Tips to choose the right dentist for you

Does the thought of visiting your dentist make you anxious? You are not alone in this. A large number of Americans skip their biannual dental checkups either because of their anxiety or because they are not comfortable with their dentist. However, this is not a healthy habit as skipping your dental checkups or not treating dental diseases on time can have a negative impact on your dental health. 

Remember that your dentist is your partner in oral health. It is important to have routine dental checkups and treatments done by your dentist on time to keep your teeth, mouth, and gums healthy and prevent dental disease. Besides impacting the health of your teeth, not taking care of your mouth well can contribute to other health risks, including cardiovascular disease. 

How do you find the right dentist whom you can trust? Read our blog to know some important factors to keep in mind.

• Get Referrals

Create a list of potential dentists - either ask your family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers about their opinion on their dentist or ask your physician for a referral.  Research about the dentists' credentials and experience and make sure they are members of professional associations, such as the American Dental Association (ADA), Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), or local dental society. Board certification ensures that your dentist has the necessary training, skills, and experience to provide healthcare in general dentistry. 

• Consider the Dentist's Experience and Expertise

The experience of your dentist matters a lot when you face a severe oral condition. The more experience a dentist has treating a condition or conducting a procedure, the better the results are likely to be. In order to deal with dental specialties like orthodontics and endodontics, the dentist will require additional training. Ensure that the dentist has enough experience and expertise in treating patients with your specific condition. 

• Accessibility

Ensure that the location of your dentist is easily accessible to you. Choose your dentist according to your preference - do you want the dentist's office to be near your workplace or your home? Also, understand the dental office hours, working days, and ease of scheduling dental appointments. 

• Read patient reviews

Patient reviews reflect people's opinions about the dental office about the office environment, office staff friendliness, ease of scheduling appointments, wait times, and the overall experience.   Read what other patients have to say about the dentist - understand how friendly and helpful the dentist is, how much time he or she spends with the patients,  how well they answer questions, etc.

• Know What Your Insurance Covers

Understand what your dental insurance covers. Choose a dentist who participates in your insurance plan so as to receive the most dental insurance benefits.

When you choose a new dentist, remember that you're selecting more than someone to clean your teeth. Instead, you are selecting your partner who can help to maintain your oral health and has the best interest of you and your family.