How To Find A Dentist

Here are some criteria you can use to help you find a dentist / dental office that suits you.  These suggestions are by no means complete, and I've found them to be helpful in the process.  Of course you'll want to get recommendations from people whose opinion and judgment you already value.

1. How does the office sound when you call them?  Friendly, cheerful, helpful, interested in your insurance, listen to you, etc.???
2. Are they patient with you asking the following (and any other) questions?
3. Before making an appointment, stop by the office unannounced to see them at work. You should be able to briefly meet the dentist and see the office.
4. Are you greeted when arriving in an office?
5. Does everyone working in the office appear professional in all respects (caring, appearance, attitude, etc.)?  I don't mean wearing a tie or white coat, even casual clothing can appear professional.
6. Can they tell you exactly how they help people feel comfortable?  See more about that here.
7. Do they take a panoramic or full-mouth x-ray on all new clients (law requires us to keep originals, and diagnosing from a copy is difficult)?
8. Does the dentist work well with children (if he/she does, they usually do also with adults)?  It's certainly true that many dentists don't work well with children, and therefore shouldn't.
9. Do they use silver / amalgam fillings (I haven’t used them since 1986)?  Tooth-colored composite fillings offer significant advantages that make the use of silver / amalgam no longer necessary.
10. How do the dentist and employees teeth appear (dental personnel can have the best, so shouldn’t they look great)?
11. How comfortable is the office with checkup intervals different than 6 months (I recommend an interval based on risk and conditions present, anywhere from 1 to 12 months)?
12. Do recommendations seem to be thoughtfully based on your best interests and priorities (preventive, proactive, long-term perspective and solutions)?
13. In any business the owner is responsible for the team, since he/she hired them.  Does the team seem to enjoy their work, the office and each other?  Do they like and respect the dentist?
14. Who does the dentistry for the dental office team members?  You'd think it would be the dentist they work for, but not always.
15. Scaling (the mechanical / "scraping" removal of tartar) in most states is only allowed to be done only by a licensed dentist or dental hygienist - can the office guarantee this?
16. How reachable is the dentist after hours in case of emergency?

These are strategies often employed to maximize profits at your expense (I have never engaged in these practices, nor do I condone them).

1. Does the office ever double-book appointments for HMO/PPO clients, yet not for full fee for service clients?  Double-booking is inconsiderate at the least, but it's a frequent strategy in high volume practices.
2. Are the same materials and laboratories used for all clients?  Often full fee clients receive different attention.
3. Is the same length of time allowed for the same procedures for all types of clients?  Often full fee clients are scheduled more time.
4. Are all times and days available, or are times restricted for this category?  Often only full fee clients can schedule any day/time.
5. Do you have always have your choice of providers (hygienist, dentist)?  Since you are paying for your care you deserve to (even if your insurance covers the cost of a visit, you are paying for your insurance [even if you don't see it as a payroll deduction]).