Having a good dentist is a very important factor in general health. Beyond the actual services they provide, a crucial factor that must be kept in mind when selecting a dentist is the location of their office. Visiting a dentist close by makes life more convenient, and provides you peace of mind in case of an emergency.
If you already find yourself making excuses about not going to the dentist, then having one who is far away will only add to those excuses. You might end up missing your appointments or failing to schedule them altogether. Here are some benefits that make having a local dentist totally worth it:
Short Travel Time
None of us like to spend a lot of time driving to the dentist. In between work, life, and other commitments, it can really get tiresome. For example, you could have just been under general anesthesia, and are not in a state to drive yourself home or travel alone. A short travel time makes it easier to ask a friend or family member who lives nearby to pick you up and drive you home.
Establishing a Personal Relationship
If you visit a dentist regularly, you eventually move beyond discussing just health issues and medical histories. If your dentist is in the same city, you might find common ground in terms of culture, social gatherings, school life, and so on. Getting to know someone in the local community makes it more likely that you’re able to bond, and gives you an extra reason to visit the dentist.
Emergency Service
Being able to access emergency care is another great reason to choose a local dentist. If you happen to break your tooth or begin experiencing a toothache all of a sudden, it’s just a short drive to your dentist to get the problem fixed.
Affiliations with Local Hospitals
Local dentists mean affiliations with local hospitals. As much as you wish your dental issues never land you in the hospital, it’s impossible to predict such things. For instance, you could have an adverse reaction to anesthesia, and the only way to treat it would be by going to the local hospital. A local dentist is much more likely to give you strong recommendations for local medical care.