How to Choose The Right Family Dentist

How important is oral health to you? Do you visit the dentist twice a year, as the American Dental Association recommends? Or, are you like nearly one-third of Americans who don't visit the dentist on a regular basis?

If you don't see the dentist regularly, you're more likely to deal with dental caries and periodontal issues. You could even be setting yourself up for serious health problems.

Why aren't you going to the dentist on a consistent basis? Is it because you haven't found a family dentist you like? If so, it's time to learn what to look for in a good dentist.

Read on to find out what you need to do to find the right family dentist in Ann Arbor.

What Is a Family Dentist?

If it's been a while since you've shopped around for a dentist, you might find yourself wondering what a family dentist actually is.

In short, a family dentist is a dentist who focuses on oral health in all stages of life. They work with children, teens, adults, and the elderly.

Family dentists are qualified to provide a wide range of dental services, including the following:

• Regular dental cleanings
• Deep cleanings to prevent gum disease
• Fluoride treatments
• Filling cavities
• Gum disease treatments (periodontic care)

Many family dentists are also able to provide cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening and orthodontic treatments like Invisalign.

How to Choose the Right Family Dentist

A family dentist is a jack of all trades.

Unless you want to make multiple visits to different dental professionals, a family dentist is your best bet. This is especially true if you have children and don't want to take them to a separate dentist.

How do you find a good dentist, though?

Here are some guidelines you ought to follow if you want to make sure you're working with the right family dentist.

Ask for Recommendations

A good first step when you're trying to find a family dentist is to ask around for recommendations.

Talk to other family members or friends and find out which dentist they see. Would they recommend them? What do they like or dislike about that particular dentist?

Try to get a few different recommendations.

It's good to have a list of possible candidates. That way, if one dentist doesn't work out or can't see you right away, you have other options from which you can choose.

Do Some Background Research

Once you have your list of candidates, it's time to settle in and do a little background research.

Look up each dentist and find out where they went to school and what other credentials they have. It's good to find out how long they have been practicing and whether they make an effort to stay up to date with the latest dental procedures.

You might also want to check to make sure their practice is in good standing with the Better Business Bureau.

Check Their List of Services

Next, check their list of services -- it ought to be posted on their website -- and make sure they offer all the dental services you need.

That way, you won't have to worry about finding another dentist later in the event that you or someone in your family requires extra care.

When you're looking at their list of services, be sure to think about the future. You might not need periodontal care now, but what about in a few years? Is there a chance you might someday want your teeth whitened?

Take all these possibilities into account, and you'll save yourself a lot of time later on.

Read Their Online Reviews

It's always a good idea to find out what other people are saying about a dentist (or any professional, for that matter) before you start working with them.

Look at third-party reviews sites and find out what people like and don't like about a particular dentist.

Pay attention to the average consensus of the dentist before making your decision. If there are twenty good reviews and one negative review, they're probably a good option for you.

Find Out if They Accept Your Insurance

Of course, before you settle on a particular dentist, you must make sure they accept your dental insurance.

Most dentists list on their website which insurance providers they accept. If not, you can always call and ask the receptionist, or you can check with your insurance provider.

If you find that your insurance provider does cover treatment with a specific dentist, you should also check to see how much of the treatment they cover.

Are cleanings free of charge, for example, or are you expected to pay a percentage? What about fillings and dental emergencies?

Check Out Their Office

If you think you've found a good family dentist, the next step is to pop into their office and check it out.

What's the culture like there? Does the staff seem friendly and happy with their jobs? Is the waiting room comfortable and the office clean?

Talk to the Dentist Face-to-Face

Finally, try to speak to the dentist face-to-face if you can. Even if you can only talk to them for a few minutes, you can still get a good idea of whether they're a good fit for you and your family.

Is the dentist friendly? Are they patient when answering your questions? Do they seem like they are a good communicator?

If you're going to be bringing your children to this dentist, you might want to bring them along for the visit, too. That way, they'll be less nervous when their appointment, and you'll get to see how the dentist interacts with kids.

See a Family Dentist in Ann Arbor Today

Now that you know what to look for in a family dentist in Ann Arbor, it's time to start looking for the perfect one.

At Dental House in Ann Arbor, we offer a wide range of dental services, including general dentistry, orthodontic care, and cosmetic dentistry.

Contact us online or over the phone today to schedule an appointment.

We're also happy to tell you more about our practice and how we can help you and your loved ones attain and maintain healthy, sparkling smiles!