Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Dentist

How can you find a good local family dentistry clinic for you, your family, your spouse, and children? The best approach is take it in stages. Start by creating a short list of offices to check, then prepare to gather information. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to find the perfect dentist that can last for years! Now that you have a list of potential dental clinics, let’s look at five important factors in narrowing down your list of potential new dentists:

Is This Provider In Your Dental Insurance Network

For most US readers, dental insurance is a major factor in picking out the perfect dentist. There are two types of health coverage where one may be more beneficial than the other depending on their specific needs:

  • Dental Insurance (This would cover regular cleanings and checkups)
  • Medical Health Insurance (Usually this covers extraordinarily expensive procedures like root canals or oral surgery).

If you’re not sure of your answer to this question, consult with a healthcare provider. They should have the list of local dentists that are willing to participate in your plan or coverage; these can typically be found on their website and through HR departments. Not only will this give you an idea for where you want to go next but it could also help find out what they offer as dental care services (which is more than just teeth cleanings).

Here is a great question regarding finding a dentist in your insurance network:

What If I’m Satisfied With My Current Dentist, But They’re Not In My Network?

Keep going to the dentist and dental office you love! Ask if they can pre-authorize your treatments and send the receipts into your insurance anyways. Also, ask if they have a membership plan, like Dean Street Dental does!

To understand why this is probably the best choice, it’s important to know that dental prices are not like medical charges. What are dental prices like? It’s hard to say – because they’re not standardized. That means that a procedure you have in one city could cost significantly less than the same thing done somewhere else, depending on what your insurance is willing to cover and how much of an emergency it seems at first glance.

In-network providers sign a contract to be paid less than they would hope, in exchange for being included in the network. It’s worth it and not too much of an issue at first glance but then there is that out-of-network provider mentioned who can charge anything! Browse next article.

Here are the two options I would recommend:

  1. Show them your new dental insurance plan. Find out if they’re willing to accept whatever the insurance company is willing to pay, and then write off the rest. 
  2. Ask for an “in-network fee schedule.” The dental billing code normalization system uses a complex algorithm that calculates how much each insurance company agrees to pay for your procedure. This means you won’t have any problems with the financial side of things if you switch dentists and stay within their network, because they’ll still take care of it as well as everything else!

Either way, the dental office will still file the claim for you. It is recommended to set up an agreement for one of the above options before your appointment so you understand what you will and will not be required to pay.

Is This Dentist a Member of the ADA?

A healthy mouth is essential to one’s overall health, and the best doctor-patient relationships are built on trust. Not only does a dentist help patients maintain their oral hygiene but they also hold an important place of authority in our society that makes them uniquely qualified as confidants for other medical issues or concerns.

When you choose an ADA member dentist, the draw of access to up-to-date information and resources is irresistible. This promise can take many forms, but it’s a true honor for dentists that will never be exploited by those who adhere to this code in their profession day after day. Check this out.

When choosing an American Dental Association (ADA) member dental office or general practitioner as your provider of choice on behalf of yourself or someone else within your family unit long term care plans – consider how they not only offer professional support services during times like these but also provide peace knowing all guidelines are being followed with regard to ethical practices and compliance policies related thereto so there is no misinterpretation which could set precedence detrimental towards health goals over time; at least be assured that there are 5 pledges dentists make in the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct and what you can expect at your next appointment:

  1. Respect a Patient’s Wants and Needs
  2. Do No Harm
  3. Do Good
  4. Be Fair
  5. Be Truthful

More important than the academies they belong to, your dentist should be board-certified and have a current registration with their state’s dental board.

What Type of Dental Work Are You Looking For?

This is crucial in your final decision of which dentist to choose.

Your dental health is your greatest concern when it comes to finding a dentist. The answer for how to find the best dentist, therefore, depends on what you feel are your most pressing needs in this area.

The question of “How do I find an excellent doctor?” can be answered by looking at different factors related directly or indirectly with that topic and answering questions such as: What should my priorities be? Do they have any negative reviews? Can their location accommodate me if needed? How much does it cost them per visit ? Is there anything else about them worth considering before making a final decision?”

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do you want mainly regular checkups and cleanings?
  • Have questions about sleep habits, apnea, or teeth grinding (bruxism), etc.?
  • Are you looking for cosmetic work or other aesthetic dental treatments?
  • Is your primary focus on your children’s dental care? 
  • Have you had a history of frequent cavities or more extensive dental procedures, such as dental surgeries or dental implants?
  • If you’re currently in pain, you probably want a dentist who has an open appointment today or tomorrow.

Discover the many specialists in your area for oral and dental needs! For example, a pediatric dentist may be better suited to treat children with orthodontia issues. Here are some other specialist you might consider seeing instead of just visiting general dentists:

  • Pediatric Dentist – if you’re looking for someone who is able to make adjustments on braces or teeth alignment as well as provide preventive care
  • Periodontist – this specialty deals with gum disease which can lead to tooth loss so it’s important that they examine your mouth every six months
  • Orthodontist – deals specifically with treatment of misaligned teeth
  • Prosthodontist – restores and replaces broken or missing teeth
  • Endodontist – perform root canals
  • Periodontist – deal with the gums

Luckily, Dean Street Dental is a general and family dentistry clinic that offers services from each of the above subcategories in dentistry. Get all your dental needs cared for at one office!

Just Make An Appointment!