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Realistically, you’re probably not going to see trash scattered around the waiting room or leftover blood on a chair. However, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires all dental practices to follow specific sterilization guidelines; for example, disinfectants should be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). You may also see barrier tape (usually blue in color) on commonly touched surfaces like door handles or countertops to indicate that these areas need to be disinfected, Dr. Gonchar says.
Now, how the hell are you supposed to know the inner workings of your dentist’s office? For one, you can expect instruments to be packaged in sterilized bags or separate containers, per the CDC. In other words, sickle probes (those pointy metal things used to, yep, probe your mouth for cavities) and syringes shouldn’t just be lying out on the counter or metal tray. “The patient should also be given a bib and glasses, and the dentist or their assistants should similarly wear protective coats, masks, and gloves,” Dr. Gonchar adds.
And if you want extra peace of mind, “ask for a tour of the office,” Dr. Cu suggests. “Most reputable teams will be proud to show you their sterilization area, and if not, dental assistants can usually explain the specific infection control procedures.” If the staff seems confused, annoyed, or unwilling to share these details, they may not have clear protocols in place (or just aren’t very friendly, which you also don’t want).
6. They offer only one treatment plan—with no alternative options.
This red flag is situational because in some cases, there really is only one course of action. “If a nasty tooth infection progresses to the point where your face is swollen and your overall health is at stake, for instance, extraction may really be the only solution,” Dr. Cu says.
However, “there is almost always more than one approach when making diagnoses or treatment plans, and your provider should offer several suggestions while explaining the risks and benefits of each,” Dr. Gonchar says. (After all, it’s ultimately up to you to choose what fits your needs and budget.)
So if a dentist pushes for only one elaborate—and possibly expensive—plan and insists there are no other alternatives, that could be a sign that they’re motivated by money, Dr. Gonchar warns. And even if their single solution isn’t particularly complex or costly, that may still be a red flag—they could be prioritizing speed and convenience, Dr. Cu says. (No one wants a dentist who’s in a hurry.)
7. They aren’t willing to break down the treatment process.
Speaking of treatment options, the difference between a quality and a crappy dentist is one who elaborates on all that complicated dental jargon (periodontitis or bruxism, anyone?) that you probably didn’t learn in school.
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