By many measures, Canada stands among the world leaders for the oral health of its citizens, according to research by the Canadian Dental Association. Compared with the residents of other countries, Canadian citizens rank high among critical oral health indicators like decayed, missing and filled teeth, oral and lip cancer and severe chronic gum disease, and they have among the best access to oral health care in the world.
In fact, three out of every four Canadians visit a dental professional at least once a year and a whooping 84 percent believe they have good or excellent oral health.
The association attributes Canada’s success in part to citizens working closely with their dentists. Luckily for Canadians, there are a lot of great dentists in the country. If you’re in the Ottawa area, you should consider this Ottawa dentist.
But what should you, as a consumer, look for in a dentist?
Most importantly, perhaps, you want to find a dentist who offers the right mix of services for you and your family. Most dentists will be knowledgeable about treatments and anatomy, but not every dentist offers the same portfolio of services.
When choosing a dentist, consider whether the practitioner offers orthodontics (like aligners and braces), oral surgery (like pulling wisdom teeth), periodontal (gum) care, implants and dentures. You or someone in your family are likely to need at least one of those services at some point. Of course, you can be referred to a specialist, but it’s easier to work with a dentist who already offers all those services.
The personality of your dentist is also important, too. All dental professionals spent a lot of time in close proximity to their patients. They get right up in your face! So, it’s important that you find a dentist who is comfortable with close personal contact, who is polite and easy to talk to, who makes you feel at ease. After all, fear of the dentist is incredibly common. So you’re going to want someone who makes you feel safe.
Along the same lines, you’ll also want to find a dentist who is a good communicator. As with any health issue, dental issues can be complicated to someone who hasn’t spent years in dental school. What, exactly, shouldn’t your 11 year old eat with braces? What is destroying the enamel on your teeth? Why are your gums bleeding? You want someone who can explain things to you clearly so you can make the changes necessary to improve your oral health or keep your teeth healthy.
Something you should also know about Canadian dentists is that you can get care even without dental insurance, which, despite the country’s high quality of oral health, is still quite common. In fact, nearly one third of Canadians don’t have dental insurance.
But if you have young children or you’re a senior, just contact your provincial dental association to find out if you’re eligible for free dental-care programs – many Canadian dental offices offer them. You also can look to dental schools for affordable care, with fees as low as $15 a filling.
We all know by now that it is important that we take care of our teeth. Be diligent about the condition of your teeth, it can impact the rest of your life in remarkable ways.
