Advice on Finding a Good Dentist: What to Look For

When you're looking for a new dentist, you're searching for more than someone just to clean your teeth. You are looking for someone who will prioritize your best interest when it comes to your dental health. Unfortunately, finding someone like this isn't always easy. However, having a dentist you are familiar with and vice versa allows you to feel comfortable when you come in for a scheduled check-up and gives you a safe and trusted place to turn for a dental emergency.

How to Find a Good Dentist

Start with the Basics

The road to a healthy smile begins with regular dental visits, so start by considering details that align with your lifestyle and dental care requirements. Some factors you might want to consider include:

• Convenience: Is the dental office easily accessible from your home or workplace? Do they offer convenient office hours?
• Insurance Coverage: Check if the dentist is within your network if you have dental benefits.
• Communication Needs: Assess if translation or interpreter services are necessary for effective doctor-patient communication.
• Professional Affiliation: Determine if the dentist is a member of the ADA (American Dental Association) and explore the promises ADA dentists make to their patients.

Begin Your Search

As you begin your search for a dentist, you'll find many advertisements online, in newspapers, and possibly in your mailbox. Social media platforms may also feature patient reviews of dentists in your vicinity. Keep in mind that individual dental health needs and experiences vary.

Here are some reliable places to initiate your search:

• ADA's Find-A-Dentist Tool: Utilize this tool to search for dentists by name, location, and specialty.
• Local Dental Society: Contact your local dental society for a list of dentists in your area.
• Personal Recommendations: Get recommendations from trusted friends or relatives who have positive experiences with their dentists.

For those without dental benefits or facing financial constraints, assistance can be sought from the local health department or nearby dental schools.

After identifying potential dentist candidates, explore their websites and social media presence to gain insights into their practices and values.

Schedule a Meet and Greet

Don't hesitate to reach out to or visit the dentists on your list before making a decision. Experts recommend scheduling consultation time to meet with the dentist and staff, bringing along any relevant records for a more tailored discussion. During this visit, assess the office environment—is it welcoming, comfortable, and tidy?

• Consider asking the following questions:
• Preventive Care: Will the dentist guide on preventing dental health problems?
• Dental Emergencies: How are emergencies managed outside of regular office hours?
• Financial Considerations: Is the office staff knowledgeable about your benefit plan, and do       they offer financial options for treatment costs?
• Record Keeping: Will your medical and dental history be documented in a permanent file?

Frequently Asked Questions About Finding a Good Dentist

What About Emergency Dentistry?

Even individuals who take good care of their teeth and have excellent dental health may experience a dental emergency or find that other urgent dental care is necessary. Most dental offices provide some type of emergency dental care for common concerns, such as toothaches, broken teeth, cracked teeth, knocked-out teeth, missing fillings, lost crowns, gum concerns, and more.

It's important to seek dental care if you have heavy bleeding or excessive pain anywhere in your mouth. Dental problems such as these and others can interfere with your ability to chew, communicate, and live your life peacefully. Untreated pain, swelling, bleeding, and abscesses can cause additional health complications, including infections. Seeking emergency or urgent dental care when you need it is an essential part of maintaining good dental health.

When Should Children See a Dentist?

Starting children young with dental appointments helps foster their trust in dentistry and enthusiasm for dental hygiene from the state. Most dental industry experts agree that children between the ages of three and five should regularly see a dentist at least once or twice a year. These early appointments consist of basic dental exams to watch how baby teeth are growing. By age five, dental cleanings should be added to these visits as well.

Family and Implant Dentistry: Your Choice for Family Dentistry

At Family and Implant Dentistry, we would be honored to be considered for your dental needs. We are happy to answer any questions you might have and address your concerns. Contact us at 402-486-0825 or send us a message, and we will contact you as soon as possible.