Has the time come for you to look for a new dentist? This can happen for a variety of reasons. You might move to a new city or town, or you might start working in a city that is far away from your current dentist. Your old dentist might have retired or moved offices, or maybe you just weren’t happy there. Another possibility is that you have not been seeing a dentist regularly, and now you’ve decided it’s time to do so. Of course, your first concern is that you find a dentist that you like and who can meet your needs. If you’re not sure how to start narrowing down the pool, here are some other considerations when looking for a new dentist.

Location

It seems obvious, but the location is one of the more important considerations to keep in mind when looking for a new dentist. It isn’t necessarily just as simple as finding someone in town, though. Think about traffic during the time of day that you’re likely to make appointments (particularly if you’re trying to see the dentist before or after work, which might be during rush hour), as well as the office’s convenience to both work and home.

Now, this is not to say that an excellent dentist is not worth going out of your way! There are times when you might choose a dentist who is out of town or inconveniently located. Consider whether you will want to or can travel farther if you have a severe toothache, if you need to go to the dentist during the middle of your workday, or if you have to go in several times for a procedure that takes more than one visit.

Insurance and Payments

If you have dental insurance, you likely have a list of dentists who are in-network. Depending on your plan, you might pay a bit more if you go out of network, or you might have no coverage at all if you see someone, not on your plan. Only you can decide if you are in the financial position to see whoever you’d like, regardless of whether they participate in your insurance network.

If you don’t have insurance, you’re freer to go wherever you’d like. You might purchase a discount plan with your specific dentist. Payment options are another consideration. If you need to make payment plans, use a dental credit service (like CareCredit), or would like to see someone who will give you a discount for paying cash upfront, these are questions to ask before your first appointment.

Recommendations and Reviews

When trying to find a new dentist, particularly if you’re new to the area, you will need to rely on others’ recommendations. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends and acquaintances who they think is the right dentist in your town. Word-of-mouth is still one of the best ways to find all types of service providers, including a dentist! You can also check on Yelp, Facebook Reviews, Google Reviews, and the like. Some dentists will also have testimonials on their websites (though these will generally only include positive reviews). Do as much filtering of the available dentists in your area without leaving home to save time.

Looking for a new dentist can be stressful, but with these considerations, you can narrow down your options and then make the best decision from there. If you are searching for a new dentist, please feel free to call and schedule a consultation so you can see if our office is a good fit.