How to Pick the Best Dentist For You: 3 Helpful Tips
Happy July, everyone! Let’s not dwell on the fact that summer is *gasp* almost half-way over. Maybe you moved into The Woodlands or Spring communities this summer. Maybe your kids are starting school for the first time or starting at a new school next month. Maybe you’ve had your first little one and life is changing at a rapid pace.
If any of these statements are true about you then you may be looking for a new dental practice for yourself or your family. If that’s you, then we want to help you by offering a few tips on how to pick the best dentist for you.
Tip #1: Consider your own needs and expectations.
Choosing a new dental practice can be one of those things you put off because it seems like there are so many options and it’s hard to know how to pick the right one the first time around. No one wants to try out dentist after dentist until finding the right one. To try to narrow the playing field a little bit, here are some questions you can ask yourself about what matters most to you in picking the best dentist.
What do YOU think makes a good dentist office for your family? What is most important to you? Some of the following items are matters of importance when choosing a dentist, so take a look and decide what is the highest priority for you:
Location - Does the dentist need to be close to your home? Or are you willing to drive a little bit? If so, how far is too far?
Office Hours - Do you have a unique schedule that requires evening or weekend appointments?
Insurance - Does the dentist take your dental insurance? If you don’t have dental insurance, does the dentist offer discounts for cash-pay patients or an in-house payment plan?
Special Needs - Do you or anyone in your family have special needs that you would like your dentist to accommodate? If you share your special needs with the office staff over the phone or email, was the staff courteous and honest with you?
Longevity & Relationship - Are you looking for a dentist office that you are hoping will care for your children through their high school years? Is it a priority to you to have the same dentist at every visit for years to come? If so, you may want to consider the age of the dentist or the number of providers at a dental office.
Tip #2: Ask the right questions.
Once you find a few dentists that seem to fit your needs and priorities, you still want to ask some follow-up questions - or at least browse their website thoroughly to see if you can find the information that will help you determine if their office is the best fit for you.
How do they approach preventative dentistry?
What options do they make available for dental emergencies and after-hours care?
If you have pre-existing conditions or concerns, do they have the experience and technology necessary to provide you with the best possible dental care?
Do the dentists refer to other providers for specific procedures or provide comprehensive care within their own office?
How often do the dentists attend conferences and continuing education workshops?
What type of anesthesia is available?
Tip #3: Check reviews and get recommendations.
And last but not least, what is one of the best ways to determine if a dentist is the best fit for you? Check reviews and get personal recommendations. If you’ve recently moved, ask your previous dentist or hygienist if they know of any dentists in your new neighborhood that they might recommend for your care. Check the dental office’s Google reviews and social media to see what their patients and community have to say about their practice. Ask your friends, neighbors or co-workers.
At WoodSprings Dentistry, our dentists, Drs. Samantha and James Tejada, are always accepting new patients. If you are looking for a dentist in The Woodlands or Spring area, we welcome you to call our office, browse our website (here’s a list of our general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry services) or even stop by for a quick visit in order to determine if our dental office might be the best fit for you. Request an appointment online or get basic questions answered quickly via our web chat (you’ll actually be talking to our front desk staff - no bots here!).
And for the month of July, Drs. Tejada and Tejada are offering NO-COST 2nd opinions (excluding necessary x-rays) so that you can have confidence and a thorough evaluation before you pay for major dental services.
Questions? Give us a call. We love serving The Woodlands and Spring communities and look forward to meeting you!