How to change dentist: considerations & steps
Here’s what you’ll need to know about changing your dentist.
Table of Contents
Written by NoFrills Dental
This dental article has been curated by the clinical team @ NoFrills Dental 🙂
February 10, 2022
People change dentists for different reasons. Maybe your current dental treatment isn’t producing the results you’d hoped for. Or you’ve moved home because of a new job and want to find a clinic with a more convenient location.
Whatever your reason for switching dentists, there’s no need to be put off by the process. It’s simple and straightforward as long as you go about it methodically and know the factors to consider and steps to follow.
In this post, we’ll explain how to change dentists without stress, with advice and tips on choosing your new dentist and parting company with your current dentist.
The process of changing your dentist
Changing your dentist is easy if you follow three basic steps:
Step 1 : Select Your New Dentist
Things to consider when choosing a new dentist include clinic location, the dentist’s experience, and the dental services offered. Once you’ve weighed up your options and decided on the right dentist for you, contact the clinic to make sure they’re taking on transfer patients.
Step 2 : Get Your Dental Records
Your dental records are important documents containing your dental care history, including diagnostic results and treatment plans. After registering with your new clinic, ask your previous dentist for a copy of your dental records so you can send them to your new dentist.
Step 3 : Attend Your Initial Consultation
Now that your new dentist has your dental records, you can schedule your first consultation. This may include new X-rays or digital scans to determine any changes in the condition of your teeth and gums. Your new dentist can then follow up on any current treatments and recommend new ones if necessary.
What to look for in your new dentist
While some dentists specialise in a limited number of treatments, a general dental clinic will offer a far wider variety of services for patients of all ages – a single clinic that can take care of the oral health of your whole family in one convenient location.
Family-friendly clinics can provide preventive and restorative dental care for you and your children at every stage of life. This will include check-ups, professional teeth cleaning, and treatments to repair or replace damaged teeth. Your general dentist may also offer cosmetic treatments.
So you might want to look for a dentist that provides a combination of services, including :
Adult Dentistry
Time can take its toll on our teeth and gums, with many dental problems arising from a build-up of bacteria, plaque and tartar – a leading cause of tooth loss, especially among older people.
Typical adult services offered by a general dentist include:
- Root canal treatment.
- Gum disease treatment.
- Dental crowns.
- Dental implants.
- Oral cancer screening.
Children’s Dentistry
A clinic offering children’s dental services (paediatric dentistry) can monitor your kids for any developing oral health issues. This facilitates early intervention to avoid problems such as loss of permanent, adult teeth in the future.
Besides regular check-ups, dental services for young children and teens often include orthodontic treatment – conventional braces or plastic aligners to fix crooked teeth – and wisdom teeth extraction for older teens and young adults.
Cosmetic Dentistry
A clinic offering cosmetic dentistry can enhance your smile with a variety of treatments including:
- Teeth whitening to add a sparkle to your smile.
- Veneers to conceal dental imperfections like stained or chipped teeth.
- Dental implants to replace missing teeth.
- Orthodontic treatment to straighten your smile.
You may also be able to get a total smile makeover involving a combination of cosmetic dentistry treatments.
Adult Dentistry
Time can take its toll on our teeth and gums, with many dental problems arising from a build-up of bacteria, plaque and tartar – a leading cause of tooth loss, especially among older people.
Typical adult services offered by a general dentist include:
- Root canal treatment.
- Gum disease treatment.
- Dental crowns.
- Dental implants.
- Oral cancer screening.
Children’s Dentistry
A clinic offering children’s dental services (paediatric dentistry) can monitor your kids for any developing oral health issues. This facilitates early intervention to avoid problems such as loss of permanent, adult teeth in the future.
Besides regular check-ups, dental services for young children and teens often include orthodontic treatment – conventional braces or plastic aligners to fix crooked teeth – and wisdom teeth extraction for older teens and young adults.
Cosmetic Dentistry
A clinic offering cosmetic dentistry can enhance your smile with a variety of treatments including:
- Teeth whitening to add a sparkle to your smile.
- Veneers to conceal dental imperfections like stained or chipped teeth.
- Dental implants to replace missing teeth.
- Orthodontic treatment to straighten your smile.
You may also be able to get a total smile makeover involving a combination of cosmetic dentistry treatments.
Tips for choosing a new dentist
Choosing a new dentist is an important decision that will have a significant impact on your general wellbeing as well as your oral health. Dental issues can increase the risk of serious medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
As well as the range of dental services offered, other factors to consider when choosing a new dentist include:
Clinic Location
You may be tempted to skip dental appointments if you have to go out of your way to get to the clinic. On the other hand, finding a clinic that’s conveniently located near your home or workplace will help to ensure dental visits can more easily be fitted into your schedule.
