Dental Practice Palm Desert, CA
A dental practice can help take care of all your dental healthcare needs. There are various types of dental practices, from dental offices to dental centers. It can be challenging to figure out what type of practice is right for you. If you are looking for a new dental practice, it is important to weigh the pros and cons and prioritize your needs.
Total Care Dentistry & Implants is a dental center in Palm Desert and the surrounding area. We can help you with a wide range of general dentistry services. Call us today at (760) 394-3088 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
What Is a Dental Practice
There are several different types of dental practices, from small standalone dental offices to dental centers with multiple locations and anything in between. A dental office is a type of dental practice where one dentist offers their services. They may provide general dentistry or specialist services. It is typically best suited for patients who want a more personalized level of service and who feel most comfortable with one dentist at a time.
In contrast, a dental center hires multiple dental providers across several specialties, all under one roof. Dental centers typically appeal to patients looking for a potentially more convenient option. Since dental centers are staffed with several dentists, it is easy to coordinate care between specialists as necessary – potentially saving patients time and energy they may spend going from dentist to dentist.
“There are several different types of dental practices, from small standalone dental offices to dental centers with multiple locations and anything in between.”
Multi-Provider Dental Practices
In the past, most dental practices were staffed with only a single dentist and their team, such as their dental hygienist, dental assistant, among others. In recent years, however, many dental practices have taken on multiple dental providers across different specialties. This often allows for a more streamlined patient experience, saving time, energy, and sometimes even money that the patient may have spent going from office to office.
They also frequently make it easier for families to receive the care they need by way of having multiple specialists at the same practice. For example, a small child may be treated by a pediatrician while their teenage sibling is simultaneously getting treated by an orthodontist. Multi-provider dental practices also allow for a continuity of care across one's lifetime.
“Multi-provider dental practices also allow for a continuity of care across one’s lifetime.”
Choosing the Right Dental Practice for You
Finding the right dentist can be an intimidating ordeal. Fortunately, if a patient knows what they are looking for, it does not have to be so hard. Before beginning their search, patients should assess their needs and what they are looking for. Do they just need someone for routine checkups and cleanings, or do they have special health considerations that only a specialist will be able to address? In any case, a general dentist can help point patients in the right direction.
Patient safety should always come first, so it is essential to find a practitioner that they are comfortable with. The American Dental Association (ADA) 's Find-a-Dentist® tool is a good place to start. The ideal dentist-patient relationship is one in which there is unhindered communication, and patients feel free to bring up any questions and concerns they may have about their treatment. Additionally, the office should be clean, neat, and orderly.
“Patient safety should always come first, so it is essential for patients to find a practitioner that they are comfortable with.”
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Dental Services to Look For
Most people will require several different dental services throughout their lifetime. Examples of various dental services include emergency dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontic services, routine care and checkups, and more. Emergency dentistry can address accidents such as bitten tongue or lip, broken jaw, cracked teeth, knocked-out teeth, and objects stuck in the mouth.
Cosmetic dentistry has to do with the aesthetic concerns of the smile. Such services may include dental bonding, bridges, crowns, implants, veneers, inlays and onlays, and teeth whitening. Finally, everyone requires routine checkups and cleanings at least once or twice a year. Once patients have determined which of these dental services they need, they can narrow down their search by what each dentist offers.
“Most people will require several different dental services throughout their lifetime.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What are some of the benefits of a multi-provider dental practice?
Q. What should I look for in choosing the right dental practice?
Q. What dental services should I look for?
Q. How can I integrate the internet into my search for a dental practice?
People Also Ask
Q. What dental treatments are possible in a smile makeover?
Q. Who are the right candidates for teeth replacement?
Q. What are the types of cosmetic treatments?
Using the Internet in Your Search
In this day and age, it is easier than ever to integrate the internet into one's search for the right dentist. Review sites like Google Business, Healthgrades, OpenCare, Yelp, and Zocdoc are particularly invaluable. However, it is important to know how to use these websites properly – especially since it is not uncommon for false reviews to run amok or negative reviews to be hidden.
At the same time, even authentic reviews may tend to skew more towards the negative than the positive – the reason being that people are more likely to write about negative experiences than positive (or even neutral) ones. As such, to get the best, most complete idea of a dental practice, it is a good idea to sort reviews by most recent and look at a variety of different review sites.
“In this day and age, it is easier than ever to integrate the internet into one’s search for the right dentist.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why do I need to make regular dental visits?
A. Regular dental visits are a necessary part of preventative dentistry in that they allow dentists to identify dental healthcare problems before they have the chance to worsen or occur.
Q. How can I tell when I am in a bad dental practice?
A. Bad dental offices tend to be generally unkempt in appearance and staffed by rude, impatient team members. They offer only a limited number of treatment options, and they are not receptive to questions. You should always feel safe and comfortable in a dentist's office – anything else should be taken as a warning sign.
Q. What are some questions I should ask a prospective dentist?
A. Your oral health is something to take seriously. As such, you should always feel welcome to address any questions and concerns with a prospective dentist. Be sure to ask each dentist where they were educated and trained, their approach to preventative dentistry, whether they offer any types of anesthesia, and any other questions that spring to mind.
Q. Can a dental practice take care of everyone in my family?
A. It depends on a case-by-case basis. While many general dentists can provide care for patients of all ages, some practices have age policies. Call us at (760) 394-3088 to see what we can do for you.
Q. Will I always see the same dentist?
A. If you choose to visit a single-provider dental office, yes, you will always see the same dentist. However, it may be more difficult to get appointments when you need them, as frequently as you need. If you choose to visit a multi-provider dental center, it may be easier for you to get more convenient appointments, but you may see several providers. You have to decide what is most important for you.
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Dental Terminology
Call Us Today
Dental practices come in all shapes and sizes. Before choosing a new practice, consider your preferences and priorities. Some patients may prefer a solo practice. Other patients may gravitate toward a large dental clinic. Before making your choice, confirm that the dental team has the right qualifications. Check to make sure that your new practice offers the services you need.
If you are seeking a new dental practice, let Total Care Dentistry & Implants in Palm Desert deliver the care you need. Call us at 760-394-3088 to learn more about our services and policies.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2025
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2025
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2025
About our business, license, and website security
- Total Care Dentistry & Implants was established in 1976.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Riverside County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Cathedral City, Indio, Palm Springs, San Jacinto, Desert Hot Springs, and Twentynine Palms
- CA (License #34506). View License Information and Specifics
- Healthgrades. View Background Information and Reviews
- Norton Safe Web. View Details
- Trend Micro Site Safety Center. View Details
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