Choosing a Dentist Made Easy

by Kevin Smith Author

For most of people, choosing a Dentist is like choosing life insurance: You know you should, do not really want to, but realize in the end, it is the right, even critical choice. That makes the decision of who to choose extremely important. If you are looking for a general Dentist in Fayetteville, GA, you have to make sure the Dentist you choose is a good fit for you and your family; here are some things to focus on.

Ask for Recommendations

Ask friends, family, co-workers, your pharmacist and primary care physician, anyone you run into (that is not a mortal enemy) who they recommend. Ask what they like about their Dentist. Ask what they do not like. Check out professional affiliation groups like the American Dental Association or Academy of General Dentistry.

Location and Accessibility

You can have the best Dentist in the world, but if getting to them involves a three-hour trip, they might as well be located on the moon. This is particularly true in the event of an emergency. You should look for someone reasonably close to where you live. They also should be flexible in their time. A Dentist that is only available three days a week between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. probably is not a good fit, particularly if you have children.

Meet Them and Their Staff

Once you have narrowed your options to a few Dentists, set up a meeting with their office. Ask for a quick tour and to meet with the Dentist and their staff. Check out the work environment. Is it friendly? Clean? Does the staff look happy? Assess the “bedside manner” of the Dentist and whether they will put you and your family at ease.

Check References

Ask the Dentist for any professional memberships they belong to and verify that they are in good standing. Ask for references, just like you would if you were screening a job applicant. They might not have any right off the top of their head as it is not a standard question, but they should be able to get you references fairly quickly. If they do not follow up, that is an indicator of the type of service you will receive as a client. Also, check business organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau; if they are not involved in the community where they get their customer-base or if there are a lot of complaints against them, think twice.

Choosing a Dentist is a vital part of managing your health. If you are looking for a general Dentist in Fayetteville, GA, taking your time and getting the right fit is just as crucial. These tips should help you get a long way to that goal.