How to Evaluate a Dentist

Although picking the dentist located at the corner of your street is convenient, your teeth may thank you to do a little more research. Dental work can be confusing, expensive and painful. When a procedure goes wrong, poor dental work can be hard to hide. This is why finding a dentist that you trust and that performs the job well is very important. Picking a name out of a phone book may be time efficient, but taking the time to evaluate prospective dentists will benefit you and your family for years to come.

Instructions

Find a New Dentist

• 1

  Review current advertisements. A dentist's advertisements are a great source to examine when evaluating a dentist. Dentists design ads that reflect the style of their office. Office hours, the types of insurance accepted and some office procedures are typically listed in advertisements.

• 2

  Talk to those around you about local dentists.

  Talk to your sphere of influence. Use the people around you to your advantage by asking them about dentists in the area. Get the inside scoop on a dentist from family and friends. Inquire as to how long the dentist has been in practice. Call the Better Business Bureau and check for client complaints. Finally, ask your sphere of influence about completed work. Find out if anyone felt as if the dentist performed unnecessary work.

• 3

  Check with your insurance company. Many insurance companies provide lists of local dentists on their websites. Since insurance companies only want to work with ethical and sound dentists, reviewing this list may offer additional insights.

Assess Your Current Dentist

• 4

  A dentist should make you feel comfortable about each procedure.

  Think about past visits. A dentist's job is not only to perform a service on your teeth, but to also make you feel comfortable about their work. If your current dentist did not take the time to answer your questions or make you feel comfortable in the chair, you may want to look around. Keeping a patient waiting for longer than 15 minutes or rushing between more than one patient at a time should bring up a red flag. These could be signs of a disorganized office, or a dentist that cares about profit more than patients.

• 5

  Compare the prices and procedures with other local offices.

  Compare. Take the time to compare your current dentist's practices and procedures with other local offices. Call a competitive dentist and ask what they charge for basic procedures. Ask the office manager to review any financial plans they offer their patients. Remember that dentistry is a business. Not every dentist is going to charge the same prices, so doing a little research could save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. You may also find a closer dentist that offers more convenient office hours or policies.

• 6

  Ask questions and air concerns. Before taking the time to switch dentists, ask your current dentist about some concerns you might be harboring. Don't be intimated to voice your apprehension or confusion. Part of your dentist's job is to perfect their bedside manner. Dentists need to make sure you are comfortable with the procedure plan and that all your questions have been addressed. If you've had some concerns about a prior visit ask your dentist or call and talk to the office manager. If the problem is consistent, it may be time to find a new dentist. However, if you are generally pleased with your current dental office, call and talk to a staff member about your issue. More often than not they will be happy to resolve the problem and take action to fix it.