In Canada, at least 75% of the population now visit the dentist at least once a year. That's a massive increase of 25% from back in 2010.
This is excellent news, considering the speed at how plaque develops on the teeth. It's the sticky, clear film that forms on tooth surfaces, and it's one of the primary causes of dental decay. It takes as little as two to six hours to colonize on the teeth.
As such, if you haven't had a dental check-up for quite some time now, you may be thinking of googling, "find a dentist near me." While this line of thought puts you on the right track, it may take you a while to find an open Oshawa dental office. Ontario's dentists, after all, must meet at least 65 recommendations when they reopen.
Don't worry, though, as we've compiled this guide to help address your question, "how to find a dentist near me?" Keep reading so that you can learn how to keep your pearly whites and gums healthy!
Set Browser Location When You Google "Find a Dentist Near Me"
Google, Chrome, Safari, and other browsers ask for location-related permissions. As such, when you do your search for a nearby dentist, allow your browser to access your location. This way, your internet browser can detect where you are and base your search from there.
For example, let's say that you key in "how to find a good dentist near me" on the Chrome application on your phone. You may encounter a message saying, "https://www.google.ca would like to use your current location." If you see this, hit "OK" so that the app can start searching for an Oshawa dentist closest to you.
You can also do this when you use Google Maps or any other internet browser. One of the upsides of doing this is that you also get a map with the directions to the dental office, as well as proximity. So, it'll be even easier to determine how close you are to the dentist.
Confirm That the Dentist Accepts Your Dental Insurance Plan
In Canada, almost two-thirds of the population had private dental insurance in 2018. The public health care plan OHIP, after all, doesn't include dental services.
The great news is, many Ontario employers provide dental benefits to their workers. This is true for two-thirds of employees in Ontario, as they get dental benefits through work.
With that said, as you search for a nearby dentist, be sure to check if they accept dental plans too. This way, you can maximize your insurance coverage and pay much less for your dental visit.
If you don't have dental insurance, don't worry: you can still get affordable dental care in Oshawa, ON. Many of today's highly-reliable dentists welcome uninsured patients all the time.
Check the Dentist's Availability
If you searched for "find a good dentist for adults near me" online, you likely saw that a few of them have "closed" tags. You may have also seen their hours of operation, or when they're opening again. However, with the current health situation, not all dental offices may have reopened.
Fortunately, you will still find Oshawa dentists operating seven days a week. What's more, some of them open early at 6:00 in the morning and close late at 9:00 in the evening during weekdays. This is even more beneficial if you have work or school, as it means you don't have to file a leave or be absent to see a dentist.
Find Out If the Dentist Offers the Dental Services You Need
Tooth decay affects almost 100% of adults worldwide. In Canada, though, only 5.5% of adults and 23.6% of children have untreated cavities.
While oral health has improved so much in the Great White North, dental decay is still prevalent. One reason is that a tooth cavity, at its earliest stages, often doesn't have signs and symptoms.
That's also why it's super important to see an oral health care provider once every six months. Your professional but caring dentist can spot otherwise "hidden" signs of dental cavities.
Tooth decay is treatable, but in severe cases, you may already need dental restoration. Dental crowns, for instance, can restore badly-decayed teeth and also help reinforce them. Tooth implants, in turn, can serve as a long-term replacement for lost teeth.
Not all Oshawa dental offices may provide restorative dentistry, though. So, as you search for one, be sure to ask each dentist about the exact types of dental services they provide. This way, you know for sure that they can treat you before you book a dental appointment with them.
Ask the Dentist How They Handle Nervous Patients
In one survey, 5.5% of Canadian participants reported that they were "very afraid" of going to or seeing a dentist. As a result, half of them found themselves avoiding or canceling their appointment.
If you have dental anxiety or fear, it may have kept you away from necessary oral treatments. In this case, you should consider seeing a dentist who offers sedation dentistry. With this, you'll feel calmer while you relax in the dentist's chair.
There are even some methods wherein you'll have no recollection of the procedure!
With that said, sedation dentistry can be a great option if you have major fears about seeing a dentist. So, when you get in touch with a dental office, ask them if they offer such services.
Don't Let Busy Schedules or Fears Get in the Way of Your Oral Health
There you have it, the ultimate guide that answers your question, "How to find a dentist near me?" Now that you know, it's time to start your search and book an appointment as soon as possible. This way, you can get the treatments you need even with a hectic schedule, or if you have dental anxiety.
If you're looking for a dental team in Oshawa, please know that Taunton Village Dental is here to help. Our dentists provide preventive, general, restorative, and cosmetic services. Please feel free to connect with us now to learn more or book your appointment online!
