Choosing a Dentist – Five Factors to Consider
Are you searching for the perfect dentist near you?
We get it – there are a lot of options, so choosing a dentist can seem like a daunting task.
But fortunately, it doesn’t have to be, as long as you set some criteria and know what you’re looking for in a dentist.
People go to the dentist less often than they should for many reasons. For some, it might be dental anxiety or financial reasons; for others, it could be as simple as a question of convenience.
Finding a dentist that overcomes all of these issues can make a permanent difference for your oral health.
With this in mind, here are five factors to consider when choosing your dentist.
1. Location convenience
This factor is simple yet often overlooked.
The location of your future dentist will make your life either more convenient or complicated.
Whether close to home or work, avoiding traffic to and from your dentist can make it easier to fit appointments into your schedule (especially if you have kids who’ll need to visit too).
That way, your commute won’t be a barrier each time you or a family member has an appointment scheduled.
2. Hours and flexibility
Extended hours can make all the difference.
Trying to fit a dental appointment into your working day can often be very inconvenient, and another factor to consider is office hours.
Do the hours offer flexibility, like early morning or late evening appointments?
3. Insurance and finances
Of course, a major consideration when choosing a dentist is your finances. When looking for a dentist, check if they accept your dental insurance (if you have any).
If you don’t have insurance, you should ask about payment or membership plans they may have.
For example, our offices in Cary, Garner, and Fuquay-Varina offer an array of options to help you afford treatment.
When comparing dental fees for potential dentists, you can call ahead to ask for price estimates for standard procedures, such as general oral exams or X-rays.
We offer a variety of membership plans to help you get the dental care you need, even without insurance.
4. Available services
Does your dentist offer emergency care? What about after hours?
If you have children, do they also provide pediatric dental services?
It’s always easier to find a dentist who can care for your entire family rather than splitting your attention (and medical info) across multiple practices.
5. Comfort and overall impressions
Another factor to consider is how comfortable you are with your dentist and their dental practice.
Is the staff polite and friendly when you call them to make an appointment?
What makes them different from other dentists?
When you go to the dental office, is the office clean and comfortable? How does the staff greet you?
When you talk to your dentist, do you feel like they listen to your concerns and answer your questions?
Many people feel that dental appointments can be an uncomfortable, stressful experience, so it’s important to find a practice that can change that for the better.
Our takeaway
Finding the right dentist for you and your family can be tricky. However, by following these guidelines, you can feel confident that you’re making the best possible choice for your oral health.
To learn more about how we can help, call us today!
We have three locations: Cary, Garner, and Fuquay-Varina. We also serve Morrisville, Apex, Durham, Holly Springs, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Holly Springs, Wendell, Raleigh, Angier, and Buies Creek.
