To keep your teeth healthy, you should have a check-up every six months. Around 52% of adults in the US adhere to this recommendation in the US — and you should too!
That means it’s important to have a dentist you trust.
When moving to a new area, finding a family dentist can be daunting. Dental visits often inspire fear and anxiety, though it’s usually irrational — dentists are here to help!
If you want to have a family dentist you feel comfortable around, follow these tips and you should be able to find the perfect one with just a little bit of research!
Look at Qualifications and Experience
If you’re on an internet search for “dentist near me”, the first thing you should consider is qualifications and experience.
General dentists likely have similar qualifications, but their experience may vary, and the other staff in the office — such as hygienists and technicians — may have differences!
You can research the staff or even ask about their experience. Dentists understand that you want to feel at ease in this environment, and should be happy to answer any questions you have about their career.
If you only want to go with a family dentist that has lots of experience, that’s understandable!
What Services Are Offered?
Not every dentist’s office offers every single service. Some, for example, may not have oral surgeons.
If you’ve been wondering when to see a dentist but you know you need work done, you might want to pick an office that offers a long list of treatments. A dentist can confirm exactly what you need, but going to multiple locations can make the process a little more anxiety-inducing.
Perhaps you’re even just looking to have some cosmetic work done, and want to make sure it’s offered.
Many offices will have their services listed on their website. If they don’t, you can always give them a call and ask.
What’s the Office Like?
When it comes to what to look for in a family dentist, the office is a big part of things. Even when you’re just in the waiting room, the last thing you want is a cold environment with unfriendly staff!
You can always look online at pictures of the office and get a sense of it on the website, but it’s also very valuable to visit in person. There’s no better way to know if the environment is a good fit for you.
Most dentist offices will be happy to let you visit to get you sorted out and booked in.
How Are the Finances?
If you have dental insurance, you should make sure the office takes it before you get booked in. Every office isn’t compatible with every insurance.
If you don’t have insurance and plan on paying out of pocket, you should definitely ask for a quote before you commit to getting work done. Prices at dental offices can vary greatly and although it might require an initial appointment to check what needs to be done, you should definitely ask them to be upfront about costs and any financing plans they might be able to offer.
Look at the Reviews
The reviews are a valuable tool when it comes to picking out a family dentist. By looking at Google, Yelp, and other platforms that offer reviews, you can get a sense of the dentist’s office.
It’s important to look at both the good and bad reviews to get a sense of the place — and, of course, make sure there are far more good than bad! Bad reviews can often be irrational or out of an office’s control, so always read them to decide for yourself.
You should never commit to a dentist without doing this first. The reviews may tell you everything you need to know.
Ask Around
If you’re looking for a dentist in your local area and have family and friends around you, chances are, some of them use the same dentist you’re looking at.
Ask them about the dentist, or for their own recommendations. Some of them may have dentists they’ve gone to for years and love, and if you trust their opinion, you may be willing to dive in (though you should always check the reviews first even still!).
If multiple people recommend the same dentist, you may have found a good one.
Consider How They Handle Special Situations
Perhaps there are special situations that need to be considered. For example, 36% of people have a fear of the dentist. Maybe you need to find a dentist that deals well with anxiety.
Perhaps it’s your children who have the anxiety, and you need someone who can deal with that and put them at ease.
You should always feel comfortable inquiring about these situations. Good dentists will know how to put patients at ease, and should have no issue reassuring you or your children when it comes to fear.
It’s very common to have.
With All This in Mind, You’ll Pick the Best Family Dentist
If you keep all of these things in mind while searching and you’re willing to do some research, you’ll be able to find the best family dentist available in your area!
Read the reviews, listen to recommendations, and don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you deem necessary. Any good dentist will be happy to answer them!
If you’re looking for a reliable dentist in Cherry Creek, contact us today to find out how we can help!