Dental Delight: 4 Secrets to Picking a Great Dentist

Selecting a new dentist can be a stressful experience. Anytime you are making the choice about someone who will be in charge of a part of your health you want to make sure you are making the right choice. The choice can be even more difficult if you are a nervous patient.

Many people suffer from some form of dental phobia. Interestingly, it isn’t necessary to have experienced anything bad at the dentist to have dental phobia. If you do have dental anxiety, don’t let that stop you from going to the dentist. A good dentist has seen all levels of anxiety and will help make you feel more comfortable. You can also reduce your stress level by finding a provider before you have an emergency and performing some basic research.

Understand Your Insurance Plan

Before you even look for a dentist, take out your dental health benefits book and read your plan. Your plan, whether it is an HMO or PPO, may have specific information regarding who you can choose as your provider. If you choose a provider that isn’t covered, you may end up footing the entire bill. Even a provider that accepts your insurance may cost more than another under different levels of PPO coverage.

Understanding how your insurance coverage works before narrowing down your choices prevents you from wasting time, or money, later. If you have questions after reading your policy, you can always call your benefits provider to get answers to specific questions.

Ask Others for Recommendations

Ask friends, family members, and coworkers for recommendations. This is a particularly good way to find a dentist if you have some specific concerns. For example, if you have some dental phobia, go ahead and let others know that. They may love their own dentist, but if he is somewhat lacking in bedside manner, he may not be the best choice for someone who is uncomfortable at the dentist. On the other hand, someone may feel that their dentist is a little pricey, but if she routinely offers sedation, headphones, and other distractions, she may be worth the price for you.

Consider Accessibility

Once you have several dentists on your list, look up their offices. Consider how easy it is to get from their office to your home or office. Also look up their hours. Consider how easy it is for you to schedule time away from the office for personal matters. If it is a challenge, an office with early morning, evening, or weekend hours may be more attractive. Be aware, however, that those time slots may fill up quickly.

Schedule a Consultation

While dentists like montgomery dental and similar practitioners are generally happy to see new patients without a consultation, it makes sense to schedule one. A consultation is not necessary, but it can help you feel more comfortable in your decision. A consultation is a particularly good idea if you have dental phobia or complicated dental issues. Other things worth discussing would be if you suffer from TMJ, are interested in cosmetic procedures, or are actively experiencing dental pain. You can also speak with the office manager at this time if you have questions about your dental coverage.

Selecting a great dentist is more than luck. It involves taking time to research the options in your area and making the choice that works best for you. There probably won’t be only one right choice, but at the same time, selecting the dentist who is closest to your house or because you have noticed their advertisements is not the best idea. Many dental issues can be stopped with early and proper treatment, so it makes sense to select a dentist whom you trust and can visit as recommended.

About the author:

Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max. Kara is the youngest of four. She has two hilarious brothers and one beautiful sister. She also is the aunt of 5 crazy little girls that she loves more than anything!! Kara is not yet able to be a mom, but she loves being around kids and being like a second mom to her nieces. She dreams of the day that she can start her own little family.

One comment

  1. Ωχ..τους φοβάμαι του οδοντιάτρους..έχω αλλάξει άπειρους μέχρι να καταλήξω σε γυναίκα !Καλο μηνα και καλό Χειμώνα να εχουμε!!Πολλα φιλάκια!!

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