Choose a Family Dentist Wisely

Choosing a new dentist seems like an easy task, right? It can be, but only if you're organized and know what questions you need to ask yourself and potential care providers. Some important factors to consider are office hours, credentials, personality, recommendations, payment options and accepted insurance plans.

The easiest starting point is dental insurance. For those with a coverage plan, an easy way to narrow down your search is to call your insurance provider and ask for a list of general dentists in your network. This will save you the time of calling each one and asking if they accept your insurance! From there, you may want to ask friends, relatives and coworkers if they've heard anything about the providers on your list, or ask if they've got any recommendations.

For those without insurance, you may want to look into family dentist practices with easy payment plans or search for a dental school in your area. This is a great way to help students while making sure your family receives the care they need. Plus, even though students are still learning, they are supervised when dealing with patients. Don't feel comfortable with students? See if there's a dentist who will let you pay in installments, and make sure you understand what—if any—interest rate will apply.

Next, make sure the people you've identified are certified. Requirements may vary slightly from state to state, but no one practices without at least a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or, in some cases, a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). Not only can you check to see if your options are licensed, but you can also see if the practice's hygienists have up-to-date licenses, too. Aside from that, you can also see if any disciplinary action has been taken against a licensed individual. If disciplinary action has been taken against a provider you're interested in, find out what happened before eliminating them from your search.

After you've narrowed things down financially and checked for credentials, think about what's most important to you- are you more concerned with having a friendly family dentist or one who has extremely long office hours to fit your family's busy schedule? Some practices are only open a few days per week, while others are open on weekdays plus Saturdays. Consider the reality of what your schedule looks when looking for healthcare that matches. Another convenience issue is the physical location of the office; make sure it's within a reasonable distance from your home or your children's school.

If your children are old enough, ask them for input; some children prefer older female doctors, while others would rather a young person they feel is easier to relate to. This may seem silly, but it's important that both you and your family feel comfortable with the individual you choose to look after your health.

These factors should be a good starting point for your family on their quest for a family dentist. Everyone deserves a friendly, accessible and certified staff to care for their family!