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Going for dental treatment is generally always something most of us do not look forward to. It is not the kind of appointment that most of us are eager to attend. In most cases we'd wish for the date to be moved or cancelled. Dentists are without a doubt the most feared among health practitioners. Children are often put in line when they are told they'll be sent to the dentist as punishment for behaving badly. Most of us have been terrified of dentists from a very young age. In most cases we stick with the dentist our family has known for years, but it is also wise to evaluate whether our dentists is providing us with the best treatment. If not, it's best to seek a new and better practitioner. Moving location also presents a problem of finding a good dentist. As a result, there are many of us who don't even have a regular dentist.

So, how do you find a new and good dentist? Your first reactions might be to check through the yellow pages and letting your fingers do the searching. Although, the majority of us will do just that, finding a new dentist through the yellow pages or local dental societies is not the best ideas. They may have a complete list of all the dentists in your area, however, they do not give you an evaluation, nor do they give you points of comparison. Instead, you can try these sources:

1. Check if there is a dental school close by. Dental schools are generally great sources of good practicing dentists. You can call them up and ask them for the practicing faculty members.

2. Look for health care centres or hospitals that may provide dental services in your area. The dentist in charge at such places should be able to provide you with excellent recommendations. The dentist in charge at such facility may very well know the reputations and performances of his colleagues practicing in and around the area.

3. You can also ask a periodontist or orthodontist, if you know one. They should be able to recommend a good practitioner to you. These specialists will be familiar with the kind of work dentists do.

5. If you're relocating to another area, then it's also a good idea to ask your current dentist if he/she knows of a good dentist in your new location.

Your new dentist should carry out a preventative approach. That means on the first visit your dentist will perform a thorough dental and medical history with a complete neck and head examination. Neck and head exams are generally done on a patient's first visit and done every 6 months thereafter.

Your dentist should provide you with sufficient information on how to take care of your teeth and how to maintain good oral hygiene. These are the preventative measures in fighting against tooth decay and dental problems.

Your dentist should also invite you back for regular check-ups. This is generally to ensure no problem goes unchecked. The dental hygienist should perform oral prophylaxis or dental cleaning every 6 months.

Your dentist should take responsible x-rays. Full series of x-rays should be taken on intervals of no early than five years. Not taking x-rays at all, is just as bad as taking x-rays too often.

Your hygienist and dentist should practice efficient care against infection. They should put on rubber gloves and masks when treating a patient of theirs. Your dentist should be keen to explain to you any sanitary procedures the clinic may be implementing and/or use to protect the patient and himself from any unwanted infections. Finding a good dentist is not really a difficult task, if you know where to look.