By their very nature, dental emergencies always occur at the most inopportune moments. Whether you’re suffering from a debilitating toothache or your child knocks out one of their pearly whites, you’re going to need care as soon as possible. You don’t want to waste precious time searching for an emergency dentist. That’s why it’s ideal to find one ahead of time. Here are six questions you should ask when looking for an emergency dentist in Cary.
1. Where Are They Located?
The closer the dental office, the better. This is especially true if you or a loved one have dislodged a tooth. If you have to wait more than an hour after the tooth was knocked out, the tooth has a higher risk of dying. Do a quick online search for an emergency dentist in your area and select the one that could best meet your needs.
2. Do They Accept Your Insurance?
Not all dental practices take all insurance plans. Before you come to a practice with an emergency, it’s important to know that your insurance plan will cover at least a portion of your care. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay for your treatment out of pocket.
3. Are There Discounts for Patients Without Dental Insurance?
If you’re uninsured, you know firsthand how costly dental care can be. Ask whether the dentist offers some kind of discount on emergency treatment. Some dentists have a savings plan that gives you a discount on all services, including urgent care, in exchange for a monthly or annual fee. Others may help you apply for a low-interest loan with a third-party company like CareCredit.
4. What Qualifications Does the Dentist Have?
The best dentists belong to professional organizations such as the American Dental Association. These dentists are required to abide by the organization’s code of ethics, so a dentist with an ADA membership will always deliver the best possible care.
5. What Services Does the Dentist Provide?
Ideally, you should see a dentist who can not only diagnose your emergency, but treat it too. For example, they should be able to provide cosmetic services to heal your chipped tooth or root canal therapy to treat a severe toothache.
6. Do They Treat Patients of All Ages?
If a dentist only treats adults, there’s no point going there if your child hurts their tooth. It’s best to find a dentist who treats all ages so that everyone in your family is covered if an emergency strikes.
Dental emergencies require immediate attention from a qualified dentist. By asking these questions, you should be able to find one who can effectively and quickly treat you and your loved ones.
About the Author
Dr. Bikram Singh is a dentist in Cary, NC who practiced in India before moving to the United States and earning his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the American Dental Association as well as the Academy of General Dentistry and the North Carolina Dental Society. His practice accepts most major PPO dental insurances and offers a wide variety of emergency treatments. If you’re looking for a qualified emergency dentist, contact Dr. Singh’s office at (919) 460-5454.