There are many different areas of expertise in dentistry these days. In the past, dentists did everything, but now there are highly specialised areas, such as veneers, braces, crowns, dentures and implants. Each of these areas needs expensive equipment and training.

Firstly, you should go to the Internet and search for dentists in you area e.g. ‘Watford Dentist’, but bear in mind the best website doesn’t always mean the best dental care – a website is just advertising after all.

You can also visit the British Dental Association website, which offers a list of both private and NHS providers. There is the NHS website too or visit your local Primary Care Trust.

Once you have your list, there are five tips below to ensure that you get the right dentist for your particular needs.

The dentist himself: Does the dentist specialise in the procedure you need? Where was he trained, and is his training up to date? Does he attend conferences on a regular basis to increase his education? If you have a family with children, will the dentist take care of the children’s dentistry too?

The costs involved: If you have a private plan, check to see if the dentist works with your plan. Is there a list of costs that you can see? If you are shopping around for the best deal, will he give you an accurate written estimate? What is their policy on missed appointments and what do they charge for a missed appointment?

The surgery itself: What are the surgery hours, and what arrangements are there for emergencies? Is the surgery clean, and tidy? Sterility of equipment and premises is vital to avoid infection. Does the dentist wear protective gloves and protective gear?

The staff: Are the staff helpful and will they readily and intelligently answer your questions? Is the phone answered quickly?

Procedures and safety: The BDA makes recommendations about anaesthetics, is there back up care if you need it?

There are a number of other questions that you might have, often these will already be addressed on the dentist’s website, but if not, give them a call. If you are not satisfied with any of the answers, then move onto the next one. If you run out of websites, then simply go to the Yellow Pages listings or your local newspaper. Personally, I think if a dentist doesn’t have a website, then he is not keeping up with the times, which may also mean he does not have up-to-date training or equipment.

If you work miles away, the hours may be an important factor too. Does the practice have an evening or Saturday surgery convenient for you?

Once you have found a dentist that suits you, keep your appointments and have regular checkups. After a while, you will establish a relationship with him and he will be more willing to attend to your needs as they arise – and especially if you pay privately!

With these few tips, you should be able to find the right dentist for you.

Good luck!