The Dentist’s Reputation
If you have friends or work colleagues who see your potential new dentist, ask them about their experiences with the clinic. You can also check online reviews from patients on platforms such as Facebook or Google.
The Dentist’s Experience and Qualifications
If you have a specific dental problem, finding a dentist qualified and experienced in treating that condition can help to establish trust with them.
First Impressions
Arrange to meet the dentist face to face to help you decide whether you’re comfortable with them. If you get a good first impression, you’re likely making the right choice.
New retainers at a new dentist
You may need replacement retainers from your new dentist if you’re changing dentists after orthodontic treatment. If you have removable retainers, the dentist will take a digital scan or physical impression of your teeth so a new set of retainers can be made for a precise fit. With permanent retainers, the dentist can repair or replace them if they’ve become dislodged or loose.
You can also change your dentist if you’re still wearing braces or you want a type of orthodontic treatment your current dentist doesn’t provide, like self-ligating braces.
Braces at a new dentist
You may want to find a dentist who offers orthodontic treatment with the advantages of self-ligating braces. Compared with conventional braces, self-ligating braces are more discreet and more comfortable because they bypass the need for elastic ligatures. The arch wire that repositions your teeth is connected to brackets containing a built-in sliding-door system to secure the wire.
Self-ligating braces produce less friction than traditional braces and distribute pressure more uniformly across your teeth. They’re also easier to clean, and may straighten teeth faster in some cases. Self-ligating braces can treat many types of orthodontic problems, including bite issues and gapped or crowded teeth.
Why choose NoFrills Dental?
NoFrills Dental welcomes transfer patients, with a seamless, streamlined transition from your old dentist, even if you’re in the midst of ongoing treatment.
We provide comprehensive dental services including:
- General dentistry such as check-ups and teeth cleaning, fillings, extractions, and gum disease treatment.
- Restorative dentistry such as crowns, bridges and dentures.
- Cosmetic dentistry including dental veneers and teeth whitening, and braces or clear plastic aligners to straighten teeth.
We provide orthodontic treatment for both adults and kids, with a choice of conventional braces or self-ligating braces or clear plastic aligners like Invisalign.
In line with our mission to provide affordable, accessible dental care for everybody, we have established a solid reputation for reliability and competitive pricing.
We operate two dental clinics, conveniently situated at Marina Square and Suntec City.
Contact us to schedule your initial consultation and find out more about the benefits of our wide-ranging dental services.
FAQs about switching dentists
When should I switch dentists?
You may want to change your dentist in circumstances such as:
- You’ve relocated, making it inconvenient to get to your current clinic.
- You’ve found a job overseas.
- You’re studying abroad.
- You’re can’t leave the country due to pandemic restrictions.
- You want a treatment not available at your current clinic.
- You want a second opinion on your oral health condition and/or treatment plan
- Your current treatment results aren’t matching your expectations
Is it hard to switch dentists?
No. Switching dentists is simple if you follow our guidelines.
Can I change dentist midway through braces or Invisalign treatment?
Yes. But make sure the new dentist is comfortable with taking over your treatment.
Do I have to tell my current dentist I'm changing clinics?
It’s advisable to notify your current dentist that you’re changing clinics – it facilitates the process of getting your dental records.
Can I transfer my treatment across countries?
Transferring treatment across countries is common, particularly with expats who travel around the world for work.
What documents do I need for a dental clinic transfer?
Key documents you’ll need for moving to a new dental clinic are:
- Consent forms.
- Teeth scans or X-rays.
- Diagnostic records.
- Completed treatments.
- Planned treatments.
- Instructions for oral care at home
Why do I need to transfer my dental records?
Transferring your dental records ensures your new dentist gets a complete picture of your oral health.
How can I get my dental records?
Simply ask your dentist for a copy of your dental records. You may have to pay a fee.
What should I do if I can’t get my dental records?
If you’re unable to get a copy of your dental records, your new dentist will tell you whether new records and scans are required during the first consultation.
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Looking to get started on your brand new & improved smile? Speak to our dentists today!
Our team of experienced dentists are fully dedicated to providing patients with high-quality and affordable dental care. Our dentists are well-versed in the cosmetic dentistry, and highly adept in producing highly aesthetic and long lasting results for all of our patients.
Schedule an appointment
We’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
Our Dental Clinics
We are conveniently located at these locations:
NoFrills Dental @ Suntec City
3 Temasek Boulevard
Suntec City (North Wing)
#03-317
Singapore 038983
NoFrills Dental @ Marina Square
6 Raffles Boulevard,
Marina Square,
#B1-11
Singapore 039594
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