How To Pick a Dentist Using Your Friends as a Resource

If you are in search of a good dentist, you can likely find one just by asking your friends for a few recommendations. After all, nearly everyone has been to a dental practitioner within the last few years. Consider a few questions to ask people you know as you try to find a new dental office to use.

The first thing you should keep in mind is that you should only ask people whose recommendations you would value. For example, if you know someone with teeth that are not in good shape, you should probably avoid using their dentist, unless of course you notice that their teeth have improved since visiting their dental office. If not, you can always learn which practitioner not to visit, which can help you narrow your search.

You should also keep in mind what kind of work you need done, as this can determine which dentist you use. If you have a friend who recently had some cavities filled or some teeth extracted, and you suspect that you need similar services, you should ask who he or she would recommend. If, on the other hand, you want some cosmetic procedures done, such as tooth whitening or a chip filled in, you should talk to someone who has had similar treatment. If you need a more specialized procedure, such as the removal of wisdom teeth or treatment of gum disease, you may have to see a specialist since not all offices offer these services. Therefore, you might have to talk to someone who has had these procedures done.

Another thing to discuss with a friend is how payment works for the practitioner he or she has seen. First, consider whether this person has dental insurance, since the payment will work differently if one of you has it and the other does not. In fact, the price is usually different for those paying cash compared to what insurance companies pay, so keep this in mind when asking about costs. The same goes for payment policies, as you should find out whether the entire cost is due upfront before your appointment, or if you can pay it later. Again, this may differ depending on not only the dentist, but whether or not you have insurance, and which provider you use. However, most people with coverage have to pay at least a deductible or co-pay, in which case you can at least find out which forms of payment are accepted, such as debit cards, checks, or specialized health credit cards.

If you cannot get answers to these questions from people you know who have visited local practices, you can usually find out elsewhere. For example, you can read online reviews if you cannot get any recommendations from people you know. This resource will give you the information from the point of view of someone who has used the practitioner and is not biased either way, in most cases. If you still cannot find out the facts that will help you pick a dentist, you can call the dental offices you are considering, though checking their website may also help.