What is A Good Way to Find a Dentist When New in Town?
Whether you’re moving, currently don’t have a dentist, or are looking to find a new one, the process can seem challenging. No matter the situation, there are many ways to decide which dentist fits you.
How do I Know Which Dentist is the Right Fit?
Asking your friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors is a great place to start. Most people around you have lived in the area for years, and they have probably had the same dentist most of that time. Pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals might have suggestions too. Most members of the medical field know each other, and your physician might even be able to refer you to a dentist. If all else fails, ask your current dentist before you move. They can refer you to a specialist, oral surgeon, or orthodontist.
The Basics
Now that you’ve gotten recommendations, establishing a relationship with your new potential oral health professional is essential. There are many things you can ask your new dentist, but here are a few of those questions:
- Does your current dental plan cover this dentist?
- Are they in your plan’s network of dentists?
- Is their schedule flexible?
- Is their office close to work, home, and other vital locations?
- What is their preventative dentistry policy?
- What is their policy on after-hours emergencies?
- What is your expected copay?
- How do they handle missed appointments?
- If they do have a missed appointment policy, what is it?
What are their credentials?
It’s a good idea to conduct independent research when finding a new dentist. You can look into their education, experience, and training. Some dentists continue training long after establishing their practice, so look for that when researching.
Check to see if the American Dental Association accredits the new dentist. The ADA expects high standards of ethics and care from their dentists, and you know they’ll be able to take care of you. Even if the ADA accredits a dentist, you’ll want to review a new practice to ensure no malpractice claims against them.
What About Copays and Other Costs?
Review your dental plan, too. This will alert you to your copay when you start visiting a dentist. Keeping within the limits of your plan will minimize what you are responsible for out of pocket. Another way to ensure your new dentist is within your budget is to research their prices and policies. When researching this, ask about their exam prices, cleanings, and cavity maintenance.
Looking Into Reviews
Numerous practices have reviews left by patients online. Look for a trustworthy review platform and search for dentists with high ratings in your area, but pay attention to the low ratings. Please take a closer look at them to understand the complaint.
Consulting with your peers online is another essential step. Numerous websites have reviews left by current and past patients. It’s important to look into dentists with high reviews, but it’s equally essential to pay attention to lower reviews. These lower ratings might be serious, and it never hurts to ensure that they aren’t.
Office Visits
Many dentists offer free consultations, so you can ask them as many questions as possible. You can ask about their prices, services, and hours during this consultation. Inquire about office tours and get a look at their equipment and staff. You want to ensure that their equipment is updated and well-maintained and that their staff is courteous and thorough. While the other steps are essential, this might be the most vital when selecting a new dentist.