Almost all dentists achieve a baccalaureate degree before going to dental school. The minimum qualification is 2 years of pre-dental college. Dental school requires 4 more years.

Dentists can be licensed dental practitioners who have achieved a D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine) or D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree.

A state license is then awarded after passing national and state board examinations. Dentists who wish to specialize spend two or more years in advanced training in dental college.

They then must get board-certified in their specialty. The American Dental Association certifies the following eight specialties.

* Dental public health: Prevention and control of dental disease and promotion of community dental health

* Endodontics: Prevention and treatment of diseases of the root pulp and related structures (root canal therapy)

* Oral and maxillofacial pathology: Diagnosis of tumors, other diseases, and injuries of the head and neck

* Oral and maxillofacial surgery: Tooth extractions; surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects of the mouth, jaw, and face

* Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics: Diagnosis and correction of tooth irregularities and facial deformities

* Pediatric dentistry: Dental care of infants and children

* Periodontics: Treatment of diseases of the gums and related structures

* Prosthodontics: Treatment of oral dysfunction through the use of prosthetic devices such as crowns, bridges, and dentures

Positive Signs

A top dentist takes a keen interest in patients and their health. They prefer prevention. They use x-ray films and usually include a full-mouth exam. A conscientious dental examination includes teeth, gums, tongue, lips, inner cheek, palate, and facial and neck skin. It can also involve feeling the neck for enlargement of the thyroid gland and abnormal lymph nodes. Inspection of crevices between gums and teeth with a periodontal probe should also be done in adults.

Make sure that your dentist is keeping detailed records on the findings of your dental examinations. Regular dental exams can discover problems early. Routine teeth cleanings and dental evaluations, including early interventions helps you escape costly fixes. Your best dentist will schedule how often you need to visit based on how fast your dental health changes over time. (Ideally, you will be put on a regular schedule and called each time your next check-up is due.)

The cost for high-quality dental work is not the best way to judge quality. Pay attention to how long the dentist takes to do the work. High-quality dentistry takes time and careful attention to detail. Furthermore, high-quality dental work lasts years longer than does low-quality dental work. Before starting treatment, make sure you have a clear understanding of what your dentist recommends and what to expect from it. Get each possible option, because there may be more than one way to get what you want. (There are several ways to replace a missing tooth, for example, including a removable bridge, a fixed bridge, or an implant. Each treatment has different advantages, disadvantages, and costs.

Negative Signs

Be wary of outrageous advertising, fancy office gadgets, expensive office space, and marketing hype. They have nothing to do with quality care and may drive up prices. Also watch closely for low fees While this may seem like a good bargain, cheap prices may be associated with a greater number of services, resulting in higher overall cost.

Dentists whose ads overemphasize cosmetic dentistry or one-visit comprehensive treatment may not offer long-term maintenance care that does not make them enough money.

Routine use of general anesthetic is another bad sign. It means that patients are exposed to unnecessary dangers. The vast majority of patients do not need it for regular dentistry.

Be cautious about dentists who recommend extensive treatment plans. In 1996, a reporter for Readers Digest visited 50 dentists in 28 states and found a wide range of fees and recommendations. His visits cost from $20 to $141. He also brought in his own x-ray films and mentioned to each dentist that he was well-covered by insurance. All he needed when he began was repair for one molar. Only 12 out of the 50 dentists made this same recommendation. One dentist told the reporter that he needed to get all of his teeth crowned, at a cost of $13,340. The lowest estimate among all the dentists was $500 and the highest was almost $30,000. This and similar investigations underscore the importance of getting a second opinion when extensive work is recommended. Ideally, this would be by a dentist who is affiliated with a dental school. Fortunately, the Phoenix area now has two dental schools.

Other Tips

Line up a family dentist before an emergency arises. The best dentists can be found by asking among friends and other people you know and trust. A good first step is to schedule a "get acquainted" visit to see how well the dentist and his staff interact with you. This is the best time to ask about fees and payment plans. It is best to have a written understanding of what fees will be charged and when payment will be due.

Evaluating Treatment Afterwards

Consumers Research suggests that you answer for judging a dentist's skills after you have received treatment:

* How does your bite feel?
* Is any of the dental work irritating your gum?
* Does the treated tooth look like a tooth?
* Does dental floss or your tongue catch on the tooth?
* Did the dentist take time to polish your fillings?
* Do you feel pain when drinking hot or cold liquids?
* Was any debris left in your mouth after treatment?
* Does the dentist use a water spray to cool your teeth while drilling?

Use your own thoughts to decide whether you got top treatment.