In the age of Google, with so much information at our fingertips, making any decision is tough — especially when it comes to choosing healthcare providers. How do you sift through those search results to figure out which dentist is right for you? We’ve got a few suggestions to help you get started
- Know your coverage
Check to see if your dental plan is HMO or PPO. It’ll make a difference in you copay, and the type of plan you have will determine which dentists you can choose from.
- Ask about costs
The cost of dental procedures varies from practice to practice. Before you make an appointment, ask what they charge for typical procedures, like fillings or teeth whitening. If you’re concerned about paying for a specific procedure such as veneers, implants or crowns, ask if they offer payment plans.
- Consider your lifestyle
Is the office convenient for you to get to from home or work? Do they have hours that work with your schedule? If the answer to either of those questions is no, you may want to consider a different dental practice. If it’s a pain for you to go to the dentist regularly, you probably won’t do it.
- Think about what procedures you’ll need
Make sure the practice offers the procedures you’ll need, and ask about his/her training and experience performing them. A lot of people have anxiety about going to the dentist, so this is a good way to remind yourself that you’re in good hands. (See our post on 5 ways to cope with dental anxiety)
- Ask about emergencies
Find out how your dentist handles after-hours emergencies. A good dentist will be accessible to you, whether through an emergency answering service or pager, even when the office is closed.
- Get recommendations
At the end of the day, there’s nothing better than a recommendation from someone you trust. Ask your friends or, even better, your co-workers, who are likely to have the same dental insurance as you, if they have a dentist they like.
At DeJesus Dental, we offer two locations in Fairfield County, CT. Our Bridgeport office is on the Trumbull border and is open Monday – Friday. We have office hours on Saturday quite often for patients who request their appointments in advance. Our Shelton office is open Monday and Thursday’s. Both offices have leading edge dental technology with dentists and staff that care about your oral health.
