How to Choose a New Dentist Near 76107

Your satisfaction with your dentist plays a considerable role in how often you want to visit them. The more dissatisfied you are with your current dentist, the more likely you’ll dread making an appointment, and the more your dental health will suffer.

According to a study by the American Dental Association, only 25% of Americans are satisfied with their dental care.

Not all dentist offices are created equal, which makes the selection process even more overwhelming.

Whether you’re looking for a new dentist because you’ve just moved to Fort Worth or you dislike your current dentist, we’ve provided easy-to-follow tips for finding a dentist near 76107.

Get Recommendations

Start your new dentist search by asking friends, relatives, and coworkers for recommendations of good dentists in the area. They’ll be able to give you an objective opinion of their dentist’s services and quality of work.

If you’re moving and don’t have any friends or relatives in the area, ask your current dentist for suggestions. They may be familiar with the best dentists in the area.

You can also check out the American Dental Association’s Find-A-Dentist tool to find a qualified dentist. You can sort by name, specialty, and location.

Factor in Their Office Hours and Location

Nobody wants to take off work and drive far every time for their dental visit. Office hours that work with your schedule and a convenient location are essential factors when choosing a dentist. Gather your list of prospective dentists’ and look at their websites to see their office hours and locations.

Use their address to see how long the commute to the dentist will take from your home or work.

Read Reviews

There are many review sites you can check to gauge the quality of your potential new dentist. Use Google, Yelp, or healthcare-related review sites, like healthgrades.com and vitals.com to find reviews from current or previous patients.

Reviews typically reflect people’s experiences with wait times, office staff friendliness, and quality of service. These reviews might answer any questions you have or help you eliminate some offices from your list.

Check Out Their Qualifications

It’s essential to choose a dentist who is qualified to handle your specific needs. Before making an appointment, look at their websites to see what licenses their dentists hold.

Their site should state that their practitioners hold either a Dental Medicine (DMD) or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. Both DDS and DMD dentists are considered general dentists and can treat overall dental care needs.
Depending on your needs, you may need to find a dentist that specializes in other areas beyond general dentistry like:

• Orthodontics
• Pediatric dentistry
• Oral surgery
• Cosmetic dentistry

You should also consider double-checking their licenses. The American Dental Association website allows you to verify their certifications and any history of malpractice claims or disciplinary actions.

Ask Questions Before Booking Your First Appointment

After you’ve narrowed down your list of dentists, call their offices to ask some preliminary questions. Here is something you might want to ask:

• Does the practice accept your dental plan?
• What kind of financing options do they offer?
• What is the protocol for patients who have emergencies during and after office hours or when the dentist is away?
• How are patients notified when it’s time for a checkup?
• What is the dentist’s office policy on missed appointments?

Ask Even More Questions During Your Visit

A dentist is so much more than a professional who cleans your teeth. Your dentist should be a long-term oral health care partner who you can trust. Because good communication between you and your dentist is essential, try to see if they’ll discuss these topics during your first visit:

• Will they develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs and discuss it with you regularly?
• Will they explain ways to help you prevent dental health problems?
• Are they interested in learning about prior medical history?
• Will the dentist provide a variety of treatment options?
• Are patients carefully screened for periodontal disease?

The goal is to learn how they’ll tackle your dental needs, but you’ll also get a better understanding of the dentist’s “chairside manner.” For example, do you feel their pushing services you don’t need? Do they explain things in an easy-to-understand way?

If you’re dissatisfied with their answers or feel uncomfortable in any way, consider finding another dentist.

Looking for a Trusted Dentist Near 76107? Contact Smile Ft Worth Today!

The more you trust your dentist, the more likely you’ll want to go into the office to maintain your dental health. When finding a new dentist in your area, it’s crucial to take time to search and compare so you can find a new dental partner for years to come. Reviews, credentials, office hours, and location should all be the top factors in your decision.

After your search, contact them on the phone and schedule an appointment to see if they can thoroughly answer your questions and address your needs. Investing in a bit of research early on will save you money, time, and toothaches later.

If you’re looking for a trusted dentist near 76017, schedule a consultation with the Smile Fort Worth team today. Our office is conveniently located in Fort Worth, and our experts have guided patients through their dental healthcare journey for more than 40 years.