How to Find Background Information on Dentist in Florida

Medical research has shown the importance of good dental health. Infections of the teeth and gums are a risk factor in heart disease and untreated dental abscesses can kill. Because dental health literally can be a matter of life and death, choosing a dentist is one of the most important decisions you will ever make in your life. Unfortunately, most people don't do their research before choosing a dentist and simply assume that someone with a license must be good enough. However, determining the qualifications of your Florida dentist takes only a few minutes on the computer and can save your life.

Instructions

• 1

  Verify that the dentist has a valid license to practice dentistry in Florida. The Florida Department of Health hosts a website that allows you to verify the license of any medical practitioner, including dentists, in the state. This site will give you the dentist's license number and indicate whether disciplinary action has ever been taken against him or her or whether there have been public complaints.

• 2

  Call the dentist's office and ask what dental insurance is accepted. Most insurance companies have websites listing the medical professionals who accept their insurance. These websites will give general information such as when the dentist graduated and whether the dentist's credentials are for general dentistry or a specialty. Often, the sites will tell you which languages spoken at the dental office.

• 3

  Contact the Better Business Bureau in your area. While the BBB can't give you information about the dentist's medical qualifications, a long history of complaints can give you an indication of the dentist's business practices.

• 4

  Read the dentist's website if there is one. In it, the dentist will explain his or her philosophy of patient care and what procedures are regularly performed. Through it, you may get an idea of whether you will feel comfortable with the dentist.

• 5

  Ask people who have lived in the area for a long time for recommendations. They may be able to tell you whether the dentist is careful to keep his or her patients comfortable and whether the dentist is easy to work with. Be careful to determine if the person has any motive in offering the recommendation. Make sure the person offering the recommendation actually uses this dentist and is not simply a fraternity brother.