No More Fear of the Dentist!

By: WhoDoYou Staff

No More Fear of the Dentist! Top 10 Tips to Choosing the Right Dentist for You and Your Family

Fear of the dentist is something many people never outgrow, even as adults. For that reason, it’s very important to find a dentist who you trust and with whom you feel comfortable.

The ADA recommends visiting the dentist at least once every six months to get a cleaning and fluoride treatment from the oral hygienist plus basic x-rays and a check-up from the dentist.

Below are 10 tips to choosing the right dentist for you and your family:

1. Insurance – Dentist visits can rack up costs especially with young children losing teeth and possibly needing braces. You want to choose a dentist that accepts your dental insurance to help defray the costs. Most insurance companies will keep an active list of doctors that accept their insurance on their website. Make sure to verify when making your appointment that the dentist does in fact take your insurance. Just note that frequently, dental insurance and health insurance are separate programs. So make sure to check your DENTAL coverage!
2. Location – Now that you’ve narrowed your search down to dentists covered by your insurance, you will be interested in finding a dentist that is near your home or work. No one wants to drive over an hour to a doctor’s appointment if they don’t have to. A good place to get this information is using your insurance website’s directory. Compare addresses to a map to see which dentist office has the best location for you. Google Maps and other online lists also offer a map based view. If the dentist is just for you, frequently a location near your office is preferably, allowing you appointments later in the morning, earlier in the evening, or even during lunchtime. But if you’re looking for the whole family, better stay near the home (or even near school).
3. Specialty – Different dentists will have different specialties. If you have young children, you’re going to want a pediatric dentist who knows how to work with kids and has toys in the waiting room. If your wisdom teeth are a problem, you’ll want a dentist that works with or can refer an oral surgeon. If you are considering braces, you’ll need a dentist that works closely with an orthodontist. Most dentists have their specialty listed on their site or where their details are listed.
4. Recommendation – Ask friends for recommendations. Did their kid have a cavity that needed filling? Did their husband need a crown replaced? Using WhoDoYou, you can find other trusted sources through your social media contacts, maybe an acquaintance you haven’t spoken to in a while or a public thread, that have used Facebook to recommend dentists.
5. Appearance – Make a list of several potential dentists. Take five minutes out of your day to drive by their office and see what the place looks like even if it’s just from the outside. Does the office building look clean and well-kept? Is there ample parking? Do you see yourself coming here and feeling comfortable? In my experience, any dentist office that also has a neon sign advertising massage in the window is not a dentist I would trust to poke around in my mouth!
6. Hours – Once you’ve settled on a potential dentist, call the office to check their hours. If you go in to work early, you will want an office that opens before you have to be at work to allow you the flexibility of coming before you start your day. Or if you work late, you will want a dentist who’s also working late. Some dentists work Saturdays or they are on call for emergencies. Decide what factors are important to you for your dentist to have and ask about them when calling the office. Note that the days of M-F, 9-5 are over. Many dentists will have 1 day a week with early and/or late hours.
7. Availability – Also check appointment availability when calling the office. Is the next appointment not for three weeks? What if you are having a toothache now? Sometimes, it’s necessary to choose a recommended dentist by availability even if their office is a bit of a drive.
8. Comfort – When arriving for your appointment, does the office staff sign you in immediately or are they busy with other items before handling your appointment? Once signed in, how long are you left waiting before the dentist is ready for you? Are there magazines or a TV in the waiting room? All these items seem miniscule but when you may be stuck waiting for 45 minutes staring at a fish tank in the waiting room can get boring pretty quickly.
9. Bedside Manner – How does the dentist and the dental hygienists treat you? Are they polite and funny? Or are they curt and impatient? You may have tough skin but gums bleed easy! It will make for a much less enjoyable experience if the dentist seems rushed and distracted.
10. Second Opinion – Don’t be afraid to switch dentists if you weren’t happy with your initial experience or to make an appointment with another dentist for a second opinion. We like to think the best of people but dentistry is a lot like mechanics, without specialized knowledge the average person has no idea what’s going on! A friend of mine had one dentist tell her she had 10 cavities that needed filling and when she went for a second opinion, the other doctor said she had zero cavities! Be careful of scams! That’s why it’s important to ask for recommendations and do your research.

And don’t forget your free toothbrush at the end! Most dentists will give you a complimentary toothbrush and toothpaste. Dentists that specialize in working with children will often have stickers and small toys on hand to give away. Don’t be shy about sharing your experience with office staff and online at WhoDoYou.com and don’t forget to book your next appointment in 6 months!