When it comes to dental care, it is important to make sure that you are in the hands of a qualified and experienced dentist. Choosing the right dentist can ensure that you and your family have a positive experience when visiting the dentist. To make sure that your dentist is qualified, there are certain credentials that they should have. Nearly every state requires a doctorate, doctorate, or S. degree from a university dental education program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Most dentists are self-employed and provide dental care to the general public, known as general dentists. According to a study, people with little trust in dentists were 54% less likely to have a regular dentist than those who had a lot of confidence. For some people, their reluctance to visit the dentist stems from fear, and a past negative experience with a dentist can cause or exacerbate that fear. It is important to understand what credentials your dentist should have in order to be qualified.
What Credentials Should Your Dentist Have?
In order for your dentist to be qualified, they must have taken certain steps in their education and training. Here are some of the basic credentials that your dentist should have:- Doctorate Degree: Your dentist should have a doctorate degree from an accredited university dental education program.
- Licensing Exam: Your dentist should have passed the licensing exam in order to practice dentistry.
- Continuing Education: Your dentist should participate in continuing education courses in order to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in dentistry.
- Professional Organizations: Your dentist should be a member of professional organizations such as the American Dental Association (ADA) or other local organizations.
Choosing the wrong dentist can make dental visits extremely stressful, or else you may end up not going at all. However, remember that most dentists are good and most people are satisfied with their visit to the dentist; a survey indicated that up to 97% of people were satisfied with their dentistry.