Searching for a new dentist can be a little daunting, especially if you just moved to a new city where maybe you don’t know many people! Friends and family are always the best bet when it comes to healthcare advice, learning from the experiences of others is always beneficial.
The internet makes finding a new dentist much easier than in years past but there can still be a lot of information to sift through. Let’s go over some tips to help you find the best dentist in your area!
The website for the American Dental Association is a great tool to locate a list of board-certified dentists in your area. You may also consider asking for a recommendation from your previous dentist, even if you are not in the same geographical area anymore. Dentists know a lot of other dentists from school and conferences so it is worth a shot to see if your previous dentist knows of anyone in your new town. Even if they do not, they may know someone who will have a great recommendation!
If you have dental insurance, your insurance company will have a list of in-network dental providers on their website. This can be a great way to weed through some of the names you find. If you do not care about an in-network provider, you will still be able to find a list of dental providers that accept your dental plan.
Begin Your Search For A General Dentist
Once you have a few options, there are a few things to take into account. Firstly, are they accepting new patients? It is also important to make sure that you select a dental practice that is age-appropriate, you do not want to see a pediatric dentist or a geriatric dentist if you are in your 30s! On the other hand, if you have children or older parents living with you, you might want to look into a family dentist which treats patients of all ages. That way, your whole family can go to the same dental office!
Location, location, location! Is the location of the office easily accessible to your home or office? Is there parking? If you rely on public transportation, can you get to their office easily?
Narrow Your List
Another important consideration is their office hours. Do they have weekend hours? What about emergency time? Will you need to have your teeth cleaned during your lunch hour or can you go early in the morning before work or later in the evening after work?
Once you have narrowed your list down to a few names, call each office and see if they offer a consultation so that you have the opportunity to meet your potential new dentist and tour their office. It is important that everyone from the front desk to the clinicians make you feel comfortable and welcome! After you make your selection, go ahead and schedule an appointment to establish care so you can begin to receive excellent dental care!
