There’s no time to waste during a dental emergency, so if you don’t already have a dentist to turn to for urgent oral health issues, now is the time to look for one. Of course, there’s no shortage of emergency dentists to choose from, so how can you narrow down the one that’s right for you? Below are 5 key traits that you should be looking for.
1. They Accept Same-Day Appointments
Some dental emergencies are more urgent than others, and in many cases, you can’t afford to wait to have them treated by a professional. As such, when choosing an emergency dentist, it’s best to seek out a practice that offers same-day appointments. That way, you can rest assured that the dentist will try to make time to see you as soon as they can when it counts the most.
2. They Offer a Wide Range of Treatment Options
There are many different kinds of dental emergencies that you might suffer from. Consequently, the kind of treatment you need can vary based on the situation. Since it’s impossible to predict what form a dental emergency will take before it occurs, you should make sure that your emergency dentist is prepared to deal with as many different situations as possible by providing a variety of services, such as root canal therapy for infected teeth or tooth extractions for teeth that are beyond salvaging.
3. They Provide Treatment at Affordable Rates
One of your primary concerns during a dental emergency is likely to be whether you will be able to afford the necessary treatment. A good emergency dentist will offer you options for making the cost more manageable. This can take the form of accepting your dental insurance plan or allowing you to pay for care in monthly installments through CareCredit financing.
4. They Treat You with Kindness in General
A dental emergency is already a stressful enough experience without having to deal with a dentist who seems to be judging you. It’s important to pick an emergency dentist who genuinely cares about you and is ready to take whatever steps are necessary to help you feel as comfortable as possible.
5. They Can Be Counted On for Routine Procedures
There’s no need to have your emergency dentist be different from the dentist that you go to for routine checkups and cleanings. Plenty of practices offer emergency dental care along with preventive services. By making your emergency dentist your regular dentist, you won’t have to worry about being treated by a stranger when your mouth is in significant pain.
With these traits in mind, you should be able to find an emergency dentist that you can turn to should the worst ever happen. It always pays to be prepared when it comes to your smile!
About the Author
Dr. Shane Smith studied at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center for his dental degree. At his practice in Jonesboro, he offers same-day emergency appointments to help his patients find relief from severe toothaches and various other urgent dental issues. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Smith, visit his website or call (870) 932-2644.