There are approximately 200,000 dentists in the U.S., between general and specialist practitioners. They work in large urban settings and running practices in small rural areas. Yet, everyone wants the best dentist they can find.
After all, shoddy dental work can cause all kinds of problems. For example, a poor dental procedure can mean multiple follow-up appointments and additional pain. Who wouldn’t prefer avoiding that?
If you’re considering a new dentist, here are some key questions you should ask the dentist before you schedule your first appointment with them.
What Are Your Payment Policies?
While it might seem like a strange question, it is one that you should ask. For example, some dentists provide sliding scale charges based on your income. If you happen to live on a very low income, asking that question can save you some money.
Some dentists will also let you set up a payment plan for some dental work, but not every dentist offers this option. While almost every dentist will take a debit card, credit card, or cash, many won’t accept checks anymore.
Many dentists require upfront payments for some of their dental procedures. As part of this question, you should ask which insurance programs a dentist takes. Not every insurance provider works with every dentist.
Do You Offer the Procedure I Need?
If you move or the dentist you used to use closes up shop; you may go dentist shopping with full knowledge that you need a specific procedure. While most dentists do a good job of listing what they offer on their websites, some dentists don’t have a website.
If there are only one or two dentists available in a small town, for example, they might not bother with websites. After all, most people in town probably know who they are already.
If you know you need dental implant work done, you should ask about it ahead of time. Curious about implants? You can click for dental implants information here.
What Should I Do the Day of My Appointment?
If you do schedule an appointment, you should ask your dentist about what you should do that day. Depending on what’s on the agenda for the appointment, the dentist may prefer that you avoid certain kinds of food or drink.
After all, they will spend a lot of time over your open mouth. They might prefer it if you don’t have something with a lot of garlic in it.
Talk with the Best Dentist in the Area
When it comes to switching dentists, the best thing you can do is ask the best dentist in the area some questions. First things first, you should understand their payment policies clearly.
You should also talk with them about any types of procedures you know you’ll need. You don’t want an appointment with a new dentist who can’t do the dental treatment you need.
Also, ask them what you should do or avoid on the day of the appointment.
Looking for more health-related tips? Check out the post in our General Knowledge category.
