Are you searching for a General Dental Physician to improve your oral health? Hiring the right person for the job can make a drastic difference on serious issues with tooth decay and gum disease. Some people select the first dentist in the phone book. The problem with this is that you really do not know much about the dentist at all. Since this is a relationship based on a lot of trust, it is important to do your research. Here are some of the things to search for in a quality provider.

Cleanliness Search for a dentist that cares about maintaining a clean office. Do they sterilize their equipment in an autoclave? Some companies will keep an autoclave validation where patients can clearly see it. This helps you to know that your dental office uses the right cleaning tools to destroy bacteria. Another thing to notice is how the dentist works. In the past, dentists would commonly work without gloves. Now, you rarely see a dentist work without a fresh pair of gloves. This is something to notice, as gloves limit the spread of bacteria. A few other things to check on include the following:

• Do the rooms appear clean and organized? 
• Are there carpets? Do they look clean? Ask the dental office how often they have them cleaned. 
• Search for a sharps container to know they properly dispose of needles. 

Technology Does the dental office use modern technology to treat their patients? While they may have older shelving units or storage devices, you always want to search for a dentist with modern x-ray equipment and new instruments. The dental assistant will normally open a sealed bag of instruments when they are getting ready to work on patients. This helps you to see that the dentist keeps their instruments properly sterilized.  

Ask Questions Do not be afraid to ask the general dental physician questions. They want their patients to be comfortable and informed. If you are nervous about a treatment, say something. The dentist will walk you through the entire procedure, and may have some alternative treatment options they can try. The more you know about different dental treatments, the easier it will be to ask your dentist different questions.

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