Checking Up On Your Dentist

While there is no perfect strategy in determining whether a dentist is a good fit for you, there are a few things you can do to check up on their credentials to help in the decision-making process. In this article, we will walk you through a few steps to help you obtain the quality dental care you deserve. 

Step 1 – Start out by talking to friends, family members and co-workers in hopes of obtaining recommendations. Word of mouth is a wonderful way to find quality services, and this instance is far from exception. You’ll likely find most people eager to share their experiences with you, while outlining what they like and dislike about the care they have received. Be sure to ask a variety of questions, and take notes on their responses. You’ll also want to take down any contact information that is offered. 

Step 2 – Get in touch with your insurance provider to find physicians who are covered under your plan. Here, you can check up on the candidates that have been recommended while keeping an eye open to new options whom you might not have been aware of. In general, dental care is not cheap, and thus, it is imperative that you find a physician who is covered under your current health care plan. 

Step 3 - Take a look through the various review and ratings sites available online. Many of these sites offer user submitted reviews and ratings to help prospective patients gain a better perspective of what they should expect from various oral health practitioners. Here, you can check up on your current list of candidates, while also keeping an eye out for other physicians in your area whom may have garnered solid reviews. 

Step 4 – Research your picks on the American Association of Dental Examiners website. This organization will offer information pertaining to physician education, experience and their state license status. 

Step 5 – Once you’ve gathered a good list of candidates, weed through them pick out your top three physicians. Give each of your picks a call and see if you can schedule a tour of the office. This will afford you the opportunity to gain a first-hand look at the facility and the dentist in question. Bring along a list of questions and discussion topics for the physician to address, paying close attention to the cleanliness of the office, the demeanor of the staff and the manner in which the dentist speaks to you directly. 

Step 6 – After your meeting, you should have a pretty good idea of which physician is right for you. Call up your pick and schedule an appointment. If your experience doesn’t go as well as you might have hoped, try another physician from your list.