How To Find A Good Dentist

Factor 1: Does this provider belong to your dental insurance network?

US readers: Consider dental insurance when selecting a dentist. This is especially true for preventative care like cleanings. Because it is not the same as medical health insurance and can be confusing, below I outline some ways you might understand when working with a new dentist practice.

Your doctor should be able to provide you with a list listing local dentists if this questions is not answered. The list can usually be found through your employer or on the site of your health insurance. The list can serve as a starting point in the search for the perfect dentist for you and your loved ones.

No dental insurance? There’s no need to worry! This article will show you how to maintain dental care without dental insurance. (It’s not as hard as you might think.) Below are some of the great questions I was asked regarding finding a dentist to join your insurance plan.

1. What happens if my current dentist is not available in my network, and I still feel happy with them?

Continue to go to the dentist that you love.

This is why it’s the most popular choice. It’s also important to note that prices for dental services are not set in stone like those charged for medical care.

To be included in the network, providers must sign a contract agreeing to receive less compensation than they might hope. Many providers will find the fee worthwhile and not too high. If you are not part of the network, however, you may technically be able to charge any amount you wish.

In this order, here are the options I recommend:

The insurance company may be willing to cover the cost of your dental insurance. If they aren’t, write them off the difference. The downside to this is that you could eat up the cap on your dental insurance benefits for the year, which isn’t great if you have major work needed.

For every billing code, ask for an “innetwork fee schedule”. This schedule will normalize the codes and show how much each company agrees to pay. Most offices are willing to accept this, and it means you’ll pay similar prices with your existing dentist as you would by switching to an in-network provider.

Factor 2: Is it a good idea to choose a dentist who is a member of the Ada?

Many insurance plans offer additional resources, such as websites and web sites. Many insurance companies and other resources (websites, etc.) will only recommend that you see a registered or approved dentist with the American Dental Association. It is possible to look for other dentists.

I, for example, am a member of AADSM (American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine). Check out my bio to see the entire list. Although I’m not an ADA registered dentist, I trust their advice on fluoride fillings. The AADSM and similar associations have fully trained Doctors of Dentistry. This association focuses much attention, research and training in the area of dental sleep medicine, including sleeping disorders and dental appliances that can be utilized to treat and reverse sleep disorders.

It’s okay to feel more at ease with an ADA-registered dental professional. Other organizations that a good dentist might belong to include:

Academy of General Dentistry American Academy for Oral Systemic Health

Keep in mind: All of these academies are “pay-to-play.” A dentist selects the ones that line up best with his or her approach to dentistry, but any board-certified dentist can pay for membership. Every dentist is required to adhere to the code of conduct of each academy. However, they are not actively monitored by the academy or association. They have to maintain their ongoing education with the academy.

It is important that your dentist be certified by the board and current registered with the appropriate state dental board.

Should you pick a dentist that is a member or not of the ADA? Not necessarily. If you know you struggle with bruxism or sleep apnea, it might make a good idea to partner with a dentist from one of the dental sleep medicine academies. AAOSH dentists may be more suitable if you are concerned about how your dental problems could impact your overall health.

You don’t reside in the US. For your specific needs, organizations like the British Dental Association Canadian Dental Association Australian Dental Association might be able help.

Factor #4: What Type Of Dental Work Are You Looking For?

This will help you make the right decision about which dentist to use. How to choose a dentist who is right for you depends on your most pressing dental concerns.

What about regular cleanings or checkups? You have many choices. You want to feel at ease with your dentist and the staff in an environment that is professional but friendly.

Have questions about sleep habits, apnea, or teeth grinding (bruxism), etc.? Sleep medicine dentists are likely to be the most suitable for you. You’ll need to look specifically in sleep dentistry associations.

Looking for cosmetic or aesthetic work done on your teeth? You should look for specialists who are skilled in cosmetic dentistry and have plenty of testimonials.

What is your main focus when it comes to your kids’ dental care? A pediatric dentist is trained in the same way as any other dentist. But, because they work with children and their families, it’s easier for them to provide care. Dependent on your dentist, there may be other offices which focus more on family dentistry.

