Tips To Find A Portsmouth Dentist

By Mia McCall


An important part of daily hygiene is taking care of one's teeth. Not giving the proper attention to the maintenance and upkeep of one's mouth could lead to decay, tooth loss and several oral diseases. Finding someone to help with the long term care is crucial and delicate and should involve a Portsmouth dentist with practices and mannerisms that are acceptable with one's personal preferences.

In dentistry, the licensed practitioner may hold one of two titles, either a DDS (doctor of dental surgery) or a DMD (doctor of dental medicine). The difference between the two are nothing more than semantics as both have undergone the same schooling and earned equivalent degrees. To become certified, they had to have a minimum of two years of college that was then followed with four years in dental school.

Some dentists like to display monikers that explain their primary practices such as preferring to treat entire families or doing cosmetic procedures on a regular basis. The American Dental Association formally recognizes six specialties which are pedodontists - pediatric specialists, endodontists - root canals, maxillofacial and oral surgeons - extractions and surgeries, prosthodontists - restorative undertakings, periodontists - gum disease and the orthodontists who analyze bite position and do braces.

A DDS or a DMD are usually selected by an individual to handle their routine care. Most general practitioners are qualified to perform some of the specialized procedures like bridges, crowns, extractions and root canals. They will write a referral for any patient who has an issue outside their capabilities and needs to get an appointment with a specialist.

Finding the right oral care provider can be a scary process because it is difficult to what to expect on an individual level. The most logical place to start is asking other people who they use and what their candid opinions are of the office, staff and practices. It may also be helpful to speak to one's personal doctor or even a local pharmacist.

Calling the local or state level dental society is another viable option. The American Dental Association's website has a list of all these agencies as well as other useful information. The ADA suggests calling or visiting several different offices in order to have multiple options.

Making a physical office visit prior to having an actual need for their services allows one to get an idea of whether their practices are going to be acceptable. People should not hesitate to ask any and all questions they have, especially those concerning topics such as fees, payment options and plans, general office hours and emergency protocols, relaxation techniques and anesthesia as well as insurance acceptance. The ease and clarity with which these topics are addressed by the doctor will be most enlightening.

While going through the process of choosing a Portsmouth dentist, take all the answers under consideration along with a few other things. The proximity of their location to one's work or home could be important, as is the helpfulness of the staff. Be sure to check for hygienic practices such as the wearing of gloves and other protective gear and whether or not the office and equipment appears clean and orderly.




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