressful. Instead, use these tips to start vetting your options. With these tips, you can find the best emergency dental care practice in Missoula.
You'll have peace of mind knowing a qualified dentist is a phone call away.
Don't wait to seek help. We're here for you.
Contact our practice today to schedule your next appointment.