Sometimes we take quality dental care for granted. Many people in the world do not have access to good dentistry, and instead, end up losing their teeth at a relatively young age, which can lead to a host of problems and diseases.
But even dental access, it's sometimes hard to know where to find a competent dentist. If that is the case with you, here are some possible sources for obtaining good dental care:
1. Check with the American Dental Association. Visit their Website or make a telephone call to get a referral to a dentist in your area. You can find out about dental specialists, fees, and locations, along with contact information. Ask about public records for the dentist you plan to visit to find out if the practice has a good reputation or faces pending litigation. You also can do a Google search by typing in the dentist's name and then checking the links that come up.
2. Browse the Internet. You can find a list of dental practices in your local area by doing an online search. For example, use search words like "dentist" and the name of your state, like "Florida." From the list that pops up you can refine your search until you find the information you're looking for. You may be able to find Web pages for a particular practice. These can provide information about services, fees, and contact details.
3. Let your fingers do the walking. Go through the yellow pages of the telephone book to find local listings, and check out the ads while you're there. But don't be misled by a dazzling display. A practice is only as good as the service it provides, and you won't know that before the first visit unless you can get in touch with other patients treated by that dentist. Look for information, not persuasion, as you look through this section.
4. Ask around. If you admire someone's teeth, ask for the dentist's name. Conversely, if someone complains about dental treatment, find out who provided it and avoid that office. Family members, neighbors, friends, and coworkers may be good sources of information about quality and inept dental care.
5. Scout the community. As you drive through town, look around for signs posted that advertise a dental practice. Notice whether the parking lot is fully or empty and whether the building looks well taken care of or neglected. These are not fool-proof indicators, but can provide a preliminary impression of the practice. Get the phone number and call the office for details. If it seems to be a professional dental practice, make an appointment for the first visit. If that goes well, continue to return for checkups. But if you do not feel you are getting good care, look around for another dentist to try next.
Finding a dentist may seem difficult, but the payoff is that you may be able to count on good service for years to come after completing a careful initial evaluation.
