Locating an effective dental provider is essential to taking good care of your oral health. Here’s how you can select a suitable dentist for you or your children.
Start by asking friends, family and coworkers for recommendations of dental care providers in their area. There may even be one that they know about!
Determine Your Needs
If you require specialist treatment such as wheelchair-accessible surgery or sedation dentistry, inquire as to whether your preferred dentist can accommodate you. If they agree, request an estimate of charges prior to starting so you know what you can expect and when to expect payment – this may be possible through National Health Service (NHS), while check whether low income individuals qualify for dental cost relief by filling in an HC1 form.
Consider how far away the practice is from your home or work and its operating hours before scheduling any treatments. Travel may be involved for some treatments; make sure they fit within your busy schedule!
Examine reviews written by previous patients online as well as trying to visit the practice before making your decision. When making an appointment, ask for a consultation time so you can observe how friendly and professional staff members are as well as what facilities there are available such as waiting areas or equipment.
If you have insurance, make a note of how much each provider charges for an examination, cleaning and basic treatments like fillings or dentures. Compare their prices against others in your area to see if theirs are reasonable.
Ask about any discounts that may be available, including senior or children’s rates, as well as interest-free finance options from your practice. Some private dental insurers provide free or reduced cost dental care to those on low incomes; this may vary by state.
If you don’t already have dental coverage, consider individual plans offered by Spirit Dental and UnitedHealthOne that provide affordable individual plans at reasonable rates without waiting periods for basic and major services. If a waiting period is necessary for some reason, however, check out UnitedHealthOne’s Premier Elite and Primary Preferred plans with six month waiting periods if you cannot afford all procedures up front.
Do Your Research
As a patient, it’s vital that you select a dental care provider who understands your specific oral health requirements and knows how best to address them. Furthermore, finding one who makes communication easy while providing comfortable appointments should also be key.
Conduct research to help narrow your choices. Start by getting recommendations from family, friends and neighbors; check online reviews and social media posts as well. When you have found some potential candidates like a Life of Smiles, located in Grand Rapids Michigan, ask if they accept your insurance and any discounts may apply.
Consider also your dentist’s level of experience when seeking treatment for specific issues like gum disease or dental implants. Knowing their success rate as well as any additional training received would help narrow down your options significantly.
If you’re contemplating dental insurance, make sure you research which providers are part of the network and which aren’t. That way, you can make an informed choice on which option is right for you. Similarly, if paying out-of-pocket for treatment yourself, learn which dentists offer payment plans as well as whether or not their practice offers telehealth services.
Some dentists are now offering remote diagnosis and treatment of certain conditions via two-way video, smartphones or email – this can save both time and money by eliminating the need to visit their office in person. Furthermore, certain practices even provide follow-ups or minor complaints via telehealth services.
Be mindful of any annual coverage caps, limits or waiting periods that might apply to your plan. If you have group coverage through an employer or another entity such as AARP, check their list of participating providers; find out whether your preferred dentist is included on it; as well as their fees for non-insurance covered visits.
Ask Questions
Selecting a dentist is an important decision that can have lasting consequences on your oral health. Before making this investment, be sure to ask plenty of questions and do your research thoroughly.
If you feel awkward asking friends or family for referrals, consider searching online instead. Many websites allow users to search dentists by service type and read reviews from past patients – once you find some that seem promising, schedule a consultation session so you can meet in person and determine if you are compatible.
Consider asking potential dentists about their practice policies, which includes what services they provide and the fees for these procedures. Some accept only certain dental insurance plans while others may charge flat fees for certain procedures. It is also wise to inquire about coverage caps set by dental plans; in general, most policies have annual maximum limits that they cover per policy and once those limits have been exceeded you’ll be responsible for any additional payments yourself.
Ask about their technology and the way it’s being utilized to diagnose and treat patients. From digital x-rays to laser dentistry, new innovations can drastically enhance care. Make sure your potential dentist keeps abreast of new innovations while proudly showing off his/her skills with these advanced tools.
Some dentists now provide virtual visits that use two-way videoconferencing and your smartphone, providing a convenient option for managing minor ailments while saving you time in the office.
No matter if it is because you have relocated, switched insurance plans or retired; finding the perfect dentist is an investment worth making for your overall wellbeing. By following these simple tips you can locate someone who will ensure optimal health while giving you a smile worthy of showing it!
Make an Appointment
Once you’ve selected a dentist from your shortlist, call his/her office and schedule an appointment. Inform him/her of any dental concerns or needs you may have while asking any pertinent questions. Don’t forget to inform the receptionist if any payment arrangements need to be made or insurance arrangements that must be addressed as well.
Receptionists should provide an estimate for how long a visit should last, so plan ahead. For instance, a comprehensive dental exam and cleaning can last two hours or longer. Furthermore, your office may provide or request that you fill out forms; make sure that both medical and dental records are prepared.
If you have dental insurance, make sure that the dentist you see is within its network; this will save money since he or she has already agreed on prices with your insurer. Otherwise, find out whether they accept cash or credit cards; some dentists may charge consultation fees but this information can typically be obtained during initial phone conversations with receptionists.
Not only can you do your own research, but friends and family may offer recommendations as well. Keep in mind that each person’s needs and experiences differ; when selecting a dentist it is essential to look beyond credentials such as education/training/approach as well as patient reviews when making decisions.
One way of finding a dentist is through community health centers, public health programs, the Veterans Affairs or dental schools – each offering low-cost or free care for eligible members of society.
If you are having difficulty in finding a dentist, ask your current one for a referral. Dentists frequently work together with other providers to better serve their patients; if they cannot refer anyone suitable, get their names and reasons why as recommendations; use those names when searching. Our Guardian Dentist Lookup Tool makes the search easier by helping locate in-network providers nearby.