Take your child/children along with you to help find the right office. You will get the best impression by taking your child with you. This article will help you choose the right dentist for your child. Do you have a history with frequent dental problems or other more complex procedures such as implants or surgery? One common practice is that of a dentist who also performs root canals. You may find a referral program that is great with your local endodontist.

Presently in pain? You will need to see a dentist that is available now or tomorrow. You are not ready to commit to a long-term dental practice but you still need immediate relief. Consider attending a local dental school. Because students must be able to handle emergency situations, schools will often offer treatment immediately.

For your dental and other oral health needs, there are many options. And unlike dental insurance which requires referrals for these services, dental insurance generally doesn’t need to be referred. You might want to consult a specialist for specific issues.

Orthodontists focus on the correction of misaligned smiles.

The specialty of a periodontist is to treat and prevent gum disease. Partnering with a periodontist can be a great idea if you are suffering from gum disease.

3. You can read some reviews online about the dentist

It doesn’t matter if you have personal recommendations. Make sure to review the online reviews of your dentist. Follow this strategy to get the most from those reviews.

Multiple sites: You may want to look at different review sites in order to have a more balanced view. Yelp. Google. Facebook. ZocDoc. If you did a map search in tip #2 above, you’ll often see reviews right there in the map. You can start there but it is important to look at other reviews as well.

Multiple reviews are better. It is best to find a dentist that has at least 10 positive reviews. It will help you to know that the reviews you find are representative of the practice.

The common themes: Beyond star ratings, the thing you want to see in the reviews is an overall sense of the opinions of the patients. After looking through four to five customer reviews, you’ll be able to gauge what the patients think about the practice. Is it the type of experience that you desire? Or are there other options available.

You will never please everyone, just as with everything in life. You can’t please everyone. However, if most reviews praise the staff for their kindness and attention to patients, what do you believe is the true truth?

If you look at dozens of customer reviews, and none are positive, it’s likely that there is something wrong. The average dentist rating is nearly five stars.

Q: Is It Possible To Find An Honest Dentist?

Short answer: Yes. However, it will take some effort.

Long Answer My patients often ask me advice on how to find an honest dentist when they move out of the region. Dentistry is one of those industries that can harbor unscrupulous practitioners and doesn’t always have the best reputation in that regard. It is because most dentists are either solo practitioners or work with partners in small clinics with minimal oversight.

Imagine going to work each day, and knowing nothing about your job. The only thing they could see was whether your were at work, or not. They also checked to ensure you weren’t harming the company. You were generally paid well whether you did a good job or not. You could also tell your boss today that there was more work than usual, even though the majority of it is new work. Not only would you still get away with doing a crummy job, but your boss would also give you a raise for supposedly doing more!

This is where most private, small clinic dental offices find their way. The patient only knows if it hurts or not, if it costs a lot or not and if it looks good or not. The patient cannot measure anything beyond that. However, what about the behind-the scenes stuff? Were good materials and labs used? What will the results be? What other alternatives were available that are better or less costly? Is there any need to do the initial work? Ethics are key. Below are some guidelines to finding an ethical and trustworthy dentist. You are welcome to comment with your suggestions and ideas. Be aware that this forum is only applicable to USA-based physicians and patients. International dentistry is not an area I have a lot of experience with (with very few exceptions).

DENTISTS TO AVOID

Do not be lured by over-marketed dental professionals – You may have noticed ads in the area for a dentist. If you see ads for dental offices all over town, it could be an indication that someone is “hungry” (see next). The office who advertises heavily may spend more money marketing than it does on patient retention, satisfaction and customer service. While I had to market my own practice when it opened, the scope of that marketing was limited and time-consuming. As soon as people started coming to my office, I built a good reputation. Word-of-mouth became a major factor. In order to have a constant flow of patients, marketing would be necessary if I didn’t do a good job. You should feel your Spidey-senses tingling when you see a strong marketing presence for an office. Advertising can be very costly, so it is hard to get back your investment. If ads are able to get someone to book an appointment, it is a lot more pressure to maximize the profit. Finally, be weary of big “one-time” promotions, coupons and special deals just to get you in the door.

