Choosing a Dentist and Common Mistakes People Make
When it comes to your smile, you want the best dental care you can find. With so many dental offices to choose from, it can be overwhelming to make the right choice. It’s tempting to rush into a decision, but that can lead to costly mistakes. Don’t worry, we happen to have a handy guide to help you choose the right dentist for you!
Read more: Jefferson Dental New Patient Guide
Considerations When Choosing a Dentist
Knowing how to pick a dentist doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but you do want to put a little effort into the search. It may take a little research on your part, but in the end, don’t you want a dentist with you feel comfortable with?
1. Dental Office Locations
Life is short, you are busy, and the last thing you want to do is drive across town for a dental appointment. Let’s face it; location matters. Even the best dentist in the state won’t do you much good if you have to drive an hour or more out of your way to see them. You may want to start with an office that is close to home or work (or school for kids). With over 70 convenient locations throughout Texas, we recommend using Google Maps to search for “Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics” + your location, to find an office near you. Or, simply try a Google search for “dentist near me.”
2. Is Your Chosen Dentist within Your Dental Plan Network?
If you have dental insurance, it’s tough to overlook that list of in-network providers. In many cases, you can walk away with serious savings by choosing a dentist in your network.
However, if you are worried about not having insurance, there are other options you could use. At Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics, ‘no insurance is no problem’ with our Dental Savings Plan.
3. Dental Technology
Another question to ask when picking a dentist is what technology they use. It may seem strange, but not every dental office upgrades equipment and practices to keep up with new tech and trends. When dentists use the most up-to-date technology, they tend to do better work than those using old or outdated equipment.
Each one of the Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics offices is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a 3D scanner, an intraoral camera that takes 6000 images per second, which allows you to see exactly what your dentist sees when they examine your mouth.
4. Dental Payment Options/Plans
Money matters when it comes to picking a dentist. What happens if you need to have work done that you can’t afford to pay for all at once? Ask if the dentist offers payment plans and what payment methods they accept. It’s important to find a dentist who is willing to work with you to make sure you get the work you need.
At Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics, we believe that cost should never stand in the way of you receiving the dental care that you need. We pride ourselves on offering affordable monthly payment plans for all credit levels—even bad credit.
5. Dentist Experience
How much experience does the dentist have? More experience is generally preferable, especially if you’re looking at a specialist, like an orthodontist. You want somebody who has a lot of experience handling cases or procedures like yours. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about a professional’s background before deciding on a dentist.
At Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics we go out of our way to find and hire the most caring and talented dentists, DA’s ad office team members. For example, Dr. Shilpi Priyadarshini, our DFW Regional Dental Director, is one of the top 5 dentists in the State of Texas!
6. Dental Patient Reviews
Word of mouth is a powerful tool, so why not make it work for you? Ask around to see who your family and friends use and how they feel about their dentists. Other healthcare providers can also help you with finding a dentist. You can also research customer reviews on trusted websites, like Google and Yelp.
Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics has over 16,000 5-star patient reviews. We love our patients, and they love us right back!
Read more: How to Prepare for Your First Appointment at a New Dentist
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Dentist
Knowing what to look for is only half of the story when picking a dentist. Many people make mistakes when shopping for a dentist because they focus on the issues above and missing some serious red flags.
1. Only Looking at Dentists Within Your Network
We know we said that you should look at in-network providers, but it’s not always the best option for everyone. Certainly start with your network, but you may want to look beyond that list, especially if you don’t like your options when it comes to other criteria on the list.
Don’t forget that many dental groups have their own dental plans to help mitigate costs for patients. You may find that a Dental Savings Plan actually saves you more money on dental care in the long run.
2. Putting Too Much Value in Reviews
Yes, reviews matter, and feedback from your family and friends can go a long way. But what if you don’t have anybody in your area? Going to reputable sites like Google and Yelp is a great place to start, but if a dentist is rated low or you see a series of concerns listed, it may raise some red flags. Likewise, a slew of glowing, 5-star reviews may warrant some more research.
3. Choosing Dentists with Limited Specialization
Picking a dentist who specializes in one or two things sounds like a great idea, right? They must be excellent at providing those services. But, what happens when you need something done that falls outside of that skillset? Then, you have to start all over with your search. However, if you choose a dentist or dental group with several professionals experienced in different specialties, then you are covered.
Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics has everything you need under one roof. We offer hygiene services, orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry.
4. Selecting Dental Practices without Flexible Financing Options
We already discussed money matters, but there is a lot to consider when it comes to payment for dental services. You may need a provider with flexible financing options to ensure you don’t go broke paying for your treatment or simply avoiding treatment altogether because you know you can’t pay the costs upfront.
Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics provides the most comprehensive, professional dental care at the most affordable prices, and, for those without dental insurance, we offer our exclusive Dental Savings Plan, which gives you access to a full line of dental services at up to 50% off!
5. Selecting Dental Practices Purely on Price
Speaking of pricing, the lowest rates aren’t always going to provide the best services and you may walk into additional charges. That’s right, some professionals list low fees in bold print but then factor in additional fees in the fine print. It’s easy to miss those, so make sure you ask plenty of questions and get the full picture before committing to a dentist. At Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics, we offer you high-quality care at the most affordable prices.
6. Forgetting to Ask About Dental Insurance
Never assume that a dentist accepts your insurance, even if your carrier lists them as in-network. Make sure you double-check with the provider to make sure they accept your dental insurance. Don’t forget to verify savings and charges so that you know what you’re getting into.
7. Not Checking a Dentist’s Credentials & Experience
It’s easier than ever to check credentials when you’re shopping for a dentist. You can look into everything from finding out where a provider went to school to determining how much experience they have in specialty services. You don’t want to get orthodontic treatment from somebody with no experience in the specialty!
Ready to get started? Find your nearest dental office and schedule an appointment today!
