How To Find a Dentist
The cost and quality of dental care varies among dental providers, so you should do some shopping around before you choose a dentist. Follow these steps for how to find a dentist in your area.
1. Get a Referral
It is always a good idea to get a referral. That way you will already be familiar with how the dentist works and how good he/she is. You will already know what to expect on your first visit, and what fees you will be required to pay. You can ask friends, family members, coworkers, church members, neighbors, your physician or pharmacist for a referral. If you are moving to a new location, and you will not be able to see your current dentist anymore, you can ask him/her to refer you to a dentist that is located in your area.
2. In addition, you can check online dentist directories, the Yellow Pages, or Switchboard.com for a dentist in your area. Type in 'dentist' and select your city and state, and you will be provided with a list of dentists in your area. You will have the address and phone number for the providers in your town.
3. You can Google 'dentist' and your city and state online to find one. Many dentists have websites that you can look over before you come in for a visit.
4. Further, you can call your local dental society for a referral. Check the phone book for a dental society near you or Google 'dental associations' online.
5. If you want to know how to find a dentist, you can call your dental insurance provider. Find out if you can use any dentist in your state. If you can't, you should be provided with a list of dentists that you can go to. Many times, insurance providers keep a list of dentist's on their websites. You will have to type your address, and you will be provided with a list of dentists in your location.
6. Call the dentists in your area. Find out what you will be charged, how long they have been in business and what you can expect when you see him/her. If you do not have dental coverage, find out what kind of payments they accept. Make sure you get their address and take down their phone number in case you need it in the future.
If you do not have insurance, you can find out of the dentist accepts charity care. Many dental clinics offer charity care assistance for their patients. You will have to complete an application, usually before you see the dentist, and you will have to give them a few recent paystubs. Keep in mind that your income has to be under a certain amount in order to qualify for charity care. If you qualify, charity care will pay for your treatment. Sometimes, they pay in full, and other times you will have to pay a co-payment only. If you do not qualify for charity care, you may be able to find a dentist or dental clinic that charges low fees that are based on a sliding scale.
Follow these steps for how to find a dentist in your area. Above all, make sure the dentist you choose is a member of the American Dental Association.
