Traits That Would Make Someone A Great Dentist

1. Comfortable With Close Interaction

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When you think about it, dentists treating their patients spend a great deal of time with their faces and hands extremely close to patients’ faces.  Successful dentists feel comfortable with being in close proximity to other people, even if they are faced with an individual having bad breath!

2. Easy To Talk To

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Successful dentists will try to learn about patients on a personal level before they start their treatment, to make the person sitting in the chair feel more comfortable. This puts patients at ease and instils a feeling that the dentist cares about them and not just about their mouths.

3. Trustworthy

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Since dentists work with sharp metal objects in the mouth, a particularly sensitive area of the body, it is important that they are trustworthy.  Patients need to trust that their dentist will try their best not to hurt them and take all precautions necessary to make the experience pain free.

4. Calmness

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Many people are either terrified of visiting the dentist or at least a little nervous before and during their appointment for treatment.  If the dentist has a calm manner and a reassuring voice, this may help alleviate the worry the patient is feeling and stop those sweaty palms!

5. Artistic

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Dentistry is often referred to as being an art. It requires mastery and technique that is unique to the profession.  Whilst it is largely based on maintaining proper oral health, it also deals with administering anaesthetics.  A large part of dentistry involves restoring teeth and creating a smile that the patient is happy to show to others.

6. A Detail Oriented Person

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As the mouth is such a small space to work in, dentists must be detail oriented to the finest degree. The tiniest alignment of something in the mouth can literally wreak havoc on a patient’s bite and tooth health.  It can cause them pain and distress and wary about going back to the dentist office.

7. A Leader

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Dentists may either own or work as practitioners at a practice so they find themselves to be natural leaders.  Besides leading a team of dental hygienists, assistants and technicians, they also have to manage other employees, such as the dental receptionists - all this besides making high level business decisions for the practice.

8. Passionate About Providing Care

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Dentists will often participate in community service by helping those in need with their oral care and treatment.  Many dentists actually enjoy helping those who have no access to care receive treatments for painful parts of their mouths.  They find this very rewarding.

9. Manual Dexterity

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Dentists very often need to perform restorations and procedures that can only be successful if they are performed meticulously. Restorations need to be cleaned thoroughly, with a need for a deep working knowledge of medicine, artistry and materials so each treatment can be a success.

10. Care And Concern Towards Patient

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A good dentist will communicate with the patient during every step of the way during a procedure by making sure they are okay and not suffering with too much pain.  A great dentist will go to great lengths to make their patients comfortable and relaxed without pain.

11. Good Communicator

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A successful dentist will have the ability to distil complex procedures and processes into simple language in order that the patient can fully understand exactly what is going on in his or her mouth. This also goes for any procedures that the dentist suggests need implementing.

12. Enthusiasm

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Being able to connect with every patient should not be underestimated. It does not matter how many patients your dentist sees in any given day; their enthusiasm in helping each person sitting in the dentist chair goes a long way to that patient becoming a regular and likely to recommend.

13. Great Online Reviews

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These days it’s so easy to get insight from other patients on a particular dentist. A great dentist will certainly have some glowing reviews but as long as most of the reviews are good and say positive things about the dentist, you can be confident that you’ve picked a winner!

14. They Check In Throughout The Appointment

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A dentist who helps to put their patients at ease throughout the appointment, by checking in on them periodically, is a good dentist.  Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients may be feeling a greater anxiety about the dentist or have concerns about health and safety.

15. Explain Why Treatment Is Important

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A successful dentist will take time to explain what follow-up treatment is recommended for you and the outcome if you decide to take their advice or choose not to. A dentist who is not so proficient may leave the decision to you without explaining fully the "ins and outs."

16. Infection Control Protocols Are Transparent

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These days, more than ever, it is even more vital to keep dentist offices clean.  It’s a good idea to demonstrate to patients what steps the surgery are taking to keep everyone safe. From temperature checks to hand sanitizing stations, as well as individually wrapped and sterilized dental tools, there is a lot that offices can do to keep patients and staff safe.

17. Up To Date Technology

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It is not necessarily bad to stick to older dental technology as much of it is still relevant but newer procedures with new innovations, with patients’ best oral health in mind, can make a difference.  A good dentist will have the knowledge and tools to handle all dental needs.

18. They Listen

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A good dentist changes into a very average dentist if they don't have the skills for listening.  A great dentist goes above and beyond, to ensure all their patients feel heard and respected. Every patient should be valued as a person and not be thought of as a chart number.

19. Care About Profession And Patients

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A busy dental practice can make good money and to be honest, there are probably plenty of dentists out there who wet down this route for that exact reason.  However, a great dentist will really care about their profession and each patient and that is something that cannot be hidden.

20. They Humanize Themselves

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Dental anxiety is a massive deal.  More than a third of the population experience some form of dental anxiety.  In fact, about 12% of people are petrified to visit their dentist.  Finding a dentist who recognizes and understands your situation is a good dentist to put your trust in.

21. Healthy Communication

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The relationship between dentist and patient is more important than you realise and healthy, open communication really is key.  When you share your dental health concerns and your budget limitations with your provider, they should listen and take that information into account.

22. Putting Patient Comfort First

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No matter what your comfort level is when you visit the dentist, your provider should always be willing to accommodate you.  You may need nitrous oxide sedation and a good dentist will understand.  Even if your current practice doesn't offer this facility, a good dentist will be able to confidently refer you.

23. Accepting Of All Smiles

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A good trustworthy dentist will never judge or shame anyone whose oral health is less than ideal.  Whatever state your mouth and teeth are in, regardless of your previous access to dental care, your dentist should welcome you with open arms. That's a sign of professionalism.

24. Provide The Care Needed

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When looking for the right dentist, you want one who will be there when you need them, especially in an emergency.  Waiting until Monday morning can feel like a lifetime if you have toothache or an abscess.  A dentist who offers late night appointments  and emergency ones is a good sign they put patients before themselves.

25. Make Appointments Easy

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Scheduling appointments either online or over the phone should be easy and the office team should be friendly and accommodating, willing to work around your own schedule as best as possible.  This flexibility about making an appointment is a sign of a good dentist office.

26. Treat You Like Family

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The best dentists are definitely the ones that make you feel at home. They will give you the space to share your concerns freely, knowing you won't be judged. They ask you about your life and talk to you like a friend This connection gives the patient confidence in the dentist.

27. Critical Thinking Skills

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To assess patients' oral health and diagnose their dental conditions, dentists must have strong critical thinking skills. These allow them to evaluate conditions, identify potential issues using their specific knowledge and they can then create a formal diagnosis for a treatment plan.

28. Flexibility

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Most dentists must have the capacity for flexibility as they may have to customise the care practices towards patients' specific needs.  They may also  need to work long hours when oral health emergencies arise. When dentists are flexible with their schedules and with the type of care they offer, patients may feel more comfortable.

29. Business skills

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It's quite common for dentists to have their own practices and to run them successfully, they must understand basic business concepts.  They need an aptitude to create a sound plan for operations, billing, payment and other factors. Additionally, dentists may employ other professionals to work with them, which requires dentists to understand government regulations for employment.

 Stay Up To Date On Trends In The Field

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The field of dentistry, much like other medical fields, is continually evolving and introducing improved treatments and care. Dentists can read journals or attend training sessions to take part in workshops to learn new information. Staying up to date on trends in the field can allow dentists to advance their skills.