How to Find the Best Dentist
Tips to make it easier to find the best dentist, especially when you have significant life moments coming up.
You deserve the best dentistry possible from someone you can trust. Life or job changes may mean moving to a new area and prompting a search for a new dentist. Here’s how to find the perfect fit for your smile and peace of mind!
How to Find the Best Dentist Near Me?
A good selection involves more than finding which dental office is closest to you. The more comfortable you are with a dentist you trust, the more likely you will enjoy the experience and keep your appointments. People also have different personal dental needs, personalities, and expectations, so one particular dentist may not be ideal for everyone.
When researching the best dentist for you and your family, identify your specific needs. Consider whether it’s just for yourself or others in your family. To help narrow your selection process, check out the following tips on finding the perfect dentist.
Tips for Choosing a Good Dentist
- Ask your physician or pharmacist. They may have professional connections and recommendations for dentists in your area. They are already invested in the integrity of the healthcare profession and know your neighborhood.
- Ask family and friends for a recommendation. Sifting through possible dentists based on online reviews and word of mouth is a great way to narrow your search, leaving you to check out the handful of offices with the most potential. While many Find-a-Dentist tools exist, word-of-mouth referrals. Ask family, neighbors, co-workers, and friends for recommendations.
- Check on community forums. Post an inquiry on a community-based platform like Nextdoor, but know what constitutes real praise versus someone venting. Check with your local chamber or a trusted Facebook group for suggestions.
- Conduct an Internet search. An online query search for highly recommended dentists in your area can surface highly respected dentists. Check who makes it easy to see their board certification, professional associations, and if they make patient resources available.
- Check for patient reviews. Read online reviews from real patients to get a sense of a dentist before you make an appointment. Look for reviews on trusted platforms and from people in your area. The Minnesota Board of Dentistry recommends Health Grades as a good resource..
- Request an “initial meeting.” Making an introductory appointment with a few dentists is okay. You can meet the dentist and their staff in person, see the waiting room, and assess the dental office’s atmosphere and culture without having a service during the same visit. A reputable dentist will appreciate your selective interest.
- Keep “Value” in mind versus the lowest-fee dentist. Ask if/how the dentist discloses potential costs. A good dentist knows you’ll want a realistic summary of possible final costs for elective procedures. Excellent dentists focus on the long-term benefits of your dental investments.
- Ask about specific dental procedures you may need. Let them know about an upcoming, preferred service. If you’ve moved from another area, show them you are eager to be helpful by quickly obtaining medical records as requested.
- Are they observant of patient comfort? Do they address patient anxiety and ensure pain management if you fear going to the dentist? A compassionate dentist who takes time to provide extra support can make all the difference. Often, a patient with sensitive teeth is more cautious.
If you’ve compiled a list of names, prepare to meet them, and make your own assessment. An exceptional dentist can distill complex procedures and processes into simple language so the patient can understand what is happening in his or her mouth and any suggested procedures.
