Finding the right dentist for an emergency treatment requires knowing your options. Here is a guide on selecting an emergency dentist in Riverdale, IL.

Professionals logged about 13.1 million emergency department visits within a single year. If you have a dental emergency, don't visit an Emergency Room. Instead, look for a dentist in Riverdale, IL who offers emergency dentistry services.

Make sure you have a practice in mind before an emergency strikes. Not sure how to choose an emergency dentist?

Read on for the factors you need to consider for an effective search today.

Location Matters

One of the most important factors to consider during your search is each dental practice's location.

When in the middle of an emergency, it's essential to act quickly. You don't want to drive across town (or through traffic) to reach a dental practice. Instead, look for practices in Riverdale that are near your home, work, or child's school.

Finding nearby practices can ensure a quick trip when there's an emergency. Choosing a small search radius will also narrow down your options for dentists. You won't have to research every dentist in Riverdale, IL.

Choosing the closest emergency dental office will ensure quick treatment. When an emergency strikes, you'll be glad you chose a nearby practice.

Training

Once you have a short list of options for dentists, look into their training.

First, determine where they went to school. Confirm they have a diploma from an accredited institution. You can check each practice's website (the "About Us" page) or Healthgrades.com for this information.

Determine when each dentist graduated, too. If it was a few decades ago, the dentist likely has years of experience. However, it's possible their training is out of date.

Make sure the dentist continued their education after graduating. These dentists remain informed of new techniques and technologies. They likely offer a higher standard of care than other dentists in the area.

Experience

Determine how long each dentist has practiced in Riverdale and how long they've owned their own clinic. Find dentists with years of emergency dentistry experience. Consider what type of emergencies they often treat, too.

Dental emergencies include:

Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
Lost crowns and fillings
Bleeding mouths
Broken braces
Facial swelling
Knocked out teeth
Dental or gum abscesses
Severe toothaches

Delaying treatment could affect your oral health, which could affect your overall health. For example, the mortality rate for patients with abscess infections is 40%.

Finding a dentist with years of experience treating patients in the midst of an emergency can give you peace of mind. They'll know how to think on their feet. They'll use their experience to diagnose the problem without delay.

Swift treatment can ensure a better outcome.

If the dentist doesn't have experience treating a range of dental emergencies, remove them from your list.

Referrals

Once you've done your own research, narrow down your options by turning to other Riverdale residents. Ask friends and family members if they've ever encountered a dental emergency. If they have, determine what practice they went to for treatment.

Gather as much information as you can about the emergency, their appointment, and the dentist. For example, you can ask:

What practice did you visit
Where was it located
Do they offer extended hours for emergencies
Did the dentist have a good bedside manner
How long did it take for them to see you
Were you satisfied with the services you received
Were there any issues

If the patient did have issues at the dentist's office, determine how they were resolved. Look for a practice that cares about its patients.

For example, maybe the staff was rude, it took hours to receive treatment, or there were billing issues.

Find a dentist that other Riverdale residents are already raving about. If you can't gather referrals, research the dentists on your list online instead. Look for patient reviews to determine if each dentist has a glowing reputation.

You can check each dentist's website for a testimonials page. Check their Google Business and Better Business Bureau listings, too. If they don't have glowing reviews and a positive reputation, remove them from your list.

Otherwise, you might encounter the same problems other patients encountered in the past. A dentist with a positive reputation will want to keep it by offering the highest standard of care.

Services

As you begin narrowing down your options for dentists, consider what services they offer. You might want to choose an emergency dentist who offers general dentistry services. In the future, you'll only need to visit one dentist for all oral health care needs.

Visiting the same dentist, regardless of the situation, can help you and your family feel more comfortable at their offices.

Pricing

Ask each dental practice about their costs for emergency services and general services. Gather prices from at least three Riverdale practices. Then, start comparing dental treatment costs.

Comparing costs can help you recognize the average cost of emergency services. If one practice has extremely higher pricing, consider it a red flag.

Don't select a practice based on pricing alone. Instead, review the research you gathered in the previous steps.

Which dentists have the necessary training, experience, expertise, and services? Prioritize your needs. Then determine which practice fits your budget.

Emergency Dentistry: Find a Dentist in Riverdale, IL

Don't make the mistake of choosing an emergency dentist at random. Instead, use these tips to find a dentist in Riverdale, IL you can depend on. Their emergency dentistry services could make all the difference one day.

Don't forget to improve and maintain your oral health with routine checkups in the meantime.

Need to schedule an appointment? We're here for you.

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