It’s never too early to start thinking about your teeth. After all, your mouth is the gateway to your overall health and well-being. But, deciding which dental practice to see for your oral health can be difficult.
There are so many things to consider when thinking about the future of your dental care! The best thing you can do is sit down and make a list of what’s important to you for the right dentist to come forward. There are many factors to consider, including dental insurance, location, hours of operation, qualifications, and more.
Here Are 14 Factors to Consider to Help Get Your Search for Dental Care Started:
1. Consider the Type of Dental Care You Need
There are many different types of dentists and dental care services. A family dentist may specialize in treating children while others are skilled in cosmetic dental procedures. Some focus on oral surgery; others deal with preventative care of things like gum disease and tooth decay. Some practices offer treatment with nitrous oxide and have a dental practitioner skilled at calming dental anxiety in dental patients.
When you’re choosing a dentist, it’s important to find one who can provide the dental services that you need with cutting-edge dental technologies. Suppose you have complicated dental issues like missing teeth or hidden dental problems. In such cases, you may need to see more than one dentist, or you may need to see an oral surgeon instead of a family dentist.
According to Britannica
“In the United States nine specialties are recognized by the American Dental Association: orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics; pediatric dentistry; periodontics; prosthodontics; oral and maxillofacial surgery; oral and maxillofacial pathology; endodontics; public health dentistry; and oral and maxillofacial radiology.”
2. Check the Dentist’s Qualifications Before Your Dental Appointment
All dentists in the United States must be licensed to any given practice by the American Dental Association (ADA) to practice dentistry.
When choosing a dentist, if you want a dental care provider who is highly qualified at performing specialty procedures, check to see if they have any additional credentials. For example, suppose you have a specific dental need. In that case, an ADA-recognized specialized care certification will let you know that this dentist has advanced education and training in their area of expertise.
3. Ask Your Friends and Family for Recommendations
If you already have friends and family living in Eastpointe, ask them whom they see to take care of their dental health. Even if they live in a different city, someone else you know might have been to a fantastic dentist that you can choose from.
The best place to ask for recommendations is on social media. Facebook and other social media websites are great places to look because these networks will also let you know if other patients have reviewed the dentist.
You can also contact your insurance company for referrals or look for patient experience information online.
4. Check the Dentist’s Reviews Online
If you’re looking for a dentist in Eastpointe, MI, online reviews can be helpful. Just be sure to read various reviews to get an honest opinion. Some dentists only have a few reviews, so be sure to read between the lines.
Look for common complaints and praises from patients. If many patients say that the dentist is hard to get in touch with or doesn’t offer early morning or evening appointments, this could be a red flag. However, if patients are commending the services offered by the practice or talking about how the practice caters to patient comfort, this is a good sign.
5. Tour the Dentist’s Practice
When you visit the dentist’s office, take a tour and see if it is clean and organized.
The dentist’s equipment should be up-to-date with the latest dental technology, and the practice should handle a variety of dental services under one roof.
6. Do They Have a Friendly Staff?
The people who work at the dental practice are there to help you. The staff should be friendly and happy to answer any questions about your oral health. However, if your needs aren’t being met or you don’t feel comfortable talking with your dentist, find another one! It’s essential that you feel relaxed when you visit the dentist.
7. Consider How Much Dental Insurance You Have
Not all dentists accept all dental insurance plans. Before you set a date to meet with a new dentist, be sure to call the dentist and ask if they take your insurance. If they do not, they may be able to refer you to a dentist who does.
8. Call to Verify Office Hours That Fit Your Schedule
Many practices don’t offer evening or weekend appointments and emergency cases. If you work or have a busy schedule, be sure to call and verify that they provide hours that will work for you.
9. Do They Handle Emergencies or Last-Minute Appointments?
Another thing to consider is whether the dentist offers same-day appointments in an emergency.
Many dental patients experience dental anxiety during dental emergency cases. If you don’t already have one, choosing a dentist during a dental emergency can lead anyone to feel overwhelmed and anxious. That’s why it’s important that your dentist offers excellent patient care, understands the fears related to dental work, handles emergencies, and offers flexible scheduling.
10. Consider the Dentist’s Location
Do you want a family dentist who is close to your home or your work? If you prefer to see a dentist who is on your way to work or home, find out if that option is available.
If you don’t have a preference, look for a general dentist in Eastpointe, MI, who is convenient for your whole family.
11. If You Have Trouble Walking, Make Sure to Check Out the Parking Situation
If you or someone in your family has limited mobility but needs treatment, make sure to check the parking situation at the dentist’s office. If possible, it is helpful to look for a location with handicapped parking or wheelchair accessibility.
12. Ask About the Dentist’s Payment Options
Before your consultation, ask the dentist’s office about their financial options. You can also contact your insurance company or look online to compare the costs of different practices in Eastpointe, MI.
Sometimes, you may be able to negotiate a payment plan or other financial terms for your services with the dentist. In other cases, you might find that some dentists offer free dental care as part of an outreach program for those in need.
13. Schedule a Consultation
No matter what dental services you need, it’s always a good idea to schedule an initial consultation. During this visit, you can ask your dentist about the details of your specific treatment process and get any questions answered. This is also an excellent time for you to voice any concerns or anxieties that you might have about seeing the dentist.
14. You Are Your Own Best Advocate for Dental Health
Above all else, the most important thing to remember is that your oral health is essential. Therefore, it’s important to be proactive about your dental care and find a dental office that you feel comfortable with to meet your needs.
Let Patient Empowered Dentistry Help You Have a Healthy Smile for a Lifetime!
We hope that this article has helped you better understand the essential things to consider when choosing a dentist. If you have any questions about our Eastpointe, Michigan location, or you would like to schedule a consultation, please call or request an appointment online today!
