How do i find a new dentist?
Why You May Need a New Dentist
Poor oral health can impact the rest of your body, so it’s important to find a dentist that is concerned about more than just your teeth. Therefore, one reason individuals search for new dentists is to receive improved overall care.
Superior customer service is also a contributing factor. Many people are afraid of dentists, but finding a clinic that offers an exceptional experience from the minute you arrive to the minute you leave helps you feel more comfortable and confident. Customer-centered clinics are highly sought after by new patients.
Perhaps you’re happy with your current dentist’s abilities and patient-focused mindset, but have another reason for leaving the clinic. You may require specialized treatments or are moving to a new location. In that case, it’s more practical to search for a new dentist.
Nobody necessarily wants to embark on the journey of finding a new dentist. But occasionally, it’s just what we have to do. Longtime dentists retire, jobs require us to move, and a variety of life’s situations sometimes make it necessary to seek out a new dentist. However, finding the right new dentist can be a difficult process. With so many practices in your neighborhood all offering similar services, how do you know which dentist to choose? Follow this handy guide below to help find the best dentist
Tips for Finding a Great Dentist
The simplest place to start in today’s digital age is our trusty friend, Google. Take advantage of Google so you can collect a list of prospective dentists in Edmonton or your local area. Search “dentist near me” to acquire instant results.
While Google may help you find dentists, it may not be able to confirm whether they’re great dentists. Ask your current clinic for a referral, or contact your local doctor or pharmacist to see if they can assist. You can also ask family, friends and colleagues for recommendations. We all have to visit a dentist at some point in our lives and receiving first-hand information from people you trust can benefit your search.
One of the most effective methods to finding a great dentist is to schedule meet-and-greets. Visiting prospective clinics will allow you to gauge whether the dental teams appear welcoming, professional and genuine. It takes a bit of effort, but the impressions you obtain are key to finding a new dentist.
Ask for Recommendations
When starting your search for the right dentist, begin by asking friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. Compile a list of options and hit the internet to do some research on your own. Look at each office’s website, see what services are offered, read up on the doctor and team, and don’t forget to check out their reviews either on their website or on online review platforms like Google. This will help you narrow your list to a few options.
Make Some Calls
Once you have your list of prospective dentists, pick up the phone and start calling them. During these conversations, be open to asking questions that will provide you some insight into the practice philosophy, treatments offered, and overall personality of the office. Some of the basic questions you can ask include:
“What is the dentist’s level of training?”
“What type of amenities does the practice offer to make treatment more comfortable?”
“What should I expect during my first visit?”
“How do you handle insurance and financials?”
Schedule an Appointment
After your initial call with each office, you should have a pretty good idea of which practice stands out to you the most and which may be a good fit. The next thing you should do is schedule a consultation or new patient appointment. There’s no better way to ensure you’ve found your new dental home than to get into the office and check it out. During your visit, note things like cleanliness, friendliness, time-sensitivity, and thoroughness. After this first visit, you should know whether that dentist and office is best for your needs, or that you need to keep looking.
Consider office location and hours
Most people looking for a dentist want one close to their home or work. They find it easier to schedule appointments before going to work, during lunch, or later in the day when they’re headed home. Look for dentists in your preferred area. Then check the office hours to make sure they fit your schedule.
Review cleaning and safety precautions
During the COVID-19 pandemic, dental offices are following guidelines to safely care for patients. Before scheduling a dental appointment, confirm the office’s cleaning procedures and safety protocols. Here are a few questions to ask when looking for a dentist:
- How often do they disinfect the waiting rooms, treatment areas and equipment?
- What type of protective gear do they wear? These items may include gloves, facial masks and shields, gowns, hair nets and shoe covers.
- Are patients screened before treatment? How about the staff?
Check patient feedback
As you’re looking for a dentist, read reviews of the dentists on your list. Make sure to read the comments posted by patients. Also ask your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, or doctor for feedback on choosing a dentist. Find out who they prefer.
Check the Insurance
One of the first things you should do when you’re considering a dentist is to ask which insurance plans they accept. Dental care can be expensive, especially if you’re having procedures like root canals or fillings done. You want to make sure your dentist accepts your family’s insurance before you schedule an appointment.
You can also go about this the other way around and call your insurance company. Ask them which dentists in your area are covered on their network and work off that list. While you have them on the phone, check on any copays you may be required to make for your care.
Look for Short Wait Times
No one likes sitting around in a waiting room for a long time before your dental appointment. You have things you need to be doing, and if going to the dentist takes four hours every six months, you’re less likely to go as often as you need to. If you have anxiety about the dentist, this waiting time can also make that worse.
Ask the dentist’s office what typical wait times are. You may also want to check reviews online to see if current patients say anything about the wait times. If you discover wait times are an hour or more, it’s a good idea to find another dentist.
Ask About the Service Options
Depending on your oral health, you may have to have a wide variety of procedures performed. You or your family members may need to have wisdom teeth removed, get crowns or implants put in, or get orthodontic work done. You don’t want to have to juggle a million different dentist’s offices and bills.
Instead, look for a dentist who offers a variety of services. Dentists may offer cosmetic services, family services, restorative services, and emergency dental care. If a dentist offers all of these options, they’re a good choice.
Most common mistakes that patients make when choosing a dentist in their local area.
PICKING A DENTIST WITHIN THEIR NETWORK
Picking a dentist within the patient’s network is the most sensible thing to do when choosing a dental professional, right? Wrong. Choosing a dentist that is outside of a patient’s networkis actually the best way to go.
Patients who choose out-of-network dentists often enjoy the full benefits of their dental insurance. It also helps to offset dental costs and lessen the amount being paid by the client directly to the dentist.
PUTTING TOO MUCH VALUE IN REVIEWS
Putting too much value in reviews is another important mistake that you should avoid because online reviews can be manipulated. However, you should not disregard reviews completely. It can be a helpful tool that will help you make the right decision in choosing the best dentist.
SO, WHAT SHOULD LOOK FOR IN ONLINE REVIEWS?
Try to find information about the billing,financing options and the quality of work of the dentist. Through reviews, you can find out if the dental care provider stands by their work. You would want a dentist who will stay with you until you reach optimum oral health.
If the dental practice is responding to the majority of their online reviews in a positive manner, regardless if the review is good or bad, that is a good sign that they care about their patients.
CHOOSING DENTAL PRACTICES WITH LIMITED SPECIALIZATION
Avoid choosing a dentist who does not do everything under one roof. You will want to have one dentist who will provide you complete dental care so that the quality of services will be consistent throughout all of your dental treatments.
LATEST DENTAL TECHNOLOGY
As with other medical fields, dental technology is constantly evolving and developing. Always opt for the best dental materials and the latest dental equipment.
Dentists who have state-of-the-art technology when it comes to dental services will always provide a superior quality of work compared to those who have outdated equipment.