Are you currently looking for a dentist in your area but need help deciding on an option that best suits your needs? Choosing a new dentist can be a challenge.
Whether you’re switching from a provider you weren’t satisfied with, you’ve relocated to a new city, or you’re looking for a dentist that accepts your insurance plan, there’s a lot to consider.
Instead of doing an unguided search online, the helpful tips in this article will provide you with the path forward.
According to R+R Dental, professional dentists care about their patients and are committed to creating a welcoming and comfortable environment. When you enter a dental office, you should be treated with respect and compassion with the expectation that your dentist will understand your dental needs.
In this article, you will find eight helpful tips that will make choosing a dentist much easier so you can finally smile again with confidence and let go of your fear of ending up with a sub-par dentist.
Look at the Dental Services Offered
Aside from the general maintenance and oral examination offered, ensure that your dentist has the services you are looking for.
As a first step, visit their dental website and look for the section or tab where they display their dental services. They can range from cosmetic dentistry to pediatric dental services to diagnostic and preventative dental services, including oral surgery.
Consider Location and Convenience
Before deciding on a dentist, make sure their dental office is a reasonable commute away from your home or workplace.
This way, when you schedule an appointment, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you will arrive on time. In addition, since dentists see multiple patients throughout the day, check to see if they have an online booking system where you can reserve your appointment instead of having to call.
Conduct Some Research
- Seek out recommendations
If you are stuck and can’t find a dentist, ask friends, family, or co-workers if they know a good dentist in town. Other options include asking your current healthcare provider or seeking information from online forums or dental groups. However, your current dentist can also offer recommendations if you need a dental specialist for a particular procedure.
- Search online
With a wealth of information at your fingertips, you can look at numerous local options by searching on Google. You can see the locations, photos, services, and reviews of many dentists in your area. But the question is – which one to choose? Your final decision will ultimately rely on a combination of services offered, patient reviews, dental insurance accepted, and location convenience.
Read Patient Reviews on Google
Online reviews are a great indicator of how good a service or a product is from a consumer’s point of view.
By reading what other people say about a dentist, you will gain insight into how that dentist treats patients and their quality of service. Reviews of previous patients often reflect people’s experiences with scheduling appointments, waiting times, office environment, and the customer service of the dental staff.
Look Up Your Dentist’s Credentials and Experience
If you are seriously looking for a dentist you plan to stay with for a long time, it’s recommended to research the dentist’s medical training, certifications, and background before making a decision. Look up your dentist’s education and experience, including if they are currently engaged in dental training.
In addition, check if your dentist is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA) since all members in this organization are held to high standards of ethical care. A dentist’s board certification should be considered because it’s a great indicator that the dentist has the education, practical experience, and license required to operate their dental practice.
Verify that the dentist has never been the subject of a malpractice claim or disciplinary action. On Healthgrades.com and state websites, you can find information about the dentist’s medical school, training facility, certifications, history of malpractice, and disciplinary actions.
Understand Your Dental Insurance Coverage and Costs
Study your dental insurance policy to understand what it includes and excludes, as well as the dentists in your network.
You may reduce out-of-pocket dental care expenses by staying within your insurance plan’s network. You must select a dentist who accepts your dental plan to make the most of your dental insurance benefits and pay the least out of pocket for your care.
Check if Emergency Dental Services are Offered
When dental emergencies occur, they are unexpected. They can present themselves in various ways, such as a broken or fractured tooth from physical trauma, bleeding gums, a tooth abscess (a result of an infection), or a severe toothache that won’t go away and prevents you from eating normally.
Even though good preventive care can prevent some problems, dental emergencies can still happen. If you have a dental emergency, you must act quickly, so the problem doesn’t worsen.
Here are some questions to think about:
Check the Dental Office’s Schedule
- Are they available on weekends?
- Do they have a 24/7 helpline you can call?
- Can you walk in the same day of your dental emergency?
- Is the dentist available for virtual consultations?
You Have a Dental Emergency If…
- You have a severe toothache
- One or more of your teeth has fallen out of place
- You’ve sustained trauma to your teeth (broken or fractured)
- You have a tooth abcess (infection) or bleeding gums
Visit the Dental Office in Person
If you need to visit a dental office before officially making a final decision, this is one way to get the information you need.
You can call to schedule a consultation with the dentist to learn how they treat new patients and learn about their services before getting anything done.
If you decide to visit a dentist’s office, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do they have an office that is clean and organized?
- Is their waiting room welcoming and comfortable?
- Does their dental equipment look modern or old?
- Are the dental staff friendly and answer my questions in a kind manner?
- Do the dentists and staff wear gloves and medical gear?
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Chibueze Uchegbu is a certified medical physiologist with a great passion for healthy living.