For many seniors, those who are retired, or those close to retirement , a trip to the dentist can be quite scary. Many of these people are afraid of something being found that will be expensive or will cause problems in the future that they don’t want to deal with, or don’t feel able to do anything about it. Because of this many rarely find their way to the dentist office.
As a result, they end up living with pain, discomfort, and dental conditions such as crooked or missing teeth, which can cause serious health concerns, but can also impact self-confidence and self-esteem. Thus, when things get bad enough to make a dental appointment a necessity, many people fail to go about choosing a dentist in the best manner.
When this happens, a number of things might occur, such as having procedures go horribly wrong, thousands of dollars in unexpected costs, or other unpleasant surprises. To make sure this doesn't happen to you, here are some of the biggest dangers that may be encountered when choosing the wrong dentist.
Unexpected Costs
While many people who are retired have some sort of dental insurance, they still make numerous mistakes when choosing a dentist. One of the biggest involves choosing a dentist that is not within the dental insurer's network, which can lead to hundreds or thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. This can be extremely difficult as the access to such information can be somewhat obscured, and hard to find.
However, many people fail to realize this when they choose a dentist, and only find out when they are presented with the bill. To keep this from happening, always check with any dentist you are considering using to see if they participate in your dental insurance network, or check with your employer before contacting any dentist. Dental offices will treat you with respect and will do everything they can to help you, so answering these sorts of questions isn’t a problem!
Past History of Problems
Before using any dental professional, always make sure you thoroughly check out their credentials, as well as seeing if they have a reputation for having had past problems with patients regarding faulty procedures or other issues. It’s also essential to learn how they treat older adults. Some doctors and dentists have bad habits of not listening to the concerns of what they see as “elderly people” thinking they are too sensitive or weak. Which is why it’s absolutely vital to find one that has a good relationship with their older patients.
While any dentist will likely be licensed to practice in your state, they may have had numerous complaints lodged against them by patients for performing unnecessary or incorrect procedures. Also, if once you're in the exam chair they start suggesting you have various types of procedures done, it's always best to seek a second opinion. In many situations, they are either trying to run up your bill as high as possible, or may be working with a specialist, such as an orthodontist or periodontist, to steer unsuspecting patients their way.
Improper Training
In some dental offices, neither the dentist nor the staff has been thoroughly trained in today's state-of-the-art dental technology. As a result, once a patient sits down in the exam chair, it can become a very dangerous situation. Dentists are held to the same standards as doctors and when they mess up it is also a form of medical malpractice.
For example, an error with anesthesia might result in the wrongful death of dental patients. In another instance, instruments used have not been properly sterilized, causing infections. And in other situations, materials may have been improperly prepared, leading to cavities that are not properly filled, resulting in additional problems. To keep this from happening, always find out about the training of the dental staff, including dental assistants and dental hygienists.
Since these people will be providing much of your treatment during your visit, making sure they are trained, experienced professionals can make all the difference.
Outdated Technology
While a decade or so ago x-rays were done by radiography, today's modern dental offices rely on digital x-ray technology to get a better look at patient's teeth. Since this updated technology can detect cavities that in years past would not have been detected by traditional x-rays, it can prevent numerous problems from occurring.
Therefore, if you choose a dentist and then find they don't use digital x-rays or other types of modern equipment or techniques, excuse yourself and find a dentist who does, since your dental health will be at stake.
Lack of Respect for Patients
If you arrive for your dental appointment and feel very uncomfortable around the dentist and staff, you need to look elsewhere. For example, if the staff or dentist lectures you, belittles you, or attempts to pressure you into agreeing to expensive treatments that may not be necessary, you've chosen the wrong dentist. Like stated before, this is doubly important for those who are retired or seem older since sometimes people in this situation can be mistreated.
To make sure you have the right dentist and staff for your needs, always make sure you are not kept waiting long periods of time after you arrive for your appointment, are treated with the utmost respect, and are kept well-informed about any procedures you may need, as well as the costs associated with your treatment.
The Takeaway
Perhaps most of all, always trust your instincts when trying to choose a dentist. If you don't, you'll regret it in regards to cost and the quality of treatment. For example, if you find the dental equipment and supplies they are using are not from the U.S., or they try to sell you extras such as dietary supplements, chances are they are simply interested in getting as much money out of your pocket as possible. By following the above-mentioned advice, your oral health will be put in the hands of dental professionals you can trust.
