We usually choose a dentist lightly. Most often, when we feel that something is wrong with our teeth. What do we most often pay attention to when making a choice? Price, office near our place of residence, promotions. We rarely look at certificates, diplomas and attestations that confirm the professionalism of a dentist, and which can increasingly be viewed on websites or in dental centers themselves. Moreover, we assume that if someone has opened a practice, it means that he or she is a specialist and we do not always pay attention to whether such a dentist behaves professionally and cares about our safety and health. Unfortunately, it often happens that behind the promotions and colorful dental equipment of our dentist "next door" there is a lack of professionalism and serious negligence.
Just a few years ago, specialists in Poland believed that as many as 75 percent HIV and HCV infections may have their source in dental offices, beauty salons and tattoo parlors. So how can we check whether we are entrusting ourselves to a qualified person who will provide us with comfort and safety? What should we really pay attention to when performing procedures by a dentist?
First impressions matter. If you enter a tidy room that smells fresh, and before your visit you can use the disposable toothbrush and toothpaste that are prepared for you in the bathroom - or the dentist asks you to wait a while because he is preparing the office for your visit - these are signs , which may demonstrate a professional and responsible approach to patients.
Secondly, an aspect that should be paid attention to is the sterility of the tools used to perform the dental procedure. Remember that poorly sterilized and disinfected equipment may cause serious and fatal diseases. A moment of inattention and a spot of blood left on, for example, the feeding tube that the dentist will use for another patient's treatment can lead to an infection. However, remember that a little vigilance on your part can prevent this from happening. Observe whether the dentist changes the drills or opens a new package of needles, and if you are not sure - just ask and ask him to change them in front of you, open disposable medical equipment in front of you - after all, it is about your health. Ask questions and don't be afraid to pay attention to issues that cause you concern. Also ask for disposable mouthpieces for the popular "herring", i.e. saliva ejector. Even such a seemingly trivial issue as disposable cups from which you drink water to rinse your mouth during a procedure in a dentist's office are of great importance.
Third, protective gloves. Thanks to them, the dentist protects himself and his patient. However, it should be remembered that during the procedure he cannot come into contact with objects that are not involved in it. Lack of professionalism or simple inattention may result in the dentist touching the computer keyboard during the procedure, e.g. to check the condition of the teeth on the monitor in an X-ray, or opening the door or answering the phone. In such a situation, you have the right to stop the procedure and ask for a new, sterile pair of gloves, because the viruses and bacteria harbored on these objects may cause hepatitis A, diarrhea, and viral pharyngitis.
Although the diseases, infections and infections that we may contract during a visit to the dentist are dangerous, knowing what we should pay the most attention to, we can easily defend ourselves against them. As an informed patient, maybe it is worth choosing professional dental centers instead of local offices in private apartments? A dental center consists not only of qualified medical staff who will comprehensively deal with the problems with which the patient comes, but also of people who care about the image of such a center, i.e. the cleanliness of a given place, constant improvement of the quality of services and professional qualifications of the employed staff, and, above all, the satisfaction and patient comfort - his needs and sense of security.
Dental centers also differ from each other, so it is worth checking whether the facility is equipped with a modern instrument sterilization system that protects against infection, X-ray, a digital radiological diagnostic system that allows you to take a digital photo during the procedure, microscopes and endodontic systems, that help to precisely fill the tooth canals, or surgical and implantological micromotors that help to precisely place the implant in the bone.
All this to provide patients with professional assistance at the highest level and to ensure their health, comfort and sense of security, which will ensure that they will have a radiant and healthy smile both before and after their visit to the office.