Your smile is foundational to you and your personality. You should take diligent care of your teeth to minimize any chance of gum disease, tooth decay or cavities. By simply maintaining healthy teeth, you will retain your healthy appearance, promote your good overall health, and even influence your opportunities for a healthier life in general.
To make sure your entire family gets to enjoy the many benefits of a healthy smile, seek out a qualified family dentist who will provide excellent treatment for all family members. Here is how you can research family dentists in your market to make sure you make a desirable choice.
Search Within Your Insurance Network
If you have dental insurance, make sure you find and choose a family dentist in your insurance network. Failure to confirm this first could result in higher out-of-pocket costs. The office might offer flexible payment plans to make it easier for your family to afford necessary dental treatment.
Compare Family Dentists Online
The internet is an easy place to compare the various family dental practitioners. Check out their qualifications, reviews, and rule out the offices with disciplinary actions on their record.
Ask Your Friends for Recommendations
Once you have determined a list of reputable family dentists in your insurance network, ask your friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers if they have recommendations, or even warnings about which office to avoid. Their experiences will contribute to you making an ideal selection for your family.
Schedule Consultations
The American Dental Association, or ADA, suggests visiting with several family dentists before settling on one for your family. This gives you a chance to both see and compare their facilities in person. You can also ask staff and team members about any concerns you might have. The acceptance you receive on this visit to the dental office for the first time can be a good indicator of how future visits might go.
Consider Other Factors
After completing the above suggestions, you may still have a few reputable family dentists on your list. The final considerations could include logistical needs. Consider the following questions:
- Is the family dentist located near your home or work? In your neighborhood or across town.
- Do the office hours work with your schedule? Consider your own work schedule and also your children’s school commitments.
- What types of anesthesia does the family dentist offer? Many standard treatment options do not require it, but confirm they offer local anesthesia, nitrous oxide and IV sedation if necessary to ensure optimal comfort for your family.
- How does the family dentist handle emergencies? Will you or your child be added to the schedule for a same day visit if possible? If you encounter a dental emergency outside their regular business hours, is there an emergency contact number?
- Are fees and payment plans addressed before a treatment begins? Will the family dentist inform you of costs before administering treatment so there are not any surprises? Since insurance coverage varies, an estimate is better than not knowing at all.
- What is their policy on missed appointments? Do they require 24-hour notice if you must cancel an appointment? Will there be an additional fee for missing appointments without advance notification?