Finding a good dentist is not high on many people’s priority list, but it’s very important to keep up with proper dental care. It might seem like there is an overwhelming number of dentists in the area, but here are some tips for finding the right dentist.
The first tip is to talk to family members, friends and other acquaintances for any referrals. Those are the people that will share honest answers about their experiences. While there are a number of websites that rate dentists and have reviews, they are still written by anonymous strangers that might not include very many details about their experiences. In cases where patients are moving out of the area, often times the current dentist can offer a recommendation.
The next tip is to know and understand what types of services the dentist offers. Think about the services that will be needed in the immediate future and also further down the road. Common services that are referred out to specialists are bridge work, implants and crowns. It is also a good idea to know what the protocol is for emergency dental care. Does the office have an emergency line to call? Is there an after hours option if something happens in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
Another thing to consider is how convenient the dental office is. Some patients feel more comfortable having the dental office near their home or work place so it’s easier to get to quickly. Another convenience factor is hours of operation. Those two things will make keeping appointments easier.
Finally, it is always a good idea to visit the office in person. This is a great way to see how friendly the office staff is and how open they are to answering questions. It might be a good idea to call ahead to see if the dentist will have a few minutes to spare. This is a great time to ask about the dentist’s schooling and what other continuing education they do. Keeping up to date with treatment and technology is a huge benefit to patients.
Those 4 tips will make finding a dentist very easy, but for specific questions contact the office or stop by the Lewis Family Dentistry. You can also follow them on Twitter.