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As a result, they end up living with pain, discomfort, and dental conditions such as crooked or missing teeth, which can cause serious health concerns, but can also impact self-confidence and self-esteem. Thus, when things get bad enough to make a dental appointment a necessity, many people fail to go about choosing a dentist in the best manner.
When this happens, a number of things might occur, such as having procedures go horribly wrong, thousands of dollars in unexpected costs, or other unpleasant surprises. To make sure this doesn't happen to you, here are some of the biggest dangers that may be encountered when choosing the wrong dentist.
Unexpected Costs
While many people who are retired have some sort of dental insurance, they still make numerous mistakes when choosing a dentist. One of the biggest involves choosing a dentist that is not within the dental insurer's network, which can lead to hundreds or thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. This can be extremely difficult as the access to such information can be somewhat obscured, and hard to find.
However, many people fail to realize this when they choose a dentist, and only find out when they are presented with the bill. To keep this from happening, always check with any dentist you are considering using to see if they participate in your dental insurance network, or check with your employer before contacting any dentist. Dental offices will treat you with respect and will do everything they can to help you, so answering these sorts of questions isn’t a problem!
Past History of Problems
Before using any dental professional, always make sure you thoroughly check out their credentials, as well as seeing if they have a reputation for having had past problems with patients regarding faulty procedures or other issues. It’s also essential to learn how they treat older adults. Some doctors and dentists have bad habits of not listening to the concerns of what they see as “elderly people” thinking they are too sensitive or weak. Which is why it’s absolutely vital to find one that has a good relationship with their older patients.
While any dentist will likely be licensed to practice in your state, they may have had numerous complaints lodged against them by patients for performing unnecessary or incorrect procedures. Also, if once you're in the exam chair they start suggesting you have various types of procedures done, it's always best to seek a second opinion. In many situations, they are either trying to run up your bill as high as possible, or may be working with a specialist, such as an orthodontist or periodontist, to steer unsuspecting patients their way.
Improper Training
In some dental offices, neither the dentist nor the staff has been thoroughly trained in today's state-of-the-art dental technology. As a result, once a patient sits down in the exam chair, it can become a very dangerous situation. Dentists are held to the same standards as doctors and when they mess up it is also a form of medical malpractice.
For example, an error with anesthesia might result in the wrongful death of dental patients. In another instance, instruments used have not been properly sterilized, causing infections. And in other situations, materials may have been improperly prepared, leading to cavities that are not properly filled, resulting in additional problems. To keep this from happening, always find out about the training of the dental staff, including dental assistants and dental hygienists.
Since these people will be providing much of your treatment during your visit, making sure they are trained, experienced professionals can make all the difference.
Outdated Technology
While a decade or so ago x-rays were done by radiography, today's modern dental offices rely on digital x-ray technology to get a better look at patient's teeth. Since this updated technology can detect cavities that in years past would not have been detected by traditional x-rays, it can prevent numerous problems from occurring.
Therefore, if you choose a dentist and then find they don't use digital x-rays or other types of modern equipment or techniques, excuse yourself and find a dentist who does, since your dental health will be at stake.
Lack of Respect for Patients
If you arrive for your dental appointment and feel very uncomfortable around the dentist and staff, you need to look elsewhere. For example, if the staff or dentist lectures you, belittles you, or attempts to pressure you into agreeing to expensive treatments that may not be necessary, you've chosen the wrong dentist. Like stated before, this is doubly important for those who are retired or seem older since sometimes people in this situation can be mistreated.
To make sure you have the right dentist and staff for your needs, always make sure you are not kept waiting long periods of time after you arrive for your appointment, are treated with the utmost respect, and are kept well-informed about any procedures you may need, as well as the costs associated with your treatment.
The Takeaway
Perhaps most of all, always trust your instincts when trying to choose a dentist. If you don't, you'll regret it in regards to cost and the quality of treatment. For example, if you find the dental equipment and supplies they are using are not from the U.S., or they try to sell you extras such as dietary supplements, chances are they are simply interested in getting as much money out of your pocket as possible. By following the above-mentioned advice, your oral health will be put in the hands of dental professionals you can trust.
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