Fear or anxiety are two reasons almost 20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist. But this dental phobia isn’t only confined to the US. Globally, this figure increases to 36%.
Avoiding visits shouldn’t be an option. This can lead to serious dental problems.
Experts believe that going to your appointment with someone you trust can help. This is even more important if it’s your first visit. If this is the case, then it’s reasonable to assume that going to a dentist you trust can too.
You might be wondering, How do I find a good dentist near me? And one I can trust? Read on for some steps you can take. Doing them might lead you to the best dentist in your area!
How to Find a Good Local Dentist
Depending on where you live, there may be quite a few dental care practitioners in your area. This can make choosing one extremely difficult. But you can at least narrow your options by doing one or more of the following:
Ask Your Family Doctor
Fear of a dentist may not extend to your family doctor. If this is the case, then it’s the best place to start when looking for a good dentist.
Your doctor probably refers patients to specialists all the time. Why not ask him for a referral for dental services?
More than likely they’ll know the person and can speak to their bedside manner. They might be the best person to point you in the right direction.
Ask for Recommendations
If you don’t have a family doctor the next best thing may be to ask others for recommendations. This can include family, friends, and even colleagues.
What’s great about this is that they can tell you about their own experiences. Based on this, you can decide whether you’d like to try the dentist they’ve recommended or not. You can also research their recommendations and look for reviews.
Do An Online Search
While doing research you might find other dentists as well. The American Dental Association (ADA) also has a list of dentists. Simply go to the Find-A-Dentist option on their site to find one near you.
What You Should Look For
So you know what sources you can go to find a dentist in your area. But before making your final decision there are a few things you should consider. These include:
- Services offered
- If your dental insurance lists them as a provider
- Accessibility
- Experience
Another key characteristic would be your comfort level. It’s hard to gauge this from a website page. But this is where recommendations come in.
This is important if you’re self-conscious about some services you need, such as dental implants. You should feel comfortable talking to the dentist you choose. You can even ask them about all-on-4 implants cost.
Ease Anxiety with the Best Dentist
Even if you don’t have a dental phobia, you’ll want to have the best dentist for the services you need. Having complete trust in your dental practitioner can facilitate open communication.
It also ensures you don’t avoid going. Experts recommend that you visit a dentist every six months. These visits usually involve a cleaning and an oral examination.
This allows the dentist to identify any issues. Catching them early can help you avoid major dental problems. If you’re interested in additional dental or medical information, go to the Health section of our site.