Avoid Hungry Dentists. These are dentists who are desperate to get more work. There are dentists that are generally “hungrier”, like new graduates with very high debt, dentists having financial problems, dentists that are seeing a steady decline in new patients, etc.. Not to say all the latter are dishonest, but a desperate dentist is not your friend and it’s not always possible to explain how to spot one. You might be tempted to accept treatment if the dentist insists on it. You can see a hungry Lion from a mile away. There are many other options. It is not different from other methods, and I wouldn’t recommend them both. Trust your gut instincts when in doubt.

Avoid offices that “waive you deductible and copay”. If you have dental insurance, there is likely to be a copayment or deductible for specific procedures. You may be more likely to agree with their unreliable recommendations if you waive the co-pay. Who cares if it costs you nothing? Wrong! You are wrong. Even if you feel you require the procedure, the dentist will usually have a contract with you. This dictates what the dentist can charge you and the co-pay you must pay. Because they are aware that a lower co-pay will be paid, the insurance company requires it. It ultimately impacts your insurance premiums. When a dentist does not charge a co-pay, it can make the care costlier for all. He could also be violating the terms of his insurance contract. Bottom line: do you think a dentist that is unethical when dealing with the insurance company is suddenly going to be ethical when dealing with you? Remember the expression “Once a cheater always a cheer?”

Avoid Offices that Get New Patients through the Insurance Company. If you have dental insurance they will give you a list to choose from. They really, REALLY want you to go to one of them. They have an agreement with dentists who are on the list. This contract dictates the amount the dentist may charge, as well as other terms and conditions that they most control. Patients referred to dentists by their insurance companies are often not a priority for them. Because they keep getting new patients, it doesn’t mean that all of their patients need to be happy. In most cases, these insurance companies pay lower fees for dental procedures. These lower fees are accepted by the dentist in return for new patients from their insurance. In order to avoid having to accept these low fees, dentists may suggest that you pay more for treatment which is not normally covered by insurance. You can find a dentist yourself, and not need to use insurance.

Keep an eye out for Up-Selling. For many insurance companies, dentists “in-network” make the bulk of their earnings by upselling. If you’ve not had a dental cleaning for a while, but have no gum problems, this could be an indication that your treatment is working. A shady dentist might tell you that a “deep cleaning”, even though a standard cleaning would suffice. CLICK HERE for a detailed explanation. Your dentist may recommend a crown for your tooth. But, if you require it to be free of metals or made with special materials not typically covered by your policy, it is likely that you will have to pay extra. There is a slight stain on your biting surface of some back teeth. Your dentist recommends fillings even though you could monitor the situation for the moment. CLICK HERE to find out if you actually need them. These examples are an example of upselling. It is a good idea to ask questions about the personality of potential dentists before you make your first visit (see #3). Do you feel comfortable looking at my tiny back tooth to determine whether it needs any treatment? If I do need a crown will I be able to have it whitened or would I have pay more? If you haven’t seen your dentist in awhile, ask if they think it would be better for me to get a deeper cleaning than if I did a basic cleaning. (you are asking this before they have even looked in your mouth)”. There is no one right answer to these, but the answers you do get should give you great insight into how the dentist and the practice operate. Was the dentist able to answer your questions in a thoughtful and reasonable manner? A honest dentist will be easier to spot than a dishonest one.

.How To Find A Good Dentist

Angel Care Dental

Surrey Tooth Restoration

Customer Reviews

Read customer feedback for Angel Care Dental

I have been going to this place for the last 5 years. I have had many problems. They took care of them. The customer service, care, guidance and treatment I have got have been always extraordinary. Everyone is professional and dedicated to deliver the best. I am sorry, I don’t remember all the names of the wonderful staff. Some of the names of the wonderful team members I remember I would like to mention like : Dr. Bains, Alex, Anna and Rupa. A big thank you for all the years for the amazing service🙏 Keep up the great work. You all are amazing! – RIGHT PATH LEARNING
I have been going to Angel Care Dental since I was a young child… so quite a while 😉 and I wouldn’t go anywhere else. The facility is beautiful, the care and gentle touch mean everything to me because I don’t like going to the dentist – who does? But it’s different here and I leave feeling genuinely happy. Mihaela is the BEST hygienist and Dr Galo is kind and extremely gentle. Even a root canal isn’t half bad with Dr Galo! Dr Soraya is also wonderful! Thanks Angel Care. ☺️ – Tara H