How do you pick a dentist?

[Ken g6]

I've gone to one dentist most of my life. These days he's far away from me, and getting old. I looked at my insurance and it doesn't seem to be much of an obstacle to getting a dentist near me. So, how would you pick a dentist from among several choices?

I remember many years ago there was something called 1-800-dentist. I have no idea if it's still going, or if it's any good if it is. What do people use these days? Yelp? Also, is it generically better or worse to pick a dental group over a smaller office?

 

[HaxSeeker]

I normally just Google for best available Dentist in the Area and get an appointment

 

[esquared]

I would ask someone you know for a recommendation.
I put my dentist in the same category as my car mechanic.
Find a good one that you trust, who won't try to upsell you on unnecessary work,
and will do good work for a fair price.
Then hold on to them.

 

[highland145]

What e said. They aren't created equal nor are they all "ethical" when it comes to the work you need done. My CSR's dentist wanted to put a crown on one of her 8 year old's teeth.

And avoid Aspen. A member here moved to a new state and tried them, "Oh, you have really good dental insurance" repeated several times. They quoted him $12K worth of work.

 

[TAK3OVR]

I've gone to one dentist most of my life. These days he's far away from me, and getting old. I looked at my insurance and it doesn't seem to be much of an obstacle to getting a dentist near me. So, how would you pick a dentist from among several choices?

I remember many years ago there was something called 1-800-dentist. I have no idea if it's still going, or if it's any good if it is. What do people use these days? Yelp? Also, is it generically better or worse to pick a dental group over a smaller office?

major factors: number of reviews & reviews, ratings, location how the building & office looks, payment policies.

 

[snoopy7548]

My health and dental insurers have websites, and you can sign into your account and view doctors and dentists that are covered, along with ratings and any award-type stuff they've received. I just typed in the first few practices into Google and looked at various reviews, like HealthGrades and other stuff.

Growing up, I went to an independent dentist who only had one hygienist. It was nice because you got to know them and it almost felt like going to see a family member, but at the same time independent dentists aren't as popular as family practices so you don't have a lot of reviews to go by and their equipment/office may be a bit outdated.

Now I go to a family practice with about six dentists and almost twice as many hygienists. Over the years, I've probably been kicked around between five different hygienists and I've just been transferred to a different dentist within the practice. They do great work, but you don't get that personal-sense you'd otherwise get with an independent practice.

The important thing to remember is that you're not locked into any one dentist. You can go, get a checkup/cleaning, and if you don't like them just switch to another until you find one that satisfies you.

 

[IronWing]

How do you pick a dentist?


Use a dental pick!



Location is my main criteria. They need to be near home, near work, or somewhere in between.