When it comes to choosing a Bristol dentist, first impressions count for a lot, and even small interactions can signal whether you’re in the right place. Is it a relaxed, welcoming practice? Does its team handle your enquiry with care? Feeling heard and valued from the outset is a great sign. But beyond this, there’s a lot you can do to be sure you’re putting your health (and your money) in the best hands.
Asking some carefully selected questions will help you gather the facts to make a strong, informed choice. So, if you’re thinking of going ahead with treatment, here are some things you could ask…
When can you fit me in?
There’s nothing as frustrating as a waiting list, especially if you have a dental issue or are experiencing discomfort. We’d always suggest having an up-front conversation about potential waiting times and appointment availability before committing to a treatment plan. For instance, how long might you have to wait? And, if you have a busy, full-time job, is your Bristol dentist open for weekend or evening appointments? Opening seven days a week allows our practice to serve patients better, but some enforce a more traditional “nine to five” working week, so it’s good to know this in advance.
How much can you offer in-house?
Depending on the treatment you need, some smaller or less-well-equipped practices might complete certain stages themselves, before handing elements over to a third party (like a local hospital). Involving others will often slow things down, so in most cases, we prefer to keep care within our own practice; this makes the process smoother, faster, and less stressful for our patients. Specialist treatments such as removing oral cysts and tumours, carrying out biopsies, and extracting wisdom teeth, can all be carried out by our team, avoiding the need for a lengthy hospital referral.
What technology can you use to help me?
Dental technology is constantly evolving, with fresh innovations making treatments faster, easier, and more predictable. The technology available within a practice makes a big difference to overall success, and with every passing year, the gap between those who embrace this and those who don’t is widening. For instance, advances in digital scanning mean that some practices (like ours) can offer digital X-rays, rather than film – automatically transferring your imagery to a computer screen and using 90% less radiation. Where needed, CBCT scanning can provide accurate 3D scans of your teeth, tissues, nerve pathways, and bone. And, with the fantastic leap ahead represented by Digital Smile Design, patients can be involved in the process of shaping and choosing how their smile will look, before any clinical dental work begins.
How experienced is your team?
When you’re looking ahead to treatment, it’s important to feel you’re in safe hands. A strong, established practice will be able to talk you through its team’s credentials and areas of specialism, so that you can get a sense of who you’ll be working with. To supplement this, you can also do your own research: look online for awards, reviews and testimonials, as well as “before and after” case studies, to see how other patients have rated their experience.
Do you offer sedation?
If you’re a nervous patient, modern dentistry means you don’t have to suffer with anxiety or resort to stalling tactics. You can simply find a dental practice that offers conscious sedation. This uses an intravenous solution (administered through the back of your hand), which allows you to remain awake but feel relaxed throughout the procedure. We’ve found it to be fantastic for patients with dental phobia, who might otherwise delay their treatment. However, to offer sedation, practices need to have a qualified professional in-house, so if it’s something you’d like to take advantage of, it’s best to check with your chosen practice first.
How much will it cost – and do you offer finance options?
Many people are naturally resistant when it comes to conversations about money. To break down some of these barriers, we prefer to be completely open about our fees, so that patients can plan ahead and decide what to do next. Alongside this, we choose to offer interest-free finance for all treatments; opening doors for patients to access care more easily. So, if you’re speaking to a Bristol dentist, don’t be afraid to ask about costs – budget is an important factor in your decision-making journey.
Can you talk me through my options?
Fundamentally, a great dental practice will truly want to get the best outcome for you. This means taking time to get to know you – talking through your goals and deciding (together) on the right next steps. Look for an initial consultation with people who ask questions and really listen to you. Ask yourself: do I feel involved? Will this practice support me? If the answer is yes, and their responses tick your boxes, you’re likely to be in safe hands.