Whether you’re a longtime Raleigh resident or relocating to this area, you should be aware of the constantly evolving options for Raleigh dental services. If it has been some time since you last selected a dentist, make it a point to be informed before you choose a Raleigh dentist. The options available might surprise you!

First of all, realize that there are more than 250 licensed dentists in Raleigh, NC to choose from. That alone is enough to cause confusion. What follows is a practical approach to selecting the best provider of dental services for you and your family.

Step 1. Learn some basic terms that might be new to you.

Here’s a brief explanation of some of the newer terms used in describing and distinguishing providers of Raleigh dental services. Learn which ones are semantics and which ones are “official” designations as regulated by the NC Dental Board and/or professionally recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Academy of General Dentists (AGD).

• Cosmetic Dentist
  Some Raleigh dental service providers refer to themselves as cosmetic dentists. This means that they provide services that are focused on improving your appearance, and includes both restorative work as well as purely cosmetic procedures, such as tooth whitening. Using the term “cosmetic dentist” requires no special certification other than a general dentistry license from the NC Dental Board. Ideally, the term should mean that the Raleigh dentist has committed both time and resources to develop expertise in providing those services. Services that may differ from those provided by a “typical” general dentist may include porcelain veneers, dental implants and orthodontics.

• Comprehensive Dentist
  Those Raleigh dental service providers who refer to their practices as providing comprehensive dentistry are communicating that they provide a broader range of services than the “typical” general dentist. The term is a relatively new one, and like cosmetic dentistry, the term is not regulated by the NC Dental Board. For that reason, the range of available services can vary. The concept is to provide added convenience for the patient – more services under one roof, no records to transfer, no additional forms to fill out, and no need to locate a different office. The added services may include periodontal treatments, wisdom teeth extractions, root canals, orthodontics, and some cosmetic dentistry procedures. Referrals to outside specialists become a rarity, but occur for very complex or highly unusual situations.

• Sedation dentist
  This is a provider of Raleigh dental services who, in addition to being a general dentist, has been certified by the NC Dental Board to have the training, experience, equipment, and trained staff to safely provide sedation. This is an important consideration for those who experience dental anxiety, have especially sensitive teeth, need extensive cosmetic procedures, or have periodontal issues. Sedation dentistry is increasingly popular; accordingly, the NC Dental Board put into force new regulations in 2009 that govern the administration of sedation to ensure patient safety.

• Sleep dentist.
  This is a term that you may come across, but is actually a misnomer used to refer to a sedation dentist. The ADA and AGD discourage the use of this term, and some state dental boards have legally banned the use of the term.

Those are the newer terms you might hear. Other terms (pediatric dentist, family dentist) are ones that have been around for many years and are self-explanatory.

Step 2. Decide which, if any, of these newer services apply to you.

Think about what services you (and other family members) might need now and in the future. Decide whether the convenience offered by comprehensive dentistry, for example, is important to you, especially if you have a busy schedule or want to deal with the same dentist all the time – someone who is very familiar with your dental and medical history.

When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, you should realize that any cosmetic dentist is qualified to perform general dentistry services. That does not mean, however, that the cosmetic dentist chooses to or is especially interested in providing ongoing preventive and maintenance care for you or family members.

When considering Raleigh dental providers who offer sedation, remember that for someone who has had a single unpleasant dental experience may be more comfortable going to a place where sedation is available – whether they actually use the service or not. Sedation also can sometimes make it possible to have several cosmetic procedures performed during one longer appointment time – not only saving you time but also speeding you along the way to the end result sooner.

Step 3. Start narrowing the field.

Now that you’ve considered and identified any of the newer types of Raleigh dental services that are of interest, you are prepared to begin your search. If you are interested in sedation or comprehensive dentistry services, either of those criteria may help you narrow your search more quickly.

Step 4. Do more detailed homework on qualifications.

With the much shorter list of Raleigh dental providers that you may have produced using an online search engine, it is time to begin the next and more arduous task of comparing individual dentists. Experience and training are important to consider, but many people find that task daunting and strictly rely on word of mouth. Here are some basic methods you can use to perform your own validation of your prospective dentist’s qualifications as they relate to you or your family’s needs.

• Dental school – Where the dentist obtain his/her dental degree (DDS – Doctorate of Dental Surgery)?  There is no official national ranking of dental schools. However, “unofficial” lists do exist. If you’re not already aware, it may be helpful to know that UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Dentistry is at or near the top of those unofficial national rankings.
• Other special training and experience – This is very important if you are selecting either a comprehensive dentist or a cosmetic dentist in Raleigh. Hands-on experience matters. Some dentists may have practiced in settings with a major focus on orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry services. Great training and experience can be gained in large major medical universities which have specialized departments that treat the most challenging cases that require complex orthodontic treatment and cosmetic restorations. In those settings, dentists learn the importance and complexity of maintaining function while producing excellent cosmetic results by working with leaders in the world of dentistry.
• Newer technology and treatment approaches – Using newer technology can lead to greater precision in dentistry. Precision can affect not only the end result but also how long it takes you to recover from a specific procedure. Newer technology and procedures can also help you maintain good oral health because the dentist can detect sooner conditions that need to be addressed before they become serious. When you have reasonably narrowed your list of Raleigh dental providers, ask the dentists to explain the newer technologies that they offer as well as how long they may have been using them. Some degree of caution in technology adoption is a good thing, so be sure to ask why they have not adopted a particular technology when you are making comparisons. Some dentists may use newer technologies in conjunction with their own self-imposed precautions because they are closely following the advances and studies that measure their effect on long-term oral health. Asking these types of questions can begin to surface useful comparison points among those on your “short list” of dentists in Raleigh, NC.
• Professional affiliations – You want to choose a dentist who is intent on staying at the top of his/her game. Professional affiliations can be an indicator of a dentist’s interest in learning about new research and dentistry products from leaders in the field, from vendors, and from colleagues. National professional affiliations include not only the American Dental Association (ADA), but also the Academy of General Dentists (AGD), the American Association of Public Health Dentistry, and the National Society of Dental Practitioners. For Raleigh dental providers, look for membership in both the North Carolina Dental Society and the Wake County Dental Society. (The NC Dental Society is not to be confused with the NC Dental Board, which is the state’s dental regulatory body that certifies dentists to practice within the state.)

Step 5. Consider payment terms that may matter to you.

How does the dentist handle in- or out-of- network insurance? Will they file claims on your behalf? Do they offer other special financing arrangements that help you accommodate paying for significant restorative or cosmetic work that you want to consider for yourself or other family members? What financing options does the dentist make available to you?

You owe it to yourself and your family to make an informed decision. Taking a little time up front to make a wise choice can result in your long-term satisfaction and better oral health. We hope this methodical approach proves helpful to you in your search.

Tags: Raleigh Dental Services // Comments Off