When moving to a new area, you must take the task of locating a general dentist seriously. Oral health for yourself and your family should never take a back seat. While the process can often seem difficult when you first begin, there are some proven strategies that you can take with you that will help to locate a local dentist office that is the best fit for your needs.
Resources You Already Have
Before making the move, it is wise to ask your current general dentist for any recommendations that they can make concerning a local dentist office in the area you will be living. Additionally, reach out to friends, family, and coworkers who may also have connections or leads that you can explore once you arrive. The American Dental Association (ADA) has resources that you can use to aid you in your search for a reliable and expert dentist as well. They maintain records of state and local dentist societies on their web site that are accessible to the general public.
The Right Questions
Once you have a few candidates in mind, look into their services and the people who will be helping you along when it comes to your oral health. Ensure that the staff is friendly and helpful when it comes to any questions or concerns that you may have concerning their services and dental exams. Look for cleanliness, professionalism, and other marks of quality that allow you to know you will be getting the best possible care from your general dentist.
The Practical Concerns
You should also think about how your new dentist office will fit into your daily life once you are settled in the new area. Make sure that their office works with the current dental health plan that covers yourself or your family. You should also think about the location of the office and the hours of operation so that you know you will be able to make it from school or work when you schedule your dental exams. Additionally, you should investigate their policy on missed appointments for when life’s little surprises occur on a day that you have a scheduled appointment.
Finally, check out the individual services that they offer on top of the pricing for each service. It is not a bad idea to do a little price comparison as well when it comes to common procedures such as filling cavities, annual cleanings, dental exams, and x-rays.