Important Factors to Consider when Choosing a Dentist in Southend on Sea

It’s vital that you register with a dentist for various reasons. If you have a dental emergency, it’s helpful to know where you can turn. It’s also vital to attend regular checkups so that your dentist can monitor your oral health. Registering with a dentist can also make your dental care cheaper, as you will be eligible for financing which might not be available to unregistered patients.

Once you are registered, caring for your oral health will be much easier. You’ll have reminders to book checkups and dental hygienist cleanings, so you don’t have to worry about missing an appointment again. 

When choosing a new dentist in Southend on sea there are a number of factors which should be taken into consideration. In this guide, we’re looking at some of the factors that might influence your decision. Following this guide can help you to weigh up your options and determine which is the right dentist for you and your family.

Dentist Location

When looking for a dentist in Southend on sea, location of the practice can make a big difference to the ease with which you can attend appointments. It is necessary to consider its location in relation to home and work, whether there is parking available on site or whether you will need to walk some distance to the surgery and any other accessibility issues you may require.

If you are looking for a dental practice for an elderly family member, consider how they will access the location, and if the place is well-lit at night, or in the colder winter months. Likewise, if you’re looking for a dental practice for your child, you may want to think about access with a pram.

Opening Hours

Dental offices are no longer restricted to only working 9am-5pm and more and more are able to offer evening and weekend appointments to fit in with your schedule. If more flexible opening hours are important to you, always check before you sign up.

Practices may also be able to book appointments so the whole family can attend together to save many repeated visits. Also, ensure that the dentist has a contact number for emergencies outside office hours.

At Leigh Dental Centre we can offer both evening and weekend appointments to fit your busy schedules and if required we will make every effort to book appointments for the whole family together.

Services Offered

When considering a new dentist it is a good idea to have a look at the range of dental services provided at the dental practice. There is now a much greater focus on prevention and cosmetic dental treatments.

Before joining make sure you are aware of what the practice is able to offer in-house and where you would be referred for any additional treatment needs.

It’s also work checking if they provide services for the whole family, or just specialise in adult dental care. For example, if you have a new baby on the way, you might be looking for a dentist that also offers paediatric care. This will allow you to set your child on the right path for life by attending dental checkups as soon as their first teeth start to emerge.

Infection Control Procedures

All dental practices are bound by the rules of Health Technical Memorandum 01 – 05 and will be able to explain all the procedures they put in place to ensure that instruments are sterile and the surgeries cleaned between patients.

This provides strict rules and guidance on how all instruments are sterilised in between patients and how surgeries are cleaned to ensure that there is no risk of cross-contamination. You can see the results of our latest CQC inspection online.

If you are looking for a dental practice for cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening, it’s essential to ensure they follow these rules. If an offer seems too good to be true, it’s possible that the practice is operating outside of the rules and you could be putting yourself at risk by accepting treatment from these rogue traders.

Fees And Financing

When searching for a dentist in Southend on sea, the fees charged should be considered last. Making the switch from NHS to private dentistry can be difficult for some people to accept – after all, you’ve always seen dental care as something that is available at a very low cost.

However, there are considerable benefits to private dental care that you should consider. The factors listed above are often made possible through private dental care. For example, the move towards private dentistry has driven demand for evening and weekend appointments.

Many practices are also able to offer dental payment plans that allow you to spread the cost of your dental treatment each month. This can help to make private dental care and cosmetic treatments accessible to anyone.

One of the biggest perks of private dental care is the wide range of treatments available. With NHS dentistry, you’ll be limited to treatments that are clinically required, and could miss out on cosmetic treatments that will not only help to keep your smile healthy, but will also deliver a confidence boost.

Why choose Leigh Dental Centre?

Dentists at Leigh Dental Centre are committed to delivering the exceptional care your family deserves. Mr Shah has put together a team of dentists, hygienists and nurses who have a broad range of skills to care for any oral health issues you may have. Our dentists have over 70 years of combined experience between them so you are in good hands at Leigh Dental Centre.

We are able to offer a wide range of dental treatments including cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, teeth straightening and teeth whitening. For our nervous patients, we are also able to offer treatments under sedation. For our current fees and payment plans please see our fees page.

Final thoughts on choosing the right dentist for your needs

If you’re not sure about a dental practice, the best thing to do would be to book a consultation to learn more about what they have to offer. This will give you an opportunity to get to know the dentist and their team. You can ask questions about the treatments they offer and find out if the practice is a good fit for your needs.

To learn more about Leigh Dental Centre, experienced dentist in Southend and to book your consultation appointment do not hesitate to contact the surgery today on 01702 472929.