(Newswire.net — February 23, 2019) — Choosing a dentist is one of the most important decisions you’ll make regarding the health of your family, up there with choosing a doctor. The health of your mouth affects the health of the rest of your body, and you want to make sure your family can live vibrant, abundant lives.
There are a dizzying array of options to choose from though. There are almost 200,000 dentists operating in the United States today across all fifty states. It can be daunting to figure out which practice is the best fit for you and your family.
I spoke to two dentists to see what they thought about the subject: Dr. Nina Izhaky, dentist and owner of Tribeca Dental Studio, and Dr. Alexander Vaiman, dentist and partner at New York Family Dental Arts. Both of them had some helpful tips for finding the best possible dentist partner for your family’s health.
1) Lifestyle Fit
“One of the biggest things is choosing a dentistry that fits your family’s lifestyle,” says Dr. Vaiman. “The easier it is for you to get to, the more likely you are to actually take advantage of the benefits of going to the dentist. A location and hours that fit with your family’s way of life contribute to that.”
The American Dental Association (ADA) concurs.
One of the most important factors is location—is it easy to get to from your home or your job? And where is it in relation to the area where your children go to school or after-school activities?
The easier it is for you to work a visit in to your regular routine, the better. “If you need translation or interpreter services, these can be a factor as well,” says Dr. Izhaky. “Some practices can help while others can’t.”
Consider every aspect of your life and see which practices are most convenient for you.
2) Recommendations
“I get a lot of business from referrals, and I think most other dentists do too,” says Dr. Izhaky. “Creating a practice that generates its own business through word of mouth is something most dentists put a premium on.”
Consider talking to family members and friends. Ask them—who do they use? What do they like about their dentist? Do they have any complaints? If they really like their dentist, it’s an easy step to just go with a recommendation from someone you trust.
You can ask your doctor, too.
Oftentimes doctors will have dentists that they use or recommend and will be able to point you in the right direction. They’re a good resource because they’re already in the healthcare industry and understand what it takes to run a practice. If a dentist has a good recommendation from a friend, a family member or your doctor, they’re probably a good fit for your family.
3) Consultation
If you’ve got a list of potential dentists in mind already, it can pay to have a consultation with them, either by phone call or visiting the office in person. Ask them questions about the things that are most important to your family. What’s their stance on preventive dentistry? What are their costs? How do they handle problems that come after-hours or emergencies?
“I always appreciate when potential clients call in beforehand or make a visit,” says Dr. Vaiman.
“If you’re choosing a dentist, you’re creating a relationship. It’s important to get an understanding of the ground rules and get off on the right foot in any relationship, as well as making sure you’re a good fit for each other.”
4) Dental Society
The ADA is the most widespread dental association in the country, but there are many state and local chapters and smaller societies that are great resources for finding qualified dentists.
“It’s important for a dentist to be connected to both their community and the greater dentistry community,” says Dr. Izhaky. “We strive to keep up our professional connections—it helps us stay up to date with the latest advancements.”
You can use the ADA’s Find a Dentist tool (linked in the first section of this piece) to find a dentist that’s a member of the ADA. Alternatively, you can search for dental associations or societies in your area to find a list of groups that can help you find a qualified dentist near you.
5) The Practice Itself
You should definitely go visit your chosen dentist’s practice at least once, even if you had a consultation over the phone. How busy are they? What does their clientele look like? Are the premises clean, neat, and well-appointed? Is the equipment up to date?
“I keep my dentistry as clean and neat as possible, because it’s important not just for hygiene, but also for the impression you make on your customers,” says Dr. Vaiman. “You want to make sure they feel safe and well taken care of. You want them to know they’re in good hands and that you care about the details.”
No matter what dentist you choose, if you look at these five areas, you’ll find one that’s right for your family. Keep your family’s mouths healthy and build a relationship with a capable dentist—it may last for a lifetime.