You only get one set of permanent teeth for the rest of their life. We’re not as lucky as sharks and alligators that regenerate new choppers throughout their lives.
Oral hygiene is the first line of defense against dental complications. However, that alone is not enough. You need to check with the dentist once in a while. According to the American Dental Association, 58% of Americans visit their dentist just once a year. The truth is that there is no magic number of times you go for a checkup, but frequency is always going to play a role. Typical recommendations call for a checkup every 6 months.
To make it easier to keep up with frequent dental appointments, it’s important to find the best dentist near you. Keep reading to find advice on how to find a dentist in your area.
Recommendations from Family and Friends
The easiest way to find the right dentist near you is to ask for recommendations from people around you. It would be best if you asked the ones you trust and not some random strangers. It can be a family member, a colleague, or a friend. Word of mouth is one of the most excellent marketing tools. Since dentistry is a wide practice, it is better to ask a person who had a similar problem as yours. You can ask about the quality of service, customer care, cost, and any reservations they might have. If the person had extensive work done, you could even ask to see. If you like what you hear and see, ask for contacts, and book an appointment.
Get Referrals from a Physician or Pharmacist
Medical professionals within an area tend to know each other. The first place to begin your search is at your family doctor. They will refer you to different dentists specializing in different areas. You can even ask them for their preferred dentist. Your next hub of information on dentists near you is at the local pharmacy. These professionals deal with all aspects of medication from all kinds of physicians, including the dentist. If you plan to move to a new place, you can ask your old dentist to recommend you to another dentist closer to your new home.
Search Through Your Local Dentist Database
In addition to the education requirements, dentists are required to be members of professional associations. Searching through a local dentist society database is another great way to find a dentist near you. These local bodies usually have a full list of all their members in the area. Members of local societies take an oath and agree to uphold certain standards. A good example is the American Board of Dental Specialties. Visiting a dentist on the list protects you since you can report any malpractice. Once you land on a few suitable candidates, don’t hesitate to call or visit their offices. You can compare and decide on the best one.
Use Dedicated Websites
You can virtually find just about anything online these days, and the dentist is no exception. There are numerous reliable dentist review websites worth checking out. A good example is the Find-a Dentist tool from the American Dentist Association. All you have to do is type in your ZIP code, location, distance, and specialty. The search returns all the registered dentists near you. Another website worth checking out is Opencare. The site only asks for an address and does the rest. If you look into the right places, you can find several other similar websites.
Use Your Dental Insurance Network
An insurance network should be the last resort when searching for a dentist. However, it can provide you with valuable information. When seeking dental cover, certain plans limit you to a particular dentist near you and within the network. Insurance uses these networks for a certain reason. Either the pricing is affordable, or the quality of service is reliable. Follow up on these options by calling or checking out their websites for more information. If you do this for three or more dentists, you can find some great options.
