3 Tips to Choose the Best Dentist in Your Local Area
Even before the pandemic, only 67% of American adults were seeing a dentist during the year.
While it’s generally recommended that you visit your local dentist every six months, the right frequency for you will probably depend upon your dental history and the condition of your chompers. It’s important to find a dental professional who you can trust.
How do you begin your search for the best dentist in your neighborhood?
Let’s take a look.
1. Recommendations and Reviews
Social media community pages are a great place to begin your search for the right dentist. Ask who can recommend their dentist and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Was the staff knowledgeable and professional? Were they able to provide adequate dental treatment? Did the dentist give good advice and help them to overcome dental anxiety?
Once you’ve got some recommendations, you’ll want to search online for reviews from former patients. You can find these on your dentist’s website or on business review sites. While it’s possible for anyone to get a poor review sometimes, you’ll want to be on the lookout for patterns that could alert you to the possibility of a bad experience.
Do a lot of former clients remark on how long they had to wait for an appointment, or how messy the office was? It’s probably time to move on.
On the other hand, a lot of similar positive reviews can reassure you that you’re making a good decision.
2. Takes Your Insurance
Most dental insurance plans will cover two cleanings a year. If you have dental insurance, make sure the dentist you choose takes your plan.
Your co-workers are a good place to ask for these recommendations since they probably have the same type of insurance as you.
If you don’t have insurance, consider setting up a Health Saving Account (HSA.) These will allow you to put aside a certain amount of tax-sheltered money each month that you can use for health-related expenses such as dental care. This will allow you to keep more of the money from your paycheck and offset some of your dental expenses.
If your employer doesn’t offer an HSA, you can also ask about a Flexible Spending Account (FSA,) which works in a similar way.
3. The Right Range of Care
If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, you may require a deep cleaning or information from a dental fillings guide. You may also need cosmetic dentistry such as crowns or dentures.
Before visiting your dentist, make sure they can provide all of the services you require. Talking to them will give you a good idea of their expertise when it comes to various treatments.
Finding the Best Dentist
The best dentist for you will come highly recommended and be convenient for you to drive to. They will be able to provide all of the care you need to get back your shining smile.
For more information on your health and lifestyle, read our blog today.
