Sunday, February 27, 2011

Finding the Right Kelowna Dentist

So you've made the move to the beautiful Okanagan.  Congratulations and WELCOME!  There truly is no better place on earth to live, work and play.  Chances are, (and especially if you're from the prairies like me) you are either an outdoor enthusiast of sorts or you have had just one too many cold miserable winters! :)

After getting settled in you may soon find yourself searching for friendly, reliable professionals such as a new hairstylist, a new doctor and of course, a new dentist!  I've put together a short list of things you may want to consider when searching for your new Kelowna Dentist.

Accepting New Clients
Be sure the new Kelowna Dentist you select is accepting new patients.  If searching online, most dentists who welcome new patients will have a link on their website that gives you the opportunity to request an appointment.  This is a convenient way to to connect you with your new dental office.  (Oh, and by the way, the sooner you receive a response to your appointment request the more likely that dental office is interested in YOU and will value you as a client.)

Hours of Operation
For many people, finding the time to visit the dentist isn't always easy.  Between work, recreation and family commitments, arranging your appointments can be rather frustrating at times.  Determine what times work best for you.  Can you take time off work to visit the dentist or are evening visits more accommodating?  Many dentists have very restricted hours, while others offer extended work-weeks.  Click here to see if our clinic schedule fits your lifestyle.

Services Provided and Technology
It's definitely important that your new dental office provides the kinds of services you're interested in.  Are you looking for a dentist for both you and your children?  Are you interested in cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening, veneers or Invisalign? Perhaps you need your new Kelowna Dentist to manage your periodontal condition or maybe a TMJ problem?  Do you want a full service dentist but would like the opportunity to have your Botox treatments provided all at the same location, and in conjunction with your dental treatment?  Consider the kinds of technology offered by your new dentist.  Does your dentist still provide older technologies like mercury fillings or have they invested in more advanced treatments such as cad/cam tooth-colored restorations and lasers?



Training and Education
Not unlike any other medical profession, being comfortable with any health care provider often requires you trust in their abilities as a professional organization.  Dentists are required to accumulate a minimum level of continuing education to retain their professional license to practice dentistry.  But how much additional knowledge would you prefer your dentist to have?  Dentistry is a profession where treatments and technologies change very quickly.  Is your new dentist up to speed with the latest and greatest in dental care? Would you feel more comfortable knowing your new Kelowna Dentist teaches other dentists about the latest advances in the profession?  Click here to learn more about our commitment to education and excellence.


Clinic Appearance
Not unlike any other place of business, the appearance and cleanliness of your new dental office may give you an indication of the level of service you can expect to receive. I'm not suggesting that your new dental office needs be decked out in the latest fashionable decor, but if there's holes in the carpet or dust bunnies throughout this could be a sign that your new dentist may not meet your expectations.  A dental office is intimidating enough as it is, regardless of how it looks.  Choose a dental office with physical amenities that make you feel relaxed and as comfortable as possible.


Dental Insurance and Payment Plans
For many people, dental treatment isn't inexpensive, despite the high value of maintaining a healthy, great looking smile.  If you have dental benefits, ask your new Kelowna dental office how they manage dental insurance payments.  Some offices have you pay for your services in full, and then have you remit to your insurance company for reimbursement afterwards.  Others collect only your portion of the cost and then wait to get paid from your dental insurance company.  Either way, your costs end up being exactly the same, but it's important to know their approach before moving forward with treatment.  The last thing you want is to be surprised with a hefty dental bill without first being prepared. Your new dental office should be able to give you an estimate for what they anticipate your costs will be, regardless of your coverage or their payment policies, and they should provide this information BEFORE you proceed with treatment.  Most offices offer some sort of payment plan as well. Payment plans can help make most treatments much more affordable, and allow you to proceed with treatment sooner.  The sooner treatment is started, the less expensive the costs tend to be over the long term.
 

Complimentary Consultations
Often the best place to begin your new relationship with a dental office is a consultation.  Many offices offer consultations as a sort of "meet-and-greet" to give you the chance to get to know the dentist, the dental team and the office before booking that first appointment.  Try to find a dentist who offers complimentary consultations.  Chances are, you'll know if you've made the right choice the moment you step into their office.  You'll know by how you are welcomed, the sincerity of the staff, and how well they listen to what your needs are.  Complimentary consultations give you the opportunity to evaluate your new dentist and their office without committing to anything.


