Choosing a dentist is a decision that can impact your long-term oral health. That’s why it is crucial to choose the right one. But sometimes all the choices can be daunting, especially if you have children, because you likely feel even more pressure to find the perfect dentist. Here at Yodle, we have quite a few dental experts right at our fingertips, and from their advice, we have culled the most important factors to keep in mind when choosing a dentist. Here is what you should consider:
Education and Training. “One thing that is especially important is to make sure that the dentist has been active in continuing education. Is he a member of his local societies and part of the profession as a whole? Has he spent enough time in practice to know what he is doing, and to establish a good reputation?” – Dr. Mark Warner, Mark Warner DDS General Dentistry (Fairfield, CA)
Office Staff. “A good dentist is one who wants to [have] a helpful, friendly, supportive and caring staff. For example, our office manager, Kay, worked for my dad before me, who also was a dentist, and she has been working in the practice for 31 years. She helps set the tone for our dental practice v one that is caring, friendly, and experienced on top of everything else.” – Dr. Mark Warner
Word of Mouth. “[Check] with friends, family members, or acquaintances who live in their new area for the best chances of finding a good dentist. In my experience, just running your finger down the Yellow Page advertisements may or may not lead you to finding a good dentist. But usually asking someone else will give you a good idea of where to go. People like to tell you when they like their dentist, so usually that is a really good place to start.” – Dr. Isabelle Farmer, Houston SmileDocs (Houston, TX)
Satisfaction Guaranteed. “By law, healthcare providers, including dentists, cannot guarantee results. But, for example, an office that offers the following warranty: ‘We’ll replace any treatment that we do that fails or apply any investment you made to additional treatment if necessary’ shows you that they’re putting their money where their mouth is. That’s how we stand behind our treatment at our practice.” – Dr. Mark Hodge, Berkshire Dental Group (Broken Arrow, OK)
Free Consultations. “A dentist shouldn’t expect a patient to choose him without visiting the office first. I provide a free, no-obligation consultation to determine if I can help you and answer any questions. No one in my office will pressure you into care. This is simply a chance for you to meet us, and see if you can benefit from our services. If after your free consultation you decide you don’t want to proceed with an exam, you simply leave. If you do find that you could use our help, we will be glad to discuss the details with you.” – Dr. Mark Hodge
So don’t be afraid to ask for references, tour a dental office, or take advantage of a free consultation before committing to a dental practice. What you know can only benefit you!
This article has been compiled by the Yodle Dental Marketing (www.yodledentalmarketing.com) division of Yodle, a leading provider of local Internet marketing devoted to helping dentists and dental practices with marketing initiatives by providing tools and information through its website.
