How to Choose a Dentist

Finding a good dentist is not easy. It may seem strange, seeing how many dental office ads you see on the internet each day. But it is all about making the right choice. The considerations in making the selection are many, starting from proximity to your home or office and up to the payment options they offer.

The key issue, however, is trust. You need to choose a dentist you are comfortable with, in whom you have full confidence. And this is not easy under the best conditions, but especially when you have a tooth or gum problem and need a quick solution to it.

Do Your Research Properly

Going to the first dental office down the street is the expedient solution only in case of emergency. However, the best practice is to have a go-to dentist for regular care and not wait until you have a serious mouth health scare.

Fortunately, right now it is easier than ever to do your research and choose a dentist office near me before you have an emergency. The internet and the social media are your best allies in this sense.

dentist officce near me

Your First Concern: How You Pay for Dental Treatments?

Before anything else, you should consider getting dental coverage on your health insurance. This is important for two reasons:

  • A good plan will cover a sizable proportion of the treatment costs;
  • Selecting a dentist depends on whether they accept your insurance.

These being said, here are some helpful ways to choose a dentist:

  1. Ask Your Family and Friends

First of all, everyone asks around among friends, coworkers, family members and neighbors. Those are the people you trust the most. Thus, their recommendation is more valuable than all the ads you see online.

With the help of social media platform like Facebook or Twitter you can reach even the busiest friends and family members. Plus, some of their friends, that you don’t share, may come up with good recommendations.

  1. Check the Dentist’s Website

A professional dental office website contains a lot of useful information to help you decide. The basic details you should be able to find are:

  • Services
  • Pricing list
  • Special treatments or procedures
  • Testimonials from patients
  • The dentist’s certification.
  1. Check for the Dentist’s Specialty

There are seven types of dentists:

  • General dentists
  • Pediatric dentists
  • Orthodontists
  • Periodontists
  • Endodontists
  • Oral surgeons
  • Prosthodontists.

For basic dental care, you can choose a general dentist. They will usually recommend a specialist from the list according to the problems they identify during treatments.

  1. Have an Initial Discussion

The first face to face discussion with the dentist is crucial. A good dentist understands a patient’s worries and has a professional but calming manner. They will explain the treatment course in simple terms that you can understand.

  1. Discuss Payment Options

If you really have a good impression of the dentist but they don’t take your insurance, you should discuss whether they have other payment arrangements. Many dental offices have their own plans for long term patients and families.