For many Australians, choosing a dental clinic simply means opening up Google Maps and seeing which is nearest. While distance is an important factor, there are many other things you should consider if you want to receive the best care. Different dentists have different specialisms, and of course, they are people too. This means that some may be more or less personable, professional, and error-prone than others. Here is what you need to know to pick a good one.
Solid Reviews and Reputation
While word-of-mouth recommendations from sources you trust can provide very useful guidance, they do not always give you a good idea of the average patient experience. For that, it is better to look online. However, do not head straight to the website of the dental clinic you are considering. While the patient testimonials they display may be honest, they are probably also biased. You want to look for reviews from independent sources instead.
You can find independent reviews by doing a web search for the clinic, e.g. “Smile On dental clinic in Forster,” followed by the word “reviews.” Look for reviews on aggregator sites like Glassdoor, or If the clinic is listed on Google Maps, you can usually see some reviews there.
Qualifications and Experience
In Australia, you are unlikely to come across many unlicensed dental clinics, but nonetheless, it is always worth taking a look at the qualifications of the staff. This is because you may be able to glean some information about whether they have continued to educate themselves after graduating, received training in the latest procedures, and whether they belong to any professional associations. The latter can indicate that they provide a higher standard of care.
If you have dental needs beyond a basic checkup and cleaning, then see if the dentist has specialized in what you need. There are many different specialisms within dentistry, such as orthodontics, endodontics, and maxillofacial surgery. These deal with more complicated issues, which is where experience really counts. Try to find out how long they have been practicing their speciality.
Affordability and Transparency
Dental work is often expensive, and it is natural to want to save your money. However, it is unwise to simply opt for the cheapest clinic. To get an idea of whether a clinic is offering good value for the money it is charging, you need to compare the information you have already gathered (about qualifications, specialisms, and patient experiences) against the estimated cost. Good clinics should provide clearly broken-down estimates with no hidden fees.
You should also consider the payment options that each clinic provides. Some offer flexible options such as payment plans for people who cannot pay upfront. Some may also help you access any government funding you are entitled to in order to pay for your care.
Conclusion
The ideal dental clinic offers consistently great patient experiences and genuine expertise at affordable prices. With an Internet connection and a little bit of time for some research, it is not difficult to locate a place like this near you.