Top 5 Tips to Choose the Right Dentist for You

Going to the dentist isn’t most people’s favorite experience. Having someone put their fingers and tools in your mouth can be somewhat uncomfortable — and many people still avoid going to the dentist.

But, avoiding the dentist simply isn’t the right choice. Instead, you should focus on finding a dentist that you’re comfortable with. Dental visits may never be fun, but they don’t have to be something you dread either.

Your dentist isn’t just someone that pokes around in your mouth. They are your partner in keeping your oral health in good condition. Routine dental checkups are the key to keeping your teeth healthy and preventing disease. Not getting regular checkups can actually be detrimental to your health. 

Don’t let your anxiety or discomfort prevent you from having good oral health. If you’re uncomfortable with your dentist or don’t have one yet, there are some things you can do to find a dentist you like.

Here Are A Few Tips On Finding The Right Dentist For You

1. Gather Referrals

One of the greatest ways to find the right dentist is to contact people who are already their patients, such as your friends and family. Ask them who they see and what they think of them. 

But also ask them why they chose that particular dentist. What was it about their experience that made it enjoyable?

You can also check patient reviews online to learn about others’ experiences. Make a list of the dentists you discover and decide which ones you want to research.

2. Research Their Credentials and Experience

One important thing to know about a dentist is if they are board-certified. It tells you the dentist is trained well and has the skills and experience to correctly perform their job. You also want to check for malpractice claims and disciplinary actions. 

There are many websites where you can find the dentist’s medical school, training hospital, certifications, and malpractice and disciplinary history.

• The dentist’s experience with different conditions can be significant for you, especially if you have a specific concern. The more experience the dentist has with something, the more likely they are to do the job well. 
• Check for additional training in specialties like orthodontics and endodontics. You can ask the dentist yourself how many patients they have treated for specific conditions. 
• Ask how many procedures they’ve performed if you have one you anticipate needing. Find out about complication rates with those procedures. 
• If you’re an anxious patient, ask the dentist how they deal with nervous patients. Do they have techniques to keep them calm? 

Customer reviews can also be precious in learning how they practice dentistry and how they operate their practice. You can learn about how much patients trust the dentist, wait times, office environment, and office staff friendliness. You can also get insight into how much time the dentist spends on each patient and how well they answer questions.

3. Gender and Communication

Being comfortable with your dentist’s gender is an issue for some people. Some people prefer those of the same gender since you will be discussing personal information. 

There are more techniques these days for treating men and women differently. Ask the dentist about their training in these areas. Being specific about your condition and gender will help you find the right dentist. 

Communication style is also essential. Sometimes this can involve gender, and sometimes not. Different patients have different needs regarding how the provider answers questions, the time the doctor spends, and how they explain things overall. 

4. Consider Telehealth

If telehealth is essential to you, it will be a good idea to ask if the dentist offers it. It can’t replace in-person visits, but it can help reduce the number of times you need to go to the office. You gather your symptoms and vital signs from home and then give your dentist the information during the visit.

These visits can be great for follow-ups and minor complaints–where you don’t necessarily need an exam. They are also valuable if you have difficulty getting out, have transportation issues, and if you’re trying to avoid COVID-19. 

5. Make Sure Your Insurance Covers Them

Dental care can be expensive, so it’s important to know what dentists your insurance covers and which ones they don’t. Your insurance company may often provide a list of local providers in your network. Some of this information may be available online, over the phone, or by mail. 

From there, you can choose a dentist based on credentials, experience, referrals, and everything else. Combine all of these tips, and hopefully, you will have a few names to consider and start the process. 

This information should help narrow down your search to find the right dentist for you. 

Check Us Out

At Carrie Muzny DDS and Associates, we are here to take care of your oral health. We want you to find the right dentist. We offer a range of preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry services. From cleanings to fillings, to whitening and veneers, we provide everything you need to get the smile you deserve. We cover several insurance providers, provide a variety of services, and have experience in many areas of dentistry. Contact us today for a consultation, and let’s show the world your brilliant smile.