What To Look for in a New Dentist

When moving to a brand-new neighborhood, there is a seemingly endless checklist of tasks to take care of. As well as updating your address and familiarizing yourself with what the local food scene offers, you must remember to find a dentist.

But with so many factors to consider during the selection process, it cannot be easy to know where to begin. Continue reading to find out what you should look for in a new dentist.  

Insurance 

One of the first steps in shopping around for a new dentist is to ask which insurance plans they accept and do not accept ahead of time.

This can prevent you from wasting a considerable amount of time and money and allow you to extend your search for a new dentist elsewhere if need be. Dental care can be expensive regardless of which dental treatments you are anticipating.

This is especially important if you want a dentist to carry out a root canal or filling. You must ensure your dentist accepts your insurance plan before you schedule an appointment.

If you are unsure or just looking for a second opinion, try contacting your insurance company and inquiring which dentists in your local area are covered by their network.  

Treatments  

Before you make a final decision, you must find out which dental treatments your new dentist offers. While most dentists are qualified to carry out a wide range of dental treatments, this can differ from practice to practice.

To familiarize yourself with the treatments they provide and their price list, conduct a quick online search or pay a visit to your local branch. Try scheduling a consultation appointment for more information to ensure they are the right dentist for you.

For example, suppose you are looking to find out more about nighttime clear aligners or invisible braces. In that case, they may be able to let you know everything you need to know about wearing clear aligners at night time or recommend an alternative provider. 

Reputation 

If you are confident your new dentist accepts your insurance plan and offers the dental treatment you require, you should research their reputation online and in person.

For example, online reviews and testimonials can be a great way to find out how popular a dentist is in your local area and how successful they have been at administrating dental treatments.

Asking on local online forums, chatrooms or social media can also be a great way to familiarize yourself with anonymous stories, reviews, and advice.

You can weigh up the pros and cons and make an informed decision by getting a second opinion. A negative review shouldn’t sway your entire decision.

Still, it may be worth discovering why the customer had a poor experience and what was done to ensure the same mistake is unlikely to happen again.

Disgruntled customers are likelier to leave a negative review in the heat of the moment. If this is the case, you should take the review with a grain of salt. 

Credentials 

As your dentist will be working on your mouth, teeth, and gums, you must ensure they are well-qualified in their field. Your oral health should be an integral component of your overall health and wellness.

By taking the time to find a new dentist with industry-leading credentials, you can relax knowing you are in safe hands. You must ensure your dentist not only graduated from an accredited dental school but is committed to growing and developing their craft throughout the course of their career.

Ask your dentist about their qualifications during your initial consultation or first check-up appointment. With so many medical trends to keep up with in the dental industry, an enthusiastic approach to continuing education is key. 

Customer base 

While this information may not be readily available, it may benefit you to find out which customers they cater to. For example, your new dentist may specialize in geriatric dentistry, pediatric dentistry, adult dentistry, or cosmetic dentistry.

If you are looking for a new dentist for the whole family, you must ensure your new practice caters to you and your loved ones. Start by asking whether or not they have any limits on the type of patients they are willing to provide dental care too.

If they do not cater to children, it may benefit you to extend your search for a family dentist elsewhere. 

When it comes to finding a new dentist, you must consider several factors beforehand. This includes which insurance plans they accept, what treatments they offer, their reputation, their credentials, and which type of customers they cater to.