Does going to the dentist make you anxious? Or instead, are you one of those rare folks who love a visit to the dentist because your teeth feel so good afterward?
For many, while they recognize the importance of getting to the dentist, they don’t always do it as often as they should. Maybe you just have gotten around to finding a family dentist in Houston.
85% of Americans know dental healthcare is important, yet only 58% admit to getting to the dentist at least once a year. While there might be any number of reasons you don’t make it to the dentist as often as you should, the first hurdle is finding a good dentist.
Read on to learn about the things you should consider when looking for a family dentist in Houston.
1. Experience and Qualifications
Going to the dentist is not like buying a new pair of shoes. It’s a little more difficult to try them out or even replace if it isn’t a good fit. You want to start by finding a dentist who is both highly qualified and has experience.
In today’s technology-driven world, it’s pretty easy to get this kind of information. Often the dentist will even provide information about their qualifications, including their education and training, right on their website.
You also want to look closely at the dentist’s website for information related to their experience. Consider areas of specialty so you don’t have to visit other practices if you have unique needs.
2. Location
There are plenty of ways to come up with to avoid going to the dentist. Don’t let the location be one of them.
In today’s world, everyone has a to-do list a mile long and many places they need to be. You need to select a dentist that is close to either your home.
If you plan to have the whole family see this dentist, you want their office close to where you live.
If their location is out of the way or takes too long to get there, it’s one more reason you might not get yourself or your family members into the dental chair.
3. Quality of Service
Getting to the dentist is hard enough. If you go and get crummy service, the chances of going back are slim. Plus, having quality dental healthcare is directly tied to your own health.
When you visit a dentist, make sure it’s an atmosphere that is welcoming and one that also helps to alleviate any anxieties you might feel.
This is a good time to talk to friends and relatives about their experiences with a particular dentist. Again, read reviews to learn about the experiences of other patients.
Remember, when reading reviews, one bad review should not make you keep looking. Some people are just grumpy. Look for a pattern of comments about the quality of service in the dental office.
4. Use of Best Practices and Technology
Like any medical service, dental care is always evolving and growing. A dentist needs to be experienced in their services, yet they also need to keep themselves up to date with new options for care.
Ask how the dentist uses technology in their services. You can even ask what the dentists in the practice do to stay up to date on best practices for their patient care.
5. Provided Services
You can assume that most dental practices will provide basic dental care. You can get your teeth cleaned. You can get a cavity filled.
But what if you need additional kinds of dental services? You don’t want to have to visit multiple dental practices just to get the care you need.
Consider what different dental services are provided by the office. Some might include:
- Periodontal services
- Teeth whitening
- Root canals
- Dental implants
- Crowns
You might also ask if they offer Invisalign or orthodontic care.
You might also inquire about what services they provide related to dental anxiety to help make the dentist visits less stressful.
6. Emergency Care
Nobody plans on having an emergency, either with their health or their teeth. Yet, unexpected things happen all the time.
It would be good to know you are selecting a dentist that offers emergent care. If an oral health issue arises, ask the dental office how they handle emergencies.
Do they offer after-hours appointments for those true emergencies that can’t wait? On average, how quickly can they get you in for an appointment if you are having a dental issue?
You don’t want to select a family dentist in Houston then find out they take forever to get an appointment with or they can’t help you quickly when you are experiencing an issue with your teeth.
7. Cost and Insurance
The truth is that many people don’t have the luxury of dental insurance. And even if they do, they need to pay attention to what the costs will be for visiting the dentist.
You certainly don’t want to select a dentist because they are inexpensive.
You do want to select a dentist that is upfront about costs. You want to be prepared going into your visit about potential costs. You also want to select a dentist that will allow you payment options if you do have a big bill for the care you needed.
If you are fortunate enough to have dental insurance, then it’s important to make sure the dentist accepts your insurance. How they handle co-pays and deductibles are good questions to ask upfront too.
Find a Great Family Dentist in Houston
Finding a great family dentist does not need to be difficult. Use these tips to help guide your search. The good news is that with good dental care, you only have to see the dentist a few times a year.
Once you find a family dentist, the whole family can get the care they need for many years. Contact us today if you are looking for a new family dentist in Houston. We can provide the dental services you want and need for your whole family.