Find a dentist anywhere in the US.
There’s a variety of reasons you may want to look for a new dentist.
It could be that your old dentist has retired or moved to another city. Or it could be that you’ve changed neighborhoods and would like to have a new dentist near home. Whichever the case, it’s essential that you settle on a dentist nearby who has everything it takes to take good care of all your dental health needs.
That means that you won’t be looking for someone to just regularly clean your teeth. Good dental health plays a massive role in the well being of your overall body. Thus, you shouldn’t be asking yourself, “What are the dental services near me that I can check out?” Rather, you should be asking, “Which local dentist in my area has the appropriate qualifications and facility to take care of my overall dental health needs best?” In other words, you aren’t just looking for any other “dentist close to me” to visit. You want a dental care home that has your best interest at heart.
Such a dental facility helps you feel comfortable, at all times, whether you’re simply visiting for a regular examination or have a dental emergency. After all, you’re looking for a dentist that you’re going to stick with for a long time.
Finding the Right Dentist for You
So how can you identify a great dentist in your area? Well, there are several ways to go about it. You could ask for referrals from your friends, relatives, neighbors, and colleagues. A simple question like “Which dental care near me would you recommend?” can help point you in the right direction. You could also ask your doctor for recommendations.
But perhaps the most effective way to find dental services near your home is by taking the search online. Simply type in “dentist near me”, “dentist around me”, “family dentist near me”, “general dentist near me”, or ‘private dentist near me”. Any of these phrases should generate a list of all dental facilities in your area from which you can choose one. You could also try these other phrases: dental doctor near me, nearest dentist near me, local dentist near me, dentist near here, closest dentist near me or find dentist in my area.
From the list you get, you can narrow down to a few great candidates. But what if you’d like an ADA dentist specifically? Well, you can find them online too. Here are the details:
Finding an ADA Dentist Online
Recently, ADA unveiled an online search tool that helps patients connect with ADA dentists in their area. So how do you find a local dentist using this tool? Well, the process is simple.
You’ll need to fill out a Find-a-Dentist profile online. The process doesn’t take long; in about five minutes, you should be done. The tool provides results of ADA member dentists who have completed profiles. You’ll be able to see their details, including their photos.
This initiative by ADA aims at helping patients utilize the services of qualified and licensed ADA dentists. Once you enter your zip code or street address, the Find-a-Dentist tool immediately helps you locate any ADA member near your home.
To enhance the user experience, the online tool has a variety of new search criteria. For instance, if you’re wondering, “Can I find a dentist near me that takes dental, medical emergencies?” or, “Which dentist close to my location can provide pediatric dental care?”, the tool will give you these details. Details regarding the specialty of the dentist as well as what payment options are allowed are displayed in the app.
As soon as you’ve settled on a dental facility that you feel is a good fit for your needs, you can then contact them through phone or email to make an appointment.
If you’d like to update your profile on the Find-a-Dentist online tool, you only need to log in to your MyADA page. You’ll need to type in your member ID number in addition to your password. In case you have trouble doing so or would like any additional information regarding the Find-a-Dentist tool, you can always contact the ADA Member Service Center.
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Making the Final Decision
As soon as you’ve identified three or four ADA dentists closest to your home, it’s time to make the final decision. So how do you go about it?
Firstly, you want to make sure that you’re choosing a dentist who you’ll feel comfortable visiting regularly over the years. Ask yourself, “Will this particular dentist near my location work perfectly with my lifestyle and dental needs?” To get a clear answer, you can contact them and inquire about the following:
• How convenient are their office hours?
• Are they open on weekends?
• What payment options do they allow?
• Are there any dental benefits?
The responses to these important questions will help you get a good idea of what the dental service is like before you start working with them.
Meeting the Dentist in Person
Up to this point, you’ve only been interacting with the prospective dentist online and through the phone. Now’s the time to pay the dentist an actual visit. Consider scheduling a consultation visit. Most top dentists will be happy to make an appointment for consultation. If you had any more questions you’d like answered, you can make a list of them and bring them during your consultation visit. The consultation visit helps you observe the general environment of the facility. You’ll be able to gauge whether the office is comfortable, neat, and welcoming.
Some of the questions you may want to ask during the consultation visit include:
• How do you handle dental emergencies outside of your office hours?
• Will you record my dental and medical history in a permanent file?
• Are you familiar with my benefit plan?
You want to make sure that the dentist understands all your concerns.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, you want to choose a dentist that you can comfortably entrust your overall oral health with. Go for an advisor, a coach, and a motivator. Your dentist needs to be a partner who can help you make dental care decisions.