Finding a Dentist Near Me

Good oral hygiene is a practice that takes care and good habits. Yes, brushing your teeth and flossing daily is easy, but taking care of your teeth is more than those daily practices. It’s important to have a regular visit scheduled with your dentist every 6 months for a thorough cleaning and check-up. To get started, it is important to find a dentist savage whom you trust and makes you feel comfortable. But finding a dentist for you and for your family is not the easiest step to take and may cause a lot of stress. Here are a few steps to find a dentist near you and get an appointment scheduled.

Getting Started

Just like finding a local dry cleaner or hairdresser, an easy option is to google “dentist near me” or look in the local listings. You can call two or three dentist and see who may be able to accept new patients. Many dentists have websites where you may be able to review the services they provide and see what dental team they have working with them. This approach is easy, and potentially the quickest, but you are gambling with the quality of care of the provider you pick. Another option is to login to your dental insurance providers website and look for providers that are covered by your insurance and located in your area. Potentially the safest option is to reach out the family, friends, or coworkers in your city for their recommendations. For the most part, people have a strong opinion about their dentists and usually find one that they feel comfortable with and trust. Unfortunately, once you have a recommendation you may find they are not taking any more patients. A popular dentist is usually a busy dentist! It would be a good idea to put together a list of recommended providers before making any phone calls, this way if your first choice is not available you have another option for your next call.

Picking a good fit for you

After you create a list of recommended providers you are ready to start making phone calls to ask questions. At this point, it is important that you know what your needs are, and the needs of your family. For example, if you have young children you may be looking for a provider’s office who has a practitioner who specializes in pediatrics. Or you may have a tough work schedule to work around and need to find a provider who takes later appointments. Once you start asking questions, you will be able to get a feel for the provider’s staff. Is the person you spoke with friendly? Did they help you think through your choices and make you feel comfortable when you asked questions? Once you find a provider who makes you feel comfortable make an appointment for a first visit. But, don’t throw away your list! It is worthwhile to go to this appointment and observe the dentist’s manner. Do you feel comfortable with them? Do they seem trustworthy? Do they listen to your questions and clearly communicate to you about your current oral health? Having that list of options at home should give you the confidence to not settle with the first provider you visit if you are not sold on them. You are in control of your oral health!

Learn More About General Dentists : How Often Should I Visit the Dentist?