When you move into a new town, you need to change your address, turn on your utilities, and find a dentist that you can be comfortable with. That last one can be a little difficult if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
The last thing you want is to make an appointment only to realize that the dentist doesn’t take your insurance. You also need to find someone that you’re comfortable with. This is especially true if you have a bad case of dental fear. It's important to go to the dentist for examinations and cleanings on a regular basis. People who take good care of their teeth consistently and adequately tend to avoid a wide range of dental illnesses and diseases. Those that act in the opposite manner are virtually always troubled by teeth issues. If your child has dental issues, you can get in touch with an emergency pediatric dentist right away.We can help you find the best dentist for you. Check out this guide to learn more.
Ask Family and Friends
The first step of finding a good local dentist is to ask your friends and family in the area. This should give you a few names to work with.
Pop them into Google to look up reviews. Many people don't post positive reviews, but there should be at least some for you to look at.
If the dentists also have websites, you'll want to visit those. Here you'll be able to read testimonials from actual patients. That should get you a mixture of good and bad comments to read.
However, keep in mind that recommendations don’t guarantee excellent dental services. Patients may have varying preferences in a dentist, so consider recommendations only as one of the factors when choosing a dentist.
Convenience
Remember that convenience isn't always black and white. While it's nice to live close to your dentist, you should also consider your place of work.
Since you'll be picking your child up and taking them to the dental practice often, you might want to consider a family dentist that's located close to their school. The Bellissimo Dentistry In Chandler is our pick if you are in the area, they provide exceptional service for the whole family.
Another convenience of picking the same dentist for the entire family is saving time and gas money. You can have your regular dental checkups on the same day or get cosmetic dental treatment while your child or spouse gets a general teeth cleaning procedure.
You have a full-time job, so it will be hard for you to make an appointment during the week unless you take time off of work. If you find yourself in this situation, look for a dentist that's open later or has weekend hours.
Research Creditionals
Having a beautiful smile will fill you with confidence. Not to mention that crowding and other dental problems can lead to further health complications. You can't trust just anyone with something that important.
You need to make sure that the practitioners at the dentist office have the right credentials. By doing a little bit of research, you can find out where a professional went to school and if they have any certifications. You can also check to see if they have a history of medical malpractice.
Emergency Visits
You never know when an accident will occur. One second, you're biting into your favorite food, the next, you're spitting your tooth out in your hand.
When something like this happens, you can't wait until you can make an appointment to receive dental treatment. You need to be seen right away.
Not every office handles issues that happen outside of their usual hours. You'll have to make sure yours does, or else you'll have to see someone that you're not used to when big problems arise. This can be a bit nerve-racking, especially if you struggle with dental fear.
Therefore, consider dentist opening hours when looking for one. Dental accidents are unexpected, and you’ll never know when you need help. Since you’re far from being an expert, you won’t know the extent of your tooth damage. By visiting an emergency dentist, you get immediate treatment, increasing the chances of saving your tooth.
Also, delaying your dental appointment despite the urgency will only worsen your tooth’s condition and prolong your pain and discomfort. If your condition involves a tooth infection, having no emergency dentist on standby may cause the infection to spread to the root of your tooth or jawbone.
Telehealth
In some cases, dentists can see their patients through telehealth. If your family dentist offers this service, you'll be able to get diagnosed in the comfort of your own home in front of your computer.
Of course, this shouldn't replace going in for a traditional visit every six months. It's not like virtual teeth cleaning exists, but for the small stuff, it will do fine when you can't make it in for a physical appointment.
Find Out if They Take Your Insurance
Getting your teeth checked isn't cheap. You don't want to have to pay for it out of your own pocket. This is what will happen if you don't take your insurance into account when you're choosing a dentist.
Having insurance coverage for your dental care is even more critical when you need costly dental treatments and devices, such as root canal surgery, wisdom tooth extraction, and dental braces.
If you want to go with the telehealth option that we discussed above, you'll have to make sure that it's within your network as well. Not every company will cover it.
Communication
Before making an appointment with a dentist, don't be afraid to ask the practitioner a few questions over the phone. Pay attention to how they respond.
If they're attentive and answer you with honesty, you know that you've found a good dentist. If you have any specific needs, tell the practitioner. They should be willing to make accommodations for you.
Cleanliness and Organization
For your own safety, you need to visit the dental office at least once before you make your first appointment. Observe the staff to make sure that everyone is wearing gloves.
Ask them if they'll let you walk into one of the rooms and look around. Does everything look clean? How is the layout of the office? These are all things to consider.
Talk to the Staff
The office staff may not be working on your smile, but they will have a hand in your treatment. Do they welcome you when you walk in?
Does talking with them put you at ease? Are they great with your kids? Are they careful with all your confidential medical records?
If your answer to any of these questions is no, you might want to go with a different practitioner.
Go With Your Instincts
At the end of the day, if something feels off when you visit a dentist office, you don't have to make an appointment. You should always go with your gut.
It doesn't matter if one of your friends sings their praises. A practitioner that's right for one person isn't going to be right for another, and that's okay.
Choosing the Best Dentist for You
Are you trying to find the best dentist in your area? If you don't know what to look for, you may end up with a practitioner that doesn't have your best interests at heart.
That's the last thing you need when you're entrusting someone with something as important as your smile. If you're looking for additional dental tips, we've got you covered. Check out our blog to learn more.
