Not all relationships last forever, from the professional to the personal. If it’s a formal relationship such as medical or dental, that can be quite the switch as both are necessary services. If you find that your current dentist and you aren’t on the same page when it comes to your oral health or you’ve found a better rapport with another dentist, how do you switch a dentist?

It’s not as difficult as you would think, perhaps the reason it is an intimidating situation is that it’s a personal service. Like switching hair stylists or doctors. This shouldn’t stop you though, as at the end of the day you need to feel comfortable with the health services you’re receiving. Also, if you’re not seeing the results from a dentist’s care then you need to do right by your teeth and gums.

There can be a myriad of reasons to change your dentist and yes, it is okay to switch dentists. Again, for some reason, it seems rude to. But, rest assured that it isn’t. Let’s go over a few ways on how to switch dentists, how to get dental records transferred, and how to break up with your dentist.

Sign a Release Form

Let’s assume you’ve found another dentist that you think is a better match than your current one. The first thing you need to do after vetting the new dentist, meaning with references and consultations, is to sign a release form to get your health information from your previous dentist.

If you’re worried that you need to talk with your current or old dentist to do this, fret not! It only involves your new dentist and is just a legal process as dental records, as all medical records are privileged. You’re just giving the new dentist permission to get dental records transferred. Also, signing the release form is how to get dental records transferred securely and help with issues like lost records. Your medical history is important, best not to start from scratch.

Talk with Your New Dentist

Once your dental records are on the way you’ll need to let your new dentist office know they’re coming. This is one of those keys on how to switch a dentist, communication. Yeah, it’s a two-way street. This is even more important when switching dentists mid-treatment. If you’re in the middle of a longer dental care plan, like braces, the closer you get to your next appointment the better.

Speaking of switching dentists mid-treatment, they can’t see you until you agree to start from scratch or they have your medical records. Now, this isn’t always true in Milton Freewater or Walla Walla, but best to operate on that principle. If mid-treatment for any kind of dental work or oral health, you want to give the dentist the opportunity to familiarize themselves with where you are during the treatment. Dentists aren’t psychics and expecting them to have all the answers before reviewing your dental history or you being in their chair for an exam is not a good way to go about switching dentists.

Break-up with Your Old Dentist

This is often thought to be the hard part and can be in smaller cities like Milton Freewater or Walla Walla, but it’s like pulling off the band-aid. If you know you’ll have to see your old dentist around town, it’s best to do him or her the courtesy of telling them why you’re switching dentists in the middle of a procedure or in general. It may help them be a better dentist if you don’t feel their bedside manner was comforting or that you don’t feel comfortable with their staff and hygienists.

There is no right way or objective how to break up with a dentist, it just needs to be done. Be honest and forthright without being unnecessarily cruel or hurtful. If you cannot bring yourself to break up with your dentist, they’ll know as soon as a dental records transfer is called for. That is one way to forgo the conversation entirely if you choose to and know you won’t encounter an awkward moment in Milton Freewater or Walla Walla.

Is it Okay to Switch Dentists, Yes!

Some may feel an extra sense of guilt for changing their dentist a few times. Don’t feel bad if you’ve changed your dentist frequently. How often can you change your dentist is a question that is tempting but doesn’t apply. This is about your health and finding the right dentist to make you a more healthy person can take you to down a few reasons to change dentists. Yes, it is okay to switch dentists and regarding how often can you change your dentist, as many times as you want.

It is okay to switch dentists and there are plenty of reasons to change dentists, none of which are wrong. It isn’t so much of a process as it is just taking two or three steps. The questions surrounding how to switch a dentist is usually because no one considers being unhappy with their current care. Rest assured, you can be. You can be unhappy and end up switching dentists mid-treatment and yes, you can switch dentists in the middle of a procedure. You can do whatever you’d like with your health.

If you are thinking of switching dentist in Milton Freewater, Walla Walla or the surrounding areas our staff can help you with the processes. Find the right care for you, be healthy and happy.