The California Dental Association (CDA) publishes a Dental Patient Bill of Rights that can help determine how to choose the right dental care provider.
All patients have the right to:
• Schedule an appointment with a dentist in a timely manner.
• See the same dentist every time they receive dental treatment.
• Know the type and expected cost of treatment in advance.
• Expect dental team members to use appropriate infection and sterilization controls.
• Ask about treatment alternatives and be told, in understandable language, the advantages and disadvantages of each.
• Ask a dentist to explain all treatment options regardless of insurance coverage or cost.
• Know the experience, education and training of a dentist and the dental assistant staff.
• Know the professional rules, laws and ethics that apply to dentists and their dental teams.
• Choose a personal dentist.
Also consider the following issues when choosing a dentist:
• Always ask about the most up-to-date treatments, because treatment options have changed over the past few years.
• Check with a state or national dental association to find out of a prospective dental office has had complaints registered against it.
• Insurance doesn’t have to be the only consideration when choosing a dentist, but it can save money.
• Consider getting a second opinion whenever an extensive treatment plan is suggested.
• Referrals from friends who’ve had first-hand experiences are a good way to pre-screen dentists.
