Is It Okay to See a Newer Dentist or Should You Choose an Experienced One?
A Dentist's Honest Opinion After Treating More Than 10,000 Patients
If a family member asked me whether they should see a dentist with 2 years of experience or 20 years of experience, my answer would probably surprise them.
I would generally lean toward a dentist with at least a few years of experience.
But I would never choose a dentist based solely on years of experience.
And I certainly would not assume that a dentist with 20 years of experience is automatically better than a dentist with 5 years of experience.
Let me explain why.
As a dentist who has treated more than 10,000 patients over the years, I've seen exceptional dentists with only a few years of experience, and I've seen experienced dentists who stopped growing professionally years ago.
I've also seen patients make the mistake of focusing on the wrong things when choosing a dentist.
Some patients focus only on price.
Some focus only on reviews.
Some focus only on years of experience.
In reality, choosing a dentist is much more complicated than that.
At Credible Dental, our mission is simple:
Incredible Service. Credible Results.
In this guide, I want to share what I've learned after nearly a decade in dentistry and thousands of patient encounters.
By the end of this article, you'll understand what experience really means, when it matters, when it doesn't, and how I would personally choose a dentist for my own family.
Dentistry Is a Dexterous Skill
One of my personal philosophies is that dentistry is a dexterous skill.
Like every dexterous skill, it matures with practice.
Think about learning to play a musical instrument.
Think about learning to drive.
Think about learning to perform surgery.
You can learn the theory in a classroom, but true mastery only comes through repetition and experience.
Dentistry is no different.
When I first graduated from dental school, there were procedures I was not comfortable performing.
Wisdom tooth extractions are a great example.
Over time, I learned different surgical techniques.
I learned which instruments work best for different types of impactions.
I learned how to section teeth more efficiently.
I learned how to make patients more comfortable during the procedure.
But the most important thing I learned wasn't how to remove more wisdom teeth.
The most important thing I learned was which wisdom teeth I should not remove.
That may sound strange.
Most people assume experience means doing more procedures.
In reality, experience often teaches you what not to do.
It teaches you your limits.
It teaches you when a specialist can provide a better outcome.
It teaches you how to protect the patient.
And in my opinion, that is one of the most valuable lessons experience can provide.
What Experience Really Means in Dentistry
Most patients think experience simply means the number of years a dentist has been practicing.
But experience is much more than that.
Experience means:
- Seeing thousands of patients
- Diagnosing thousands of conditions
- Learning from complications
- Understanding treatment planning
- Understanding human behavior
- Recognizing patterns
- Knowing when to refer
- Knowing what to do when things don't go according to plan
After treating more than 10,000 patients, I've learned that diagnosis and treatment planning are often more important than the actual procedure.
Anyone can look at an X-ray.
The real skill is knowing how to connect what you see on an X-ray with what you're seeing clinically in the mouth.
This is where experience becomes incredibly valuable.
A cavity may look small on an X-ray.
But when you remove the decay, you may discover the damage extends much deeper than expected.
A patient may come in expecting a simple filling.
But once treatment begins, it becomes obvious that the tooth actually needs root canal therapy.
These situations happen more often than most patients realize.
An experienced dentist learns how to recognize warning signs before treatment begins.
They also learn how to manage these situations when they arise unexpectedly.
Experience Is Knowing What To Do When Things Go Wrong
Many people assume experienced dentists never encounter complications.
That's simply not true.
To err is human.
Complications can happen to both newer dentists and experienced dentists.
The difference is often how the complication is handled.
For example, during root canal treatment, it is possible for a small endodontic file to separate inside the canal.
This is a recognized complication in dentistry.
When it happens, an experienced dentist often knows:
- Why it happened
- How serious it is
- Whether it can be removed
- Whether the tooth can still be saved
- When to involve a specialist
Experience doesn't eliminate complications.
Experience helps you manage them.
That's why I often tell patients that experience is not just about the happy path.
It's about knowing how to get things back on track when the unexpected happens.
And in dentistry, unexpected situations happen every day.
Why I Wouldn't Automatically Choose The Dentist With 20 Years Of Experience
This may sound controversial coming from a dentist.
But I don't believe years of experience alone determine whether a dentist is good.
I've met younger dentists who are exceptional.
I've met experienced dentists who are exceptional.
I've also met dentists in both groups who I would not choose for my own family.
The reality is that years of experience tell you how long someone has been practicing.
They do not tell you how passionate they are.
They do not tell you whether they are continuing to learn.
They do not tell you whether they stay current with technology.
They do not tell you whether they genuinely care about patients.
Those things matter too.
In fact, I would argue they matter just as much as experience.
One thing I specifically want to point out is that patients often assume newer dentists automatically know modern technology and experienced dentists do not.
I don't think that's a fair assumption.
I've seen experienced dentists who are incredibly advanced technologically.
I've also seen younger dentists who never invest in learning new technologies.
The better question is not:
"How old is the dentist?"
The better question is:
"Is this dentist committed to learning and improving?"
That question will tell you much more than the number of years printed on a resume.
Ready to Find a Dentist You Can Trust?
At Credible Dental, we combine modern technology, continuous learning, and genuine patient care to deliver results you can trust.
Whether you're looking for preventive care, cosmetic dentistry, or need help with a specific concern, we'd love the opportunity to earn your trust.
Explore our services, learn more about our team, and schedule your appointment today.
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