Ask for referrals
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Before calling Local Dentists, ask friends, family, and other health specialists in your area for recommendations. Remember that a great dentist isn’t just “nice.” Ask others about what kind of procedures they have had done, long-term results, communication with the office, and comfort while in the office. After you have a list of potential dentists, call the offices and ask a few questions before making an appointment.
Check Credentials
A dentist must be board certified. This ensures that the dentist has proper training and experience to take care of routine dental cleanings, as well as more complicated procedures. Also, check information such as schooling, training hospital, certifications, and malpractice claims in the past.
Ask About Experience
The more experience a dentist has, the better. Find out how long the dentists has been practicing, what specialized training they may have taken, and if they have any specializations, such as orthodontics or endodontics. Many patients suffer from anxiety when going to the dentists. If this is the case, check to see what types of approaches can be used for patients with anxiety. If there is a particular procedure that you know will need to be done in the future, ask the dentist how many of these procedures they have performed in the past and how successful the procedures were.
Consider Technology
A dentists needs to use up-to-date technology. Most dental offices now have intraoral cameras and digital x-rays, which allow the dentists to view and show patients the condition of their mouths. The offices should be clean, tidy, and run efficiently. The office should be computerized and not still using paper charts.
It is always nice to have telehealth options, but during the current pandemic, it is even more important. Ask if the dentist can provide simple follow-up appointments with a telehealth appointment. These virtual appointments can free up time and allow appointments even if the patient is sick at home.
Communication Style
Choose a dentists that will listen and ease any concerns. Sometimes, patients have special needs and require a dentist to make some adaptations or modifications in routine care procedures. Other times, patients may have special health concerns, such as omitting fluoride from a routine visit or not wanting to have silver fillings in their mouth. A good dentist will be happy to work with patients to create a dental plan that is effective and makes them feel comfortable.
Insurance Coverage
Be sure to do homework ahead of time to ensure that a dentists is on the list of providers from your insurance carrier. Dental services can be quite expensive, and patients don’t want to end up with an unexpected large bill if the dentists turns out to be out of the insurance network.
Finding a new dentists can be a difficult and unwelcome task, but dental health is very important. Take some time to ask the right questions and find the perfect local dentist for the whole family.
