Perhaps you’ve just moved into town, or maybe you don’t particularly like your current dentist. In either case, you’re on the hunt for a new dental home, so you, like millions of others in your position, go to the internet and type in dentist near me. Almost instantly, you’re inundated with THOUSANDS of results, and the absolute last thing you want to do is read through all of these sites to see if they’re right for you. Is there a way you could make this entire process go faster?
Yes there is! Rather than reading everything, we’re going to tell you the 4 key things you need to look for when choosing your next dentist.
1. Read the Doctor’s Bio
This is the best place to start, and it will help you get the overall feel of the practice. Also, it’ll let you know what kind of experience the doctor has: are they fresh out of dental school or have they been practicing in the area for decades?
Another important thing to look for is the phrase “continuing education.” If the doctor specifically mentions that they frequently and consistently participate in continuing education, this simply means they are constantly trying to improve themselves and learn about the latest techniques and technologies dentistry has to offer. When it comes to you and your family’s smiles, this is the kind of dedication you want!
2. Look at their Online Reviews
Online reviews run the world! Simply put, there is no better way to get to know a practice than by seeing what their current and past patients have to say. Are they happy with the service and care they received? Were the doctors and staff friendly and approachable? Did they have all of the services they need? Would they recommend this practice to friends and family? With the answers to these questions, you’ll be able to know if a practice is right for you or not.
3. Look at their List of Services
This will let you know if the practice has what you particularly need and if they even serve the right kinds of patients. You certainly wouldn’t want to go to a pediatric practice for yourself, nor would you want to take your child to a place that specializes in dental implants! A quick look over the services will let you know if they offer basic preventive care, restorative care, cosmetic services, and so on.
4. Location, Location, Location!
Of course, you want to make sure the practice you’re looking at is in your area! This will make it much easier for you to maintain routine appointments, plus you’ll also have a place to go if you need urgent care in the case of a dental emergency. The closer it is, the more likely you are to visit regularly, which is good news for your teeth in the long run!
Happy Hunting!
By just looking at these 4 things, you’ll be able to easily sift through the endless search results and find the right dental practice for you. Regularly visiting the dentist is essential to not only maintaining your oral health, but your overall health as well, so it’s important to find a practice that works for you! That way, you can make sure your smile is taken care of so that the last thing you ever have to worry about is your teeth.
About the Author
Dr. Darryl Halbert is a general, family, and cosmetic dentist based in Simpsonville, SC. He has over 30 years of experience in dentistry, and he is proud to have spent his entire education and career in South Carolina. He currently practices at Tylan Creek Family Dentistry, and he can be contacted via his website or at (864) 962-6671.