Privacy and Confidentially
For many people, part of the anxiety of visiting the dentist stems from a lack of privacy involved in the traditional dental experience.  Many clinics are designed to be open spaces where the dental chairs or "operatories" are separated only by narrow rows of cabinetry.  This can make for a very aesthetically pleasing environment, but one that lends little to your privacy or comfort.  You may prefer to have your treatments provided in a manner that protects your right to privacy and confidentiality.  This is especially true when discussing financial matters or undergoing sensitive cosmetic procedures such as Botox, smile whitening or a smile makeover.


Quality of Care
This is the one category that as a patient, can be a bit more difficult to guage when selection your new dental office.  After all, how often do you actually get to WATCH your dentist actually do their thing?  And even if you did, would you be able to judge the difference between a good filling and a bad one? So how do you know?  Well, there's a few clues to search for...
  • How many patients does your dentist treat at one time?  A dentist that treats only one patient at a time may arguably be able to provide more attentive care to his/her patients.  More attentive care usually means they can spend the time that they need to provide the quality of care you are looking for.
  • Does your new dentist always taking additional training in continuing education?  A dentist that invests the time and money to keep learning is more likely to be interested in providing the best service possible.  Otherwise, the added expense wouldn't be worth it for them.  Find out how much additional training your new dentist has.
  • Ask the staff! Perhaps no one knows the quality of dentistry provided by your new dentist better than the people that work with him/her on a daily basis.  Make a connection with someone on their staff and ask them outright; "where do you get YOUR teeth done?".  What does their smile look like?  What does the dentist's smile look like?  Chances are, if a staff member gets their dental work done somewhere else, this may be sign that you may want to keep searching...
  • Go with your gut!  Trust your feelings.  Be a careful observer of everything in your new dental office.  Listen to how the staff and doctor interact with each other.  How sincere are they?  Watch for cleanliness, clutter-free work areas.  What does the office smell like?  Your senses will help you piece together an emotion about your new office that will always be an emotion you can trust.
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Location and Parking
Last but not least, you need to consider the convenience factor.  Is it important for you that your dentist is close-by?  For many people, distance isn't so much of an issue as is the availablity of parking; and more importantly, FREE PARKING!  Ask you new dental office if parking is available and is conveniently located. 


There's so many things to consider when searching for a new dentist in Kelowna.  It's my hope that this information has been helpful and makes your decision just a little easier.  Thank you for taking the time to read this post.  Stay tuned for more tips and information on dentistry in Kelowna. 


 

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Learning to Smile Again

It never ceases to amaze me how incredible something as simple as a minor (or major) smile enhancement procedure will actually change how someone smiles.  Many clients who come to us in search of a better looking smile don't really smile at all... at least not at first.

We use a lot of digital photography in our practice to help us communicate with our clients.  One of the initial "before" photographs has the patient posing a natural smile.  But a comfortable, natural smile is not what we see.  Instead, we see closed-lip grins on somber faces or an awkward mini-smile at best.  This is where we really begin to understand the emotional connection these people have with the appearance of their smiles.  It's sad.  These people will refrain from smiling or laughing naturally because they don't have the confidence to reveal their teeth, despite how happy or excited they may be really feeling on the inside.  You can imagine how holding back like this could impact their social life, their careers and ultimately their overall quality of life.

Contemporary aesthetic dental procedures can address any issue anybody may be having with how they are feeling about the appearance of their smile.  Veneers, Invisalign (invisible orthodontics), Implants, Teeth Whitening and Botox are some of the most common services provided.   The results are amazing, but what's really incredible is seeing the excitement on the faces of these patients when they first see their new smile.  All of a sudden they begin showing their teeth when they smile.  Their true personality is finally revealed in all its beauty. Needless to say, the "after" photos reveal an entirely new expression, and often times, a glimpse of self-confidence that had been missing for a long long time. Having the opportunity to help these people and to witness this amazing emotional transformation is the reason my team and I are so passionate about cosmetic dentistry.

If you've been looking for a Kelowna dentist or a Kelowna cosmetic dentist, we would love to hear from you.  Our consultations are confidential, and always complimentary.  After meeting with us, and if you feel that we may be a fit for the kind of care you're looking for, we can begin the process of transforming your smile;  a transformation that may potentially change your life as well. 

All the best,
Trevor Morhaliek, DDS