Finding a Dentist: Tips to Help You Land the Right Oral Health Specialist

If you’ve moved to a new town or simply haven’t been keeping up with your regular oral health routine, it may be time to find a good dentist. This can sound easier than it is, of course. How do you know which offices are legitimate and which ones will just be a headache? Here are some guidelines you can use to find quality dental care.

You can’t go wrong by asking people. Talk to your friend, your family members, and the people you work with and find out who they entrust the care of their teeth to. If you have a regular family doctor, he might also be a good person to ask. You’ll likely get several different names by going about your search in this way, but it’s also likely that at least one name will pop up more than once.

If you’re having trouble getting opinions, put out a status on your Facebook and ask your friends. If you have a lot of people from your community on your page, you’ll probably be able to sift through quite a few opinions.

If you’re moving, try asking your current dentist if they can give you a referral. This is especially effective if you are moving within the same state. While they may not know anyone personally, they will know what to look for in a good dentist and may be able to provide you with information that could come in handy. Going in with a referral will also aid you in moving up the appointment ladder, meaning you may be able to get in to see someone who, on the surface, doesn’t seem to be taking new patients.

If money is a big concern, you might think about looking into your local dental schools. Often, they take patients so as to allow their students to get some hands-on experience. A lot of people have saved money by getting their oral health care from such places. All procedures and cleanings are overseen by medical professionals, so you don’t have to worry about mistakes and inexperience creating problems. Still, this isn’t necessarily the route you want to take unless money is tight.

If you’re stuck with simply choosing out of the phone book, that’s okay as well. Just because you make a single appointment with a dentist doesn’t mean you have to keep going back to them forever. Try a few and see which one you get along with.