Do you remember what it was like to visit the dentist as a kid? Chances are, you fall into one of these three buckets.
Number one: butterflies and rainbows. You have fond memories of choosing between wild berry or bubble gum toothpaste and getting a brand-new brush at the end of every visit was a thrill like no other.
Number two: nightmares, to say the least. Whether you were getting your braces tightened or having your wisdom teeth taken out, your trips to the dentist as a kid left you with a serious case of dentophobia.
Number three: you didn’t go. In reality, there are many barriers — cost being the most common — that prevent Canadians and their families from visiting the dentist as often as they should be.
Every person’s history of oral health will look a little different. And as you grow older, deciding when (or when not) to visit the dentist is entirely up to you.
At HealthOne, we’re passionate about providing accessible and holistic dental care to our patients. As one of the hundreds of dental offices in Toronto, we understand that it can feel difficult to find the right clinic. Maybe you already have a family dentist but want to switch to another, or it's your first time looking for a dentist in downtown Toronto.
No matter what brings you to our blog post today, you can count on learning expert-backed tips to make the right choice!
Here are 5 tips to help you find the right dentist in Toronto for your needs.
The first step you should consider is thoroughly researching a dentist before you visit them. We’re not only talking about basic information like their clinic location and hours of operation. What really matters is what their patients have to say.
Thanks to user-friendly platforms like Google Business, you can read real reviews from patients about their experiences at that clinic.
This is a valuable tool, especially if you want to learn more about a specific treatment they offer or certain members of their team. Here are a couple of examples of what patients had to say when they visited HealthOne Dental:
“I'm doing Invisalign with them, and the experience has been great so far. They are super friendly, they explain everything in detail, the appointments are super quick, and their hours are very convenient.” - Chavelk de Ios Santos
“So glad to have met Dr. Vakilian. She is very pleasant, honest, professional and knowledgeable. The dental assistant Johanna is also very pleasant and always makes me feel welcomed! All receptionists and hygienists are courteous and helpful. Overall, HealthOne Dental has great people working there. I know I’ll be in good hands.” - A Moore
We love alliteration because it can help you remember things more easily! The 3 C’s that are worth considering include cost, coverage, and convenience.
Finding the right clinic means finding the right team. There are multiple dental professionals you might need to visit, depending on your needs. Dental hygienists are usually the ones who perform your routine cleanings (recommended every 6 months). In comparison, a dentist will usually be the professional who steps in for more advanced procedures like root canals, dental emergencies, gum disease, or teeth straightening.
There are also dentists who specialize in certain areas of oral health. If you want to change your smile with Invisalign, for example, you should consider looking for a clinic that’s part of the Invisalign Advantage Program. Our Dental Director, Dr. Sunny Gill, is recognized as a Diamond+ Invisalign Provider which puts us in the top 1% of Invisalign providers in North America.
Another example is if you have a history of gum disease. In this case, it can be greatly beneficial to visit a dentist who specializes in periodontics. Dr. Ryan Noh, one of our dentists at HealthOne, specializes in this area of dentistry and works specifically with patients who require this type of care. Understanding the things a dental clinic can (and can’t) treat will help you narrow your search.
Taking care of your oral health is a life-long journey. Your needs today are different than they were when you were a kid and they’ll change as you get older, too.
You probably aren’t thinking about dentures quite yet – but knowing your new dentist in Toronto can provide those one day can give you peace of mind. Similarly, you might not have kids or dependents in your family, but knowing that a clinic offers family dentistry can also help you plan wisely for the future.
It also goes without saying that choosing one dentist and sticking with it is easier than jumping from clinic to clinic. It’s much more beneficial to have a life-long connection with a team you know and trust!
The last tip you should consider is to learn more about a dental team’s core beliefs. The dentophobia (fear of the dentist) we mentioned earlier is a real thing – and most people experience at least a bit of anxiety before their visit.
Learning more about a clinic’s approach to patient care can help calm your worries! Remember: a good dentist should prioritize your safety, comfort, and overall health.
At HealthOne, patient care is always top of mind. We believe in the work we do and want to provide you with 5-star results! Here are a couple of quotes from our dentists to give you a taste of our core values.
“I really care about being honest with my patients. If someone comes in for teeth whitening but their teeth are covered in plaque and calculus, the whitening isn’t really going to work – so I’d recommend a hygiene appointment to them first. If someone comes in for Invisalign but has a severe gum infection, we’d need to make sure we address that beforehand. Every person's needs are different and I always consider every aspect of their dental health, not just the reason they came to visit me.” - Dr. Yasmin Vakilian
“We like to be super efficient and practical in a way that can fit your life and lifestyle. Usually, for our Invisalign patients, that means we’re providing them with results as soon as possible. The patient always gets to be part of the conversation. We don’t come in authoritatively and say ‘You have to do this’ or ‘You have to do that’. We’re here to make recommendations and help you do things in the best possible way.” - Dr. Sunny Gill
Going to the dentist will probably never be your favourite thing to do. But when you choose a dentist in Toronto that cares about your experience, you’ll be leaving your appointments with a smile – and a beautiful one, at that!
Now that we’ve shared our top 5 tips for helping you find the right dentist, we’ll share a little bit more about the services you might be interested in.
Oral health is only one piece of the puzzle in dentistry. These days, lots of people are looking to achieve a bright white smile for Instagram or an upcoming social event.
A cosmetic dentist in Toronto can help you in many ways, including:
You might also be looking for a dental clinic in Toronto that can take care of your whole family. Look no further! At HealthOne, our caring dental team can treat patients of all ages. A person’s dental needs can change as they grow older in many ways. Some examples include:
Whether you plan on starting a family or have kids who also need care, our family dentist in Toronto is ready to lend you a hand.
As an adult, we understand that finding the right dental office in Toronto can feel challenging. With so many clinics to choose from, you deserve to feel confident that you’ve made the right choice!
To recap, our top 5 tips are:
Taking all (or some) of these into consideration will have you back in the “butterflies and rainbows” frame of mind! Who knows – you might even look forward to sitting in the dental chair during your next visit.
Our team of dentists at HealthOne would love the opportunity to meet you! We offer a wide range of services in the heart of downtown Toronto. From basic hygiene cleaning to emergency dentistry, Invisalign and everything in-between, we'll have you feeling more confident about your smile after just one visit.
We’re located conveniently in the heart of downtown Toronto near Union Station and Scotiabank Arena! Our clinic is located in the One York building, in the same place as our 7 other services including a Medical Walk-In, Wellness clinic, Rehab centre, and so much more. Click here to book a dental appointment at HealthOne Dental.
One Life. Live Inspired.