Home | Body & Wellness

What Do You Look For When Finding a Dentist?


Aug 15, 2018

The wrong dentist can lead to a horror story. There are many people who are terrified of the dentist for a variety of reasons. The main one is that they have suffered from some sort of trauma in the past. Building a repertoire with a dentist can be difficult, but it can be done. The hardest part is finding a new dentist as an adult after having to leave your previous one.

When there are trying to find a dentist, there are a lot of things to consider. If you find a dentist that fits your need, you can then build a long term relationship based on trust and professionalism. Healthier teeth makes life better, so having a good dentist is one of the keys to a better life.

8 Steps to Choosing the RIght Dentist

  1. Establish Your Physical Range
  2. Research Credentials
  3. Ensure You Can Pay How You WIsh
  4. Make Sure Hours of Operation Matches Your Schedule
  5. Does the Dentist Specialize?
  6. Check Out the Office
  7. Conduct an Interview
  8. Check the Scheduling

What to Look For When Finding a Dentist - The Steps Explained

Dentistry is one thing that’s not going to be converted to online anytime soon. Because of this, it’s important to know how far you are willing to travel for a dentist. Establish a range that you are willing to travel within and it will make your search easier.

From that point on, it’s time to check out some local dentist offices. Speaking with friends and family can often offer up some suggestions. Beyond that, it’s good to check out Yelp and other reviews. The better business bureau can also list dentists who have had complaints against them.

Paying the dentist can be tedious sometimes. Before choosing a dentist, ensure that they take your dental insurance. It’s best when they will take it immediately, and you don’t need to pay and be reimbursed later. If you lack dental insurance, make sure they will take your preferred payment method. It’s also necessary to figure out what hours the dentist works. Many have moved off of the standard 9-5 schedule for at least one day per week. This allows them to service clients who simply can’t make it during the day. It’s a nice perk.

Not every dentist is a specialist. There are some complex and difficult surgeries that can require someone who does nothing else. Find out if your potential dentist can do these, or has an agreement with a specialist. Difficult root canals or wisdom teeth extraction can use a specialist.

After you’ve found out about their specialties. Just drop into the office and check it out. Speak with the receptionist and see if they can give you a tour of the surroundings. It’s good to meet with the dentist directly and discuss any questions or concerns you may have about both your teeth and the practice. In this fashion, all information needed will be passed on.

The final thing to do is check out the scheduling of the office. If you can get a spot anytime, there’s likely a lack of clients and that says something. If you’re unable to schedule an appointment for months at a time, that also isn’t useful. A moderate amount of time (a month or two in advance) combined with time slots for emergencies is the best potential setup for an office.


Health Disclaimer: All content and media on Zubican.com are produced for general informational purposes only. This content is not meant to be an alternative to professional advice from a doctor or other healthcare provider and shouldn’t be relied on as personal health advice. Results of any treatment or advice used from Zubican.com's content may have varying results.

It is strongly recommended to always seek the guidance of a doctor or other healthcare provider with questions regarding any health or a medical issue. Advice and treatment plans should never be disregard from a medical professional, or delay seeking it because of the content on Zubican.com.

If a medical emergency, call a doctor, travel to the closest hospital emergency department, or dial 9-1-1 immediately. Choosing to rely on any content provided by Zubican.com, is solely done at your own risk.