This is a very common question for people seeking dental treatment especially those seeking second opinions. Unfortunately many people perceive dentistry as strictly a commodity and as any reasonable person looking to purchase a commodity would want to find the best price. But dentistry cannot be considered a commodity because the vast differences in materials, craftsmanship and technical skill of the dentist.
As an example let’s take a look at cars or televisions. True, there are many different makes and models but you can compare those makes and models at different stores or dealers. The stores or dealers may be different in many ways but the product you’re purchasing will be the same.
Unfortunately this cannot be said of dentistry or medicine. There are very noticeable and critical differences in areas such as technical skill, training, experience, laboratory work, materials, philosophy, esthetic value and attention to detail. That makes comparing crowns and their cost like comparing apples and oranges. It’s just not possible, especially in light of the differences mentioned above.
It is difficult for the patients to ascertain the quality of the dental care they are receiving. Fortunately there are some basic guidelines that you can use when selecting a dental office. It is important that the office do a very thorough initial exam that should include taking your medical and dental history, oral cancer screening, periodontal screening and recording, and evaluating your bite and TMJ. In other words, you need a thorough exam of the entire mouth and chewing system.
But just as important is the ability to feel comfortable and develop rapport with the dental team. Make sure the dental staff really listen to you and want to help you stay healthy. Your objective should be to find dental care at a good value (quality at a fair fee) not just to trust your oral health to the lowest bidder.
Plano dentist, Dr. Thompson maintains his private dental practice (Imagecare Dental) in Plano, TX. For more information on this or any other dental topic, please visit: http://www.imagecaredental.com . If you have questions for Dr. Thompson, please send an e-mail to: patientcare@
