Finding a Dentist

The ADA (American Dental Association) provides several recommendations when you are looking for an emergency dentist in St. Catharine’s Ontario. 

• Call your state or local dental society. The ADA offers a list of state and local dental societies on its site (https://www.ada.org). Your state and local dental societies also might be registered in the phone directory under “associations” or “dentists”. 

• Ask your existing dentist to make a suggestion if you are moving. 
• Ask your local pharmacist or family doctor. 
• Ask co-workers, neighbors, friends, or family for suggestions. 

The ADA recommends visiting or contacting more than 1 dentist before choosing one. 

What to Look For When Selecting a Dentist? 

Your dentist and you would be long-term dental health care buddies. Thus, you must look for someone you could be comfortable with. Consider asking the questions below as a starting point to find an appropriate dentist to fit your requirements: 

• What is the office hours of the dentist? Is it flexible for your schedule?  
• Is his/her office easy to visit from home or work? 
• Where was he/she trained and educated? 
• What is the approach of the dentist to preventive dentistry? 

• How frequent does he/she visit conferences and keeping workshops for education? 
• What kind of anesthesia is he/she eligible to use to help you feel more comfortable and relax during any required oral treatment? 
• Does he/she participate in your oral health program? 
• What is the office policy of the dentist on appointments that are missed? 

If you are visiting the office of the dentist: 

• Does his/her office look orderly, neat, and clean? Do every surface and tools in the treatment room look hygienic? 
• Is the dental staff willing to give you answers? 
• Do you see the staff and dentist wearing protective gear, such as gloves, during actual treatment for a patient? 

Where Do Individuals with Unique Requirements get Oral Care? 

The ADA Council on Interprofessional Relations, Prevention, and Access recommends following these for seeking oral care if you have unique needs: 

• Tell him/her about your financial conditions or unique health. 
• Ask if he/she has experience or training in treating people with your unique condition. 
• Ask if he/she has a curiosity in treating people with your unique condition. 
• Know if he/she participates in your oral insurance plan. 

Additionally, the council recommends that people with particular needs: 

• Call the oral director at your state dept. of public health. The site of ADA offers information on finding this individual. 
• Call the nearest hospital oral department or oral school clinic, especially if it’s connected with a big university. 
• Call the Association of Special Oral Dentistry. 

Where Could You Learn About Low-Cost or Charitable Oral Care? 

Call or state oral society to know if there are programs in your location because oral assistance plans vary from one state to another. Oral school clinics are one source of cheap oral care. A list of oral school clinics is given by the ADA. In general, oral expenses in school clinics cover tools and materials. Your state oral society could inform you if there’s an oral school clinic in your location.