Dentist play an essential part in our overall oral health yet so many dread visiting them. However, what we have found is once patients find a dentist they like, they often become committed to them for life. So let’s look into the qualities a dentist should possess.

Top 10 qualities a dentist should possess

When you visit a dentist before you decide to become a loyal patient, you need to stop and think about whether they are displaying the attributes that you’re wanting. Everyone will be looking for different aspects in a dentist, but the top things to look out for are…

• Do they educate patients? – A great dentist seeks to educate their patients about proper dental care, the treatments available, and to encourage good care habits.
• Do they have extensive knowledge? A great dentist should have a wealth of knowledge and be able to identify problems quickly and offer the best course of treatment.
• Welcoming atmosphere – A great dentist will never make his patients feel rushed or uncomfortable, there should be a warm, friendly atmosphere throughout the entire practice.
• Get patients involved – A great dentist involves patients with any decision-making, making sure the patient is aware of all treatment options available
• Honest and compassionate – A great dentist always needs to be honest and compassionate.  For example, A dentist needs to be sensitive to the problems caused by poor dental hygiene.
• Has great communication skills – Strong communication skills is one of the most important things a dentist can have. Dentists help to educate their patients, being able to explain information and easy to talk to is key. And if you do not understand what they are explaining you are well within your right to ask them to elaborate.
• Trustworthy – Patients need to feel they can trust their dentist to solve the problem, and with care.
• Passionate –  A great dentist needs to enjoy their profession of work, caring for patients and providing the very best care/treatment.
• A good visual memory – Dentists not only need to know about the teeth and the mouth, but they need to have good visual memory as they need to be able to judge space, colour and shape of teeth.
• Artistic – A dentist must have a good artistic flare, by this I mean being able to reconstruct a tooth or place a filling in a natural state to blend in with your mouth.

How to find a dentist with these qualities

These qualities a dentist should possess are not just traits you need to be looking out for in a dentist, but the whole dental practice. Here at Smiles, we have a fabulous team that we are proud of.

We are the leading private dental practice in our town, and that is because each and every one of our team holds all these qualities and more; you can meet the Smiles Centre team (free) or book a dental appointment (free initial consultation). There’s no commitment to join and you can ask any questions you have.

To find out more about Smiles, and what makes us stand out, head over and follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/smilescentre).