Your family has just moved to a new town—there are plenty of things to think about, but have you worked out which dentist you’ll visit?
Regular dental care helps prevent cavities and keeps our mouths, gums, and teeth healthy, so it’s not something that should be delayed. However, if you’re new to a town, it can be hard to work out which dentist office will be best for your needs.
To make things easier, keep reading to find seven key tips to consider when selecting a dentist, which are sure to help you find your ideal dentist sooner rather than later!
1. Check If the Dentist Accepts Your Insurance
Budget is always going to be a major consideration when choosing a dentist. You’ll want to give the dental office a call before making an appointment to check if they accept your insurance.
If they do, are there any special restrictions to be aware of? You’ll also want to ask about the co-pay, so you know how much you’ll have to pay on arrival.
Don’t have dental insurance? If so, you should still make an effort to go to the dentist, so find out what they charge for uninsured patients.
Expect to pay around $200 for a cleaning and dental exam without insurance. However, if that’s out of your budget, you can often find free or low-cost dental clinics, but they may have long wait times.
2. Read Reviews Online
Finding the right dental office is a lot easier if you read reviews online first. One of the best ways to find a reputable dentist is by seeing what past patients had to say.
Look on unbiased review platforms like Yelp and try to find reviews that speak to a dentist’s professionalism, reliability, and gentle care and attention. This can help you work out which dentist in the area is best for your needs.
Asking friends or colleagues is a good idea as well, as we always tend to trust recommendations from people we know personally.
3. Check Wait Times
A popular dentist might get booked out weeks in advance, so check on wait times before making an appointment. If you’re in need of a dental check-up, you probably don’t want to leave it too long.
Plus, what happens in an emergency—will you need to wait to be seen? Also, check what the dentist’s policy is on emergency appointments for problems like a cracked tooth or jaw pain.
Ideally, you want a clinic that can see you on the same day, so you have peace of mind that you’ll be looked after in an emergency.
4. Look for a Family-Friendly Dentist Office
If you have little ones, or plan to in the future, then you’re sure to need a dentist that works well with kids. You can either find a pediatric dentist or a general dentist that’s family-friendly.
Kids have special concerns when it comes to their teeth. For example, what happens when baby teeth don’t fall out? When should kids be referred to an orthodontist?
Make sure your new dentist can answer these questions, while also providing a gentle, kid-friendly dental experience
5. Look for a Convenient Location
Location is another big consideration when looking for a dentist. You’re likely to visit at least a few times per year, so you don’t want to have to drive too far each time.
Convenience doesn’t just mean close to your home! A dentist that’s near your office, gym, or children’s school can also be ideal, since you’re visiting these places each day already.
6. Find a Dentist That Only Uses Modern Equipment
Dental technology is pretty impressive these days—it has changed massively in the past decade.
New dental tools and machinery make for a faster, more effective dental cleaning, but also more comfortable. Check to see if your potential dentist is using state-of-the-art tools.
If they’re using older machinery, the dental process probably isn’t going to be as comfortable for you. It can also be a red flag, as it means the dentist isn’t investing in the business with new technology—perhaps a sign that other areas of the business are also being neglected.
7. Trust Your Instinct
In addition to all of the above, sometimes the best thing to do is trust your instinct. You alone know what’s right for you and your family, so if a dentist doesn’t seem right, don’t be afraid to go elsewhere.
If you need to have a lot of dental work done, but you’re not sure about the dentist you’ve seen, remember that it’s always ok to get a second opinion.
A visit to the dentist can be a stressful experience for some, so look for a clinic that makes you feel welcome, safe, and cared for as soon as you walk inside. As you get to know your dentist over the years, the experience will become much more comfortable.
Choosing a Dentist Is Easy With These Tips
If you and your family are looking for a new dentist office, the tips above are sure to help. Preventative dental care is essential to our overall health, so you want to go for dental check-ups around every six months.
Get started today by researching dentists in your local area and giving them a call with any questions. It might take some time, but you’re sure to find a trusted dental clinic that can look after your family for years to come.
If this article was helpful, please keep reading to find more informative blog posts.
I love your statement that checking out what the past clients of dentists’ have to say about their services is one of the best ways to find a reputable one. My sister and her husband are hoping to find a new general dentist this year to start seeing. I will have them check the reviews online about potential dentists to help them determine the best one. fourcornersdentalgroup.com/restorative-dentistry