How to Pick a Dentist

Tips for Helping Your Choose the Perfect Dental Professional for You and Your Family

When it comes to caring for our teeth, gums, and mouth, it is important to visit a dental professional at least twice a year. But, what stops many people from going to the dentist is being afraid or uncomfortable with the experience? One of the best ways to make going to the dentist less uncomfortable and more enjoyable is finding a dental professional you trust and are comfortable with. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect dentist for your and your family’s dental health.

Understand Your Dental Benefits

For those who have a dental health plan, a large part of choosing a dentist lies with the group of dental professionals their insurance works with. For example, dental HMOs will limit the choice of dentists that their members can choose from, specifically those dentists that are a part of that HMOs network. For those with a PPO plan, the dentist they visit can often have a direct effect on how much it will cost them in copay. Make sure to know and understand the limitations of any dental benefit plan you may have.

Think About Accessibility

Where the dentist is located will also play a big factor in someone’s decision on which dental professional they want to see. Depending on your lifestyle, a dentist that is close to home or closer to work may be more ideal. Also, you want to think about how flexible the dental office is about making appointments, especially if you work odd hours or if the children in the family have after school activities. All dental offices will work differently, so it is important to find an office that is willing to work with your unique schedule in order for you to receive proper dental care.

Have a Consultation

A lot of the comfortability factor of going to the dentist is getting along well with the dentist and feeling confident he or she has your best interests in mind when it comes to your dental health. Many dental offices will offer consultation services – this is a great time to meet with the dentist, learn more about his or her practice and expertise, and see if the practice will be a good fit for you and your family. Also, if you have specific dental needs, this is a good time to make sure the dentist is equipped to meet those needs.

Isn’t it time you started going to the dentist again? If you are avoiding it because you don’t have insurance, consider using the Wellness Dental Plan, a New Hampshire discount dental plan that can save you as much as 20 percent off every bill. For more information, click here.

*Photo Courtesy of Conor Lawless via Creative Commons License