Located on the Red River, Selkirk is a small city in Manitoba province in Canada. As per the latest census, the population of Selkirk is around 10,268. Dental health is of primary importance, and you should visit your dentist regularly. However, most people see dental health specialists only in emergencies like a broken tooth or unbearable pain in teeth or gums.
There are hundreds of dentists in Selkirk; it would be better to find the right dentist and not wait for a dental emergency.
1. Location and Office Hours
Selkirk has a land area of 9.45 sq. miles. There are more than 250 neighborhoods in Manitoba with several reputed dentists.
You should choose a specialist closer to your home or work. It will save you time and money and also make visits convenient.
Ensure the dentist’s office hours are such that you can visit the clinic without disrupting your schedule.
2. Cost
The service charge is a crucial factor when choosing a dentist. The fees vary with clinics, and you might find some a bit expensive while some are more affordable. However, experts mention you should not fall into the trap of low-cost dental clinics as they might not give you the best service.
You need to consider factors like accreditation, dentist credentials, professionalism, and service quality, along with cost when choosing a dentist. Make sure you balance all these factors when choosing a Selkirk dentist.
3. State Licenses
Canada has a Dental Regulatory Authority and provincial/territorial associations. Dentists practicing in Selkirk must register and obtain licenses from Manitoba Dental Assistants Association. Before selecting a dental health professional, ensure they have proper state licenses to offer dental service.
4. Professional Qualification
Dentistry is a broad category, and there are several branches of this profession. Some of them are Endodontics, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, Oral Pathology, and many more.
A general dentist provides multiple services like cleaning teeth, placing sealants, and filling cavities, while an endodontist only treats tooth pain. Here are details of the type of dentists and what service they provide.
- An orthodontist is trained to diagnose and prevent jaw and teeth irregularities.
- A prosthodontist is trained to treat complex facial and dental matters.
- A pediatric dentist is trained to treat tooth and jaw problems in infants and children.
- A periodontist is trained to look at the problems concerned with structures surrounding and supporting teeth.
The doctor should have completed a minimum four-year dental degree program from a recognized university to work as a dentist in Canada. In addition, specialty dentists like orthodontists, prosthodontists, pediatric dentists, or periodontists should have completed a Master’s degree in their respective domains.
No matter what type of dentist you are looking for, make sure they possess the required educational qualifications to offer the services.
5. Emergency Care
Dental issues come unannounced, and you need to make sure the dentist provides emergency care beyond office hours. A dentist should not refer you to an emergency hospital room in cases of unbearable tooth pain, broken or chipped tooth, or soft tissue injury.
You should be able to contact your dentist through an answering service, messages, or phone and get proper guidance to handle the urgency.