There are many reasons why you might be on the hunt for a new dentist in your area. Perhaps you’re new to town, have recently changed insurance providers, or simply want to get a second opinion on your dental health. Choosing a local dentist can be daunting – that’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide to help you know what to look for.
There are several factors you should consider when choosing a local dentist:
- Location
- Specialties
- Technology
- Patient reviews
- Insurance and financing
Location
Location is obviously a key factor when choosing a health care provider. You may be willing to go out of your way for a truly outstanding dentist, but in most cases you’ll want to find a clinic that is close to your home, work, or school. Having a short distance between you and your dentist is both more convenient and ensures that you’ll get to your appointments on time. When choosing a dentist, utilize map searches on your favorite maps website to find the proximity of the dentists you’re reviewing. Many insurance providers also offer a dentist search by map within their website tools.
Specialties
You should also consider your potential dentist’s expertise when making your choice. If you anticipate needing a specific dental service in the future (like braces, dental implants, or dentures), try to find a dentist who specializes in that service. Most dentists will display their specialties on their website. You can also find this information in the dentist’s local listing page, or within their profile on your insurance company’s website.
Technology
When it comes to dental procedures, having access to the latest medical technology can greatly affect patients’ comfort and outcomes. If you have a specific procedure in mind, check with your dentist to see what technology tools they have available to complete it. For example, advanced diagnostic tools like i-Cat dental imaging or DIAGNOdent can help your dentist identify problems more effectively than traditional dental exams.
Patient Reviews
Review sites like Yelp and Angie’s List have really changed how we choose local service providers, including dentists. With these sites, it’s easy to find information about other patients’ experiences with a dentist. Before you choose a local dentist, be sure to check out their listings on Yelp, Google, Healthgrades, and other review sites to get a feel for how other people rate your prospective dentist.
Insurance and Financing
Finally, you need to consider how you will pay for your dental treatment. Be sure to look up if your new dentist accepts your insurance coverage. If you do not have dental insurance, some dentists may have financing options available to you. Check your local dentist’s website or call their office to get details.
If you’re looking for a dentist in Vancouver, Washington, we hope you’ll consider Dr. Bowyer. Don’t take our word for it – just check out our dozens of positive patient reviews!