When you're experiencing a dental emergency, you want to make sure that you're in good hands. Learn how to find the best emergency dentist in Tarrytown, NY.
About
one billion people are affected by oro-dental traumas (resulting in injuries to the mouth, teeth, or oral cavity). There's a prevalence of 20% for children up to 12 years old, too. If you encounter a dental emergency, it can help to know a good dentist is nearby.
Not sure how to find an emergency dentist in Tarrytown, NY? Use this guide to narrow down your options.
If an emergency occurs, you could save valuable time by having an emergency dentist you know you can trust. Start your search with these tips today.
Gather Referrals and Reviews
Before using the rest of these tips, talk to friends and family members who live in Tarrytown. Ask if they can recommend an emergency dentist. If they can, ask what dental emergency they encountered.
Learning more about their experiences can help you prepare for an emergency. You can respond calmly to the situation while knowing you have a good dentist nearby.
Prepare a list of questions you want to ask about each emergency dentist. For example, you might ask:
- Where are they located
- Are they knowledgeable
- Are they good with kids
- What emergency did you encounter
- How did the dentist respond to the emergency
- Do they offer extended hours
- Would you recommend I choose someone else instead
Ask the patient or parent if they encountered problems with the dentist, too. For example, perhaps there was a long wait time despite it being an emergency. Maybe the patient had issues with billing or the staff instead.
Talking to your inner circle could provide you with unique insights you likely won't find online. If you can't find referrals from friends, however, search online instead. Make sure each dentist on your list offers emergency dentistry services.
While you're online, make sure to look for patient reviews. Check the practice's website for a testimonials page. You can also check Healthgrades.com, Google Business, or the BBB website.
Make sure each Tarrytown, NY dentist on your list has a glowing reputation. If they have serious complaints against them, remove them from your list of options.
Understand Emergency Dentistry
Remember, it can help to understand what constitutes a dental emergency before an emergency occurs. Then, you can react swiftly to ensure you or your loved one receives the necessary care.
Delaying treatment could cause complications to develop. For example, you could experience painful symptoms. You could lose a tooth or give time for an infection to develop.
A few common dental emergencies include:
- Gum abscesses
- A knocked-out tooth
- Broken braces
- A lost filling or crown
- Facial swelling
- A bleeding mouth
- Severe toothaches (affecting chewing, sleeping, or concentration)
- A broken, chipped, or cracked tooth
If any of these situations develop, look for emergency dentistry Tarrytown, NY residents trust. The sooner you respond to an emergency situation, the less likely complications will develop. For example, the mortality rate for patients with an infection due to an abscess can
increase by 40%.
Your emergency dentist will help you determine the best course of action based on the emergency.
Look for Experience
Once you have a list of Tarrytown, NY dentists, determine how long each professional has practiced in the area. Look for someone with years of hands-on dentistry experience. Determine how much experience they have with emergency dentistry as well.
Visit each dentist's Healthgrades.com profile to learn more about their credentials.
For example, you should find that each dentist graduated from an accredited institution. Determine if they have a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine). Which university they attended will determine what dental degree they were awarded.
Determine where they completed their training as well.
Otherwise, consider when they graduated. If it was a few decades ago, determine if the dentist continued their education over time. Look into any additional certifications they received or training they completed.
Dentists that continue prioritizing their education after graduating strive to offer patients the highest standard of care. They'll remain apprised of new treatments and techniques. These dentists likely keep up with new advancements in technology that can benefit their patients, too.
Check the Location and Hours
Determine where each Tarrytown dental practice is located. Try to find a practice near your home, work, or child's school. Finding a nearby practice will ensure ease and convenience if there's an emergency.
Determine if the practice offers extended hours for emergency services well.
Review Services
Before choosing
an emergency dentist from your list, look into their services.
Determine if the dentist has any specific criteria about emergency services. Determine if they have a process in place for handling emergencies, too.
As you gather your research, consider what other dental services you might need. Instead of looking for a general and emergency dentist, look for a practice that can offer everything you need under one roof.
Schedule a Consultation
Consider scheduling a consultation appointment with two or three local dentists. Prepare a list of questions you want to ask ahead of time. For example, you can learn about how they respond during emergencies and how their services can benefit your family.
Learn more about each dentist's training and experience, too.
Otherwise, make a note of how they speak and act. Make sure you're comfortable around them. If you're not, remove them from your list.
Check With Your Insurance Provider
Check with your dental insurance provider to determine if emergency dental services are covered. If they're not, ask each practice for an itemized list of their emergency services. Determine if they offer financing or payment options as well.
Start Searching: Find Your Emergency Dentist in Tarrytown, NY Today
Finding an emergency dentist in Tarrytown, NY shouldn't feel as stressful as an actual emergency. Instead, use these tips to find an emergency dentist before an emergency strikes. Finding them ahead of time will help you prepare for any situation.
Want to simplify your entire search? We're here to offer any dentistry services you need.
Request an appointment at our offices today to get started.
