Finding the right dentist for you and your family may seem like a daunting task. With all the promises made in TV ads and websites, how can you possibly choose one above the rest? Fortunately, there are some ways to see through all the hype and locate a qualified, experienced dental professional who can provide you and your family with high quality dental services.
The American Dental Association recommends that you ask your family and friends who their dentist is, along with asking your GP and/or local pharmacist. They also recommend contacting your local or state dental society, which you can find listed on the ADA website at www.mouthhealthy.org. But in addition to asking for referrals, there are other things to look for in a good dentist.
- If you have dental insurance, make sure the dentist you choose accepts your coverage. And if you don’t have insurance, ask whether or not the dentist has payment plans in place for their patients. This can be especially important if you have children who may need dental services that can be pricey, such as braces and crowns, for example.
- Make sure the dentist is located in an area that is relatively close to where you live, and that they have office hours that will work with your schedule. You may also want to ask whether or not the practice provides emergency dental services.
- Be sure the dentist is an ADA (American Dental Association) member, which means that they abide by that organization’s ethics guidelines. If they aren’t an ADA member, they should at the very least be members of a state dental organization.
- Make sure the practice offers the full range of services that you anticipate you and your family will need. Not all dental practices offer orthodontic services such as braces, for example. Some dentists may treat conditions such as TMJ or sleep disorders, while others do not. Ask what type of dental sedation the practice offers to its patients, since that may play a role in whether or not the dentist is right for you.
Finding the right dentist for you and your family isn’t nearly as challenging as it may seem at first. Just ask for recommendations, then use this handy list to make sure that the dentist is experienced and offers the services you anticipate needing in the future. Changing dentists can be a hassle, so make sure that you take the time to find a dental professional that you believe can provide you and your family with high quality care for many years to come.
