HOW TO FIND FAMILY DENTIST
Making sure your family receives the best dental care possible is a very important part of their overall health! Our smiles not only help us feel confident, keeping our teeth and gums healthy decreases chance of gum disease, tooth decay and jaw bone loss. Finding a qualified dental professional is key to your success when caring for your family’s oral health. Below, we will take a look at some things to consider while conducting your search for an excellent family dentist in mobile.
Check your insurance company’s website
Searching for a provider within your insurance network may be something to consider. If you visit a dentist outside of your participating network, you will likely be asked to pay for services in full and then have to wait for reimbursement from your insurance company. Also, most insurance companies will not cover as much of the cost you incur at an out-of-network provider. If this is important to you, be sure to consult your insurance provider.
Ask friends and family
People often have very strong opinions of their medical providers. Your friends and family can be an incredibly valuable asset as you begin your search. They may have visited a dentist you are considering and have had a bad experience.
Check websites
Visit each potential provider’s website. You will likely be able to read some reviews from their patients and view pictures of each team member. They may also have mini biographies so you can get a sense of each individual in the practice.
Schedule a consultation
This is the best way to determine which dental provider is going to be the best for your family. Meet with multiple providers before making your decision as this will give you the opportunity to visit their office and see what they have to offer. Are there activities to entertain children in the reception area? Was the front desk staff friendly and courteous? Any questions or concerns you have can be directed to the staff.
Other factors to consider
- Is the office located in a convenient location?
- Are their hours of operation conducive to your family’s schedule?
- What is their missed appointment or late cancellation policy?
- What is their policy for emergencies? Do they have an after hours fee on top of the cost of treatment?
- If you or someone in your family is going to require restorative treatment, do they present a treatment plan detailing the fees and
- payment expectations before the service is scheduled?
- What type of anesthesia does the dentist use?
Once you have compiled a list of potential family dental providers, all of these considerations can help you weed out those that will not be ideal for your family. Oral health is so important and making sure you have a dental team that meets all of your needs can keep your family smiling and healthy!
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