Are you in the process of choosing oral surgeons and feeling a bit anxious or afraid?
You’re not alone. New studies suggest that dental anxiety or fear affects about 36% of the population. Further, 12% of those people have extreme dental fear.
Anytime you’re choosing an oral surgeon, it’s a good idea to shop around.
First, think about what is important to you; office location, are they in your insurance network, the type of provider, gender, experience level, etc. Then, compile a list of potential providers that might be a good fit.
Aside from your specific requirements or desires, here are a few key things to keep an eye out for in your search.
Training and Education
Oral surgeons are required to have certain levels of training and educational experience. Make sure any oral surgeon you are considering checks the following boxes:
- Graduated from an accredited dental school
- Four to six years of surgical and anesthesia training
- Participates in continuing education to stay up to date
If your potential oral surgeon lacks even one of those, keep looking.
Oral Surgery Experience
When choosing oral surgeons, make sure they have experience doing the particular type of surgery you require.
Surgical tooth extraction, bone grafting, and dental implants are all very different procedures. Make sure you know specifically what you need. Then, choose someone with a good track record performing that particular surgery.
Professional Affiliations
It’s a good sign if an oral surgeon has affiliations with professional organizations. It means they are committed to high standards of care, and you want that of someone who might dig into your mouth.
Keep an eye out for board-certified surgeons who are part of any of the following associations:
- American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (AAOMS)
- American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS)
- Any state-level associations
If they are part of these groups, they are good options for surgeons.
References and Reviews
Any reputable oral surgeon with professional practice should have a solid reputation. If they don’t, they may not be the best choice.
Look for someone who has been practicing for a while and read any reviews you can find. Usually, businesses will only post good reviews to their websites, so make sure to check Google reviews too.
Comparing Surgery Costs
Surgery can be expensive. Check to see if your potential oral surgeon accepts your insurance.
If you don’t have insurance or they don’t accept yours, you will have to pay out of pocket. Make sure you know what all the potential costs are. Then, see how the cost of surgery compares across all your options for surgeons.
Choosing Oral Surgeons Simplified!
There is no need to fear the dentist! Modern dentistry procedures are often quick and painless.
In fact, choosing oral surgeons has never been easier than it is today. Armed with the internet, we can quickly parse out the best from the rest. Do your research, ask questions, and trust your judgment.
We hope you found our tips for choosing oral surgeons to be helpful.
If you’re looking for more helpful content, look no further than our blog. It’s chock-full of content to help you live your best life.
