5 warning signs of a bad dentist you need to know

Let’s admit it; with regard to our overall wellness and health, we consider our dental health the least of our concerns. We would only find a dental professional only when we encounter pain or injury, or only when we need to improve the appearance of our teeth. However, to say that we visit our dentist regularly for dental wellness check-ups is a bit too idealistic for us. But when we do need them, who wouldn’t want to see the best, right? But since there are just so many dental clinics and practices all over the country, we can never be too careful in making the mistake of choosing a bad one. An experienced dentist from MLD in Leichhardt warns us about making the error of overlooking the warning signs of a bad dentist.

5 warning signs of a bad dentist

1. They don’t perform a comprehensive dental exam and history taking.

If the dentist you are seeking consultation with gets information about your current situation but leaves the previous dental accounts behind, it may be a good sign that he is a bad dentist who’s going to rip you off. Why? Because if he doesn’t know your dental history, he can request imaging and other dental laboratory tests needed to diagnose your problem correctly. This amount of information is redundant if he just requests your previous tests and comes up with a solution based on those results.

2. They are mostly old-fashioned.

Don’t take this the wrong way. We agree that not all innovations can replace the good old ones, like metal braces. But if your dentist still performs imaging tests like x-ray using the old technology, the findings may be a bit questionable when compared to the clear results of a digital one. Diagnosing and addressing your problem will be more accurate if the dentist has up-to-date dental machines to serve you better.

3. They do not look hygienic.

This is one of the warning signs of a bad dentist that is already a giveaway. The first two signs can be a bit lenient; maybe your old files are too old (like 5 years ago) and they need to get updated ones so they do not request for your old records anymore, and your trusted dentist is a bit apprehensive in using digital equipment and feels that he is an expert in reading results using his trusted machines. But if your dentist does not observe cleanliness and proper hygiene especially when performing a dental procedure, your feet should already be out the door.

4. They have a bad reputation.

‘Where there’s smoke, there is a fire’, or so they say. If a dentist becomes a bad one, you can have a high chance that he really is. Despite the many dental ads they put on all social media outlets, if most of the reviews and feedback you get are negative, you can concur that they may be true.

5. They recommend and request unnecessary procedures.

One of the very good warning signs of a bad dentist is making you undergo procedures that you don’t really need just for them to gain profit. If your dentist wants to remove your old amalgam fillings although they are still intact, saying that amalgam contains mercury and is bad for your health, he is surely ripping you off. Removing an intact amalgam filling may even cause more problems like cracking your tooth or hurting the gums during the process. Moreover, dentists pushing their patients to avail of expensive procedures when their condition can be solved using cheaper but durable procedures is a big no-no as well.