Additional Considerations When Choosing Your Dentist
What to consider when seeking to find an ideal dentist for your needs:
1. Convenient location
While finding the best dentist for your family’s needs is more important, a local dentist is helpful. Find their address and use Maps on your phone to learn how long it may take you to reach their dental office. Consider whether you will likely come from work, home, school, or another geo location. A dentist in a convenient location will help you make all your appointments.2. Hours
Check if the dental office is open when you need it. Most people can schedule daytime appointments. However, if you are limited to late afternoon or evening hours, this information should be displayed on the dentist’s website and their Google Business Listing.3. Available Dental Services
Review the services that different dental offices that you are considering offer. If you are raising a family, you’ll want a skilled children’s dentist. Seniors have unique dental needs. If you desire future smile improvements, see if restorative or cosmetic dentistry services are available. The best dental treatment is the one you may be seeking, such as Invisalign treatment. Review their Smile Design Gallery if you need or want to improve your smile. Not all dentists offer the same services; for example, some are dental implant specialists.4. Communication skills
One huge benefit of creating a relationship with a local dentist is having someone to call if you have an immediate concern. Not all dentists are great communicators, even if they are skilled. Do you feel rushed during a consultation? Are you encouraged to share your goals, concerns, and questions? Note how easily you communicate with a new dentist during your initial consultation. The communication style of all medical professionals is important so that you know what is happening. However, your ability to communicate with your dentist and get answers is also a crucial part of a dental appointment. It’s a partnership, so they know how to help you best. Observe body language, business culture, and attitude. Don’t hesitate to get a second opinion if you have reason to be concerned. A dentist who is at ease with you can focus on the services and care you need.5. Artistic skills
This depends on what you need. Smile makeovers are truly a form of art. It requires incredible passion, mastery, and love for learning newer techniques introduced to the dental industry. This makes being a dentist a unique profession. Dentistry is not only based on patient health but also aesthetically focused. A significant percentage of dentistry involves restoring teeth, making beautiful smiles, and ensuring the patient is pleased with their appearance. A reputable dentist keeps improving their office equipment, training, research, and licensure and knows how important a patient’s oral health and smile are.6. Detailed oriented
A dentist’s job is to work in your mouth, a small space with many nerves, neighboring teeth, and your gums and tongue to consider. So, a good dentist is also a detail-oriented person. A hurried dental procedure or a small misalignment of something in the mouth can cause future problems in a patient’s bite and tooth health. An ideal dentist would talk to you with respect and detail about what they observe before and while working on your mouth.7. Leadership skills
Whether a dentist owns the practice or works among a team of practitioners within a practice, they often are natural leaders. They typically lead a team of dental hygienists, technicians, and assistants while managing other employees, such as the receptionist. A great dentist also makes high-level business decisions for the practice. Consider his or her comfort level in managing your oral health. A dentist who is starting out may lack this skill.8. Invested in education
Look for a dentist with a passion for ongoing education. Ongoing advances in dental technology, materials, and techniques are exciting and offer you amazing benefits.Dentists who actively pursue continuing education typically:
- Offer the latest, most effective treatments.
- Provide better results and faster recovery.
- Can handle complex issues and offer more advanced services.
- Demonstrate their commitment to providing the best care for you.
What Questions to Ask When Looking for a Dentist?
Focus on your core concerns. The best advice is to ask what comes naturally to you. Ask questions that help you decide the best dentist for your needs. Knowing what matters most to you helps streamline your questions. Below are some suggestions to select from.
- Are you accepting new patients?
- Where are your areas of expertise beyond general dentistry?
- How long have you been practicing?
- What is your favorite part of practicing?
- How do you follow up and communicate with your patients?
- Do you and your staff continue your education?
- Do you rely on digital X-rays? Do you use modern dental technology?
- Do you have a referral network if my care requires a team of specialists?
- What is your philosophy of care, and how would you approach this ___ specific dental need?
- What are your payment terms and plans?
What are the Relational Qualities of an Ideal Dentist?
Choosing a dentist often depends on your comfort level in the professional relationship. Clear communication between you and the dentist will give your mouth the best chance of staying healthy. Because of how detail-oriented your dental care deserves, it requires someone who is composed, calm, observant, and consistently produces good results.
An ideal dentist endeavors to learn about patients’ expectations and what makes them feel more comfortable. They know how to put their patients at ease and help them understand their mouths’ situation and cosmetic options. They also build patient awareness about how oral health ipacts their overall health.
You’ll be thankful for your research once you’ve found the most reputable dentist near you for the cosmetic dental procedures you want.
How to check for a Minnesota Dentist’s License and Reputation Status?
Minnesota Board of Dentistry Website
- Navigate to the Minnesota Board of Dentistry website.
- Select either the “Licensee Search” or “Verify a License” section.
- Search for the dentist by their name or license number.
- The dentist’s profile will include the person’s current license status and any public actions.
Quality dental care that meets your needs
A good dentist can relate to the person in the dental chair. They will note if your feet shake anxiously, your jaw is tense, or you are praying quietly with folded hands, asking God for help to endure the pain that could be coming. If you need assurance, request copies of findings or an services brochure to review easily or with a partner.
Remember, finding the right dentist is an investment in your health. Take your time, ask questions, and choose a dentist who makes you feel comfortable and confident in their care. If you have any other questions about how to evaluate a good dentist, let us know.
