Choosing a dentist is a big decision, but if done correctly, it can last a lifetime. Before committing to a dental office, ask the right questions and know their essential information. Which can be harder than it sounds. LifeSmiles Dental has created a checklist to help you do just that. It will help you to compare dental clinics and be confident making that first appointment.
DO THE CLINIC HOURS FIT YOUR SCHEDULE?
You should be able to book a dental appointment around your schedule. Taking off work or school for dental treatments shouldn't be your only option. LifeSmiles Dental Corp is open when you need them, 6 days a week including early mornings and late evenings.
IS THE DENTAL CLINIC NEARBY?
Location is a huge factor when choosing any service provider, your dentist is no different. Your dental appointment can change from one hour to three hours if the clinic isn't nearby. Especially if you have to consider buses, rush hour traffic, and/or if you're travelling with kids.
LifeSmiles Dental has 6 convenient locations across Manitoba, with multiple clinics in Winnipeg. Our dentists are always nearby.
DOES THE DENTAL CLINIC HAVE AMPLE FREE PARKING?
Planning for parking is often forgotten until you’re scrambling for a spot as your appointment time approaches. It’s also an extra cost you have to budget for.
Always double-check a clinic's parking situation before booking an appointment! The same goes for bussing, make sure a bus stop is nearby for those windy or rainy days.
LifeSmiles Dental offers free parking at our various locations. Plus, we’re nearby most major bus routes.
DO YOU HAVE TO GO ELSEWHERE TO GET MUCH OF YOUR DENTAL WORK DONE?
If a nearby dentist is important, do you want to drive all over the city to get your dental work done? Ask about in-house services and if your dentist provides treatment for all of them. Not all dentists specialize in all fields.
At LifeSmiles Dental, we have a lot of dentists on-site; each provides their own experience and expertise. This allows us to perform almost all of the oral health procedures you will require. Together, we bring over 50 years of experience to your dental care.
DO THE SUPPORT STAFF SHOW SINCERE CARE FOR YOUR COMFORT AND WELLBEING?
During a dental visit, some of your time will be spent with the support staff like office administrators, dental assistants, etc. Their skill and attitude can greatly affect your experience. At LifeSmiles, our support staff will make your visit as comfortable as possible.
ASK ABOUT THEIR TECHNOLOGY
Don’t be shy to ask about how advanced the dental clinic’s technology and equipment are. This can affect your comfort level, the efficiency of your appointment, and how many in-services they offer.
For example, our newly installed digital X-ray reduces radiation! We are one of the first offices in South Winnipeg to offer this service. We even offer state-of-the-art sterilization practices and laser whitening dentistry. These perks aren't available at every clinic, so it's always best to double-check.
HOW DOES THE DENTAL CLINIC HANDLE INSURANCE?
Treatment costs and insurance procedures shouldn't be vague. You should fully understand what the service fee is and how your insurance will come into play before committing to an appointment.
At LifeSmiles Dental, before a procedure starts, we will give you a cost estimate, so you can accurately plan for the appointment. If you like, we can reach out to your insurance provider directly once we have the treatment plan and fee structure to find out what is covered. This way we will have all of the information we need and can submit your claim to your insurance company immediately.
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Sometimes, if this information isn't readily available, you will have the choice of either delaying treatment until we have 100% of the information or beginning treatment right away on a pay-as-you-go basis.
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In order to make this decision more accessible, a LifeSmiles Treatment Coordinator will be happy to review your insurance coverage and give you a better idea of what your best payment approach might be.
WHAT IF YOUR INSURANCE DOESN’T COVER THE DENTAL WORK YOU NEED?
Dentists should have alternate financing options. LifeSmiles has several different interest-free payment plans to accommodate all types of budgets. Our dentists want to ensure you get the appropriate treatments when you need them.
HAVE YOU CHECKED THEIR REVIEWS?
Always, always, always check a dentist's online reviews! Reviews are a reliable source and will give you realistic intel on how the clinic is operated. Google Reviews, Facebook Reviews, and Yelp are great sources.
DO THEY PRACTICE PAIN-FREE DENTISTRY?
LifeSmiles Dental Corp offers nitrous oxide and sedation dentistry to manage your pain and stress levels or you can go the traditional route of local anesthetic and still feel no pain. When you visit our dental clinic, please mention if you suffer from anxiety or are generally nervous about dental procedures. We will come up with the best plan of action, to make you feel the most comfortable.
CAN THEIR DENTISTS FIT EMERGENCY DENTAL CARE IN? WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU CHIP A TOOTH, LOSE A FILLING, HAVE SEVERE PAIN, ETC.?
In the case that a clinic has one or two dentists; chances are, they can’t fit in emergency or urgent care dental treatments. Some people don’t come across dental emergencies that often, but if you or a family member plays sports or is accident prone, it’s a factor you’ll want to consider.
