May 26, 2023
Recently, a long-time patient of mine here at Dental Innovations in Winslow mentioned that she and her family were going to be moving to Mesa in a few weeks. Naturally, she was looking for recommendations on a new dental practice for her family. Although I never like to see any of my wonderful patients leave my practice, I let her know that she was in luck. We actually have a sister practice in Mesa where I knew she could continue to receive the modern and cutting-edge treatment that she loved and had become accustomed to with her Winslow dentist. After I had given her my recommendation, I started thinking of how common it probably is for patients to move and need to find a new dental home. If you find yourself in that situation, I have come up with several questions that you can ask yourself while looking.
One: Are their services comprehensive?
You probably remember a time when you visited a doctor, and they recommended that you be treated for something they did not do at their office. There’s nothing more bothersome than having to go through the process of being a “new patient” again after you’ve just done it. Before selecting your new dental home, check to see what services they offer. That way, whether you need a filling or a whole smile transformation with veneers, they will have you covered at their own office.
Two: Is the technology they’re using up to date?
Dental technology evolves so quickly, and it will only continue to do so over time. It’s important that the dental office you choose is using the latest in modern methods of treatment and tools in order to provide you with the highest level of care.
Three: How personalized is the care?
When you visit any doctor for the first time, you want to feel that your specific needs truly matter to them, and not that you’re just another appointment for them to check off of their agenda for the day. When you have an initial consultation with your dentist, be sure to set the expectations of what type of care you’re looking for, and make sure that you feel heard by them.
Four: Will they accept my dental insurance?
This is one of the most important questions you should consider when choosing a new dental practice to call home. Depending on what type of coverage you have, the insurance company may require your dental practice of choice to be in their network before they will cover treatment costs. You can typically find this information on your insurance’s website. In some cases, the dental practice can also help provide an answer. That way you can be fully prepared for what to expect financially going in for your first appointment.
Five: What is the dentist doing to grow their skills and knowledge?
It may seem like something personal that is unrelated to you, but it plays a huge part when it comes to the caliber of care you’ll receive. Dental procedures and treatments change all the time, and you’ll want to be sure that your dentist is keeping themselves and their practice abreast of the most modern advancements the dental world has to offer.
Six: What do their other patients say about them?
One of the easiest ways you can find out about your prospective dentist’s reputation is to see what their current and former patients are saying about them. Most dental practices will have reviews somewhere on their site where you can find out specific details about the different things they did well when it came to patient care.
If life is moving you elsewhere, it is our hope that your next dental home welcomes you with open arms and treats your smile with the care and attentiveness is deserves. Take these questions into consideration when doing your research, and you can’t go wrong with your final decision!
About the Author
Here at Dental Innovations in Winslow, we make it our priority to keep our practice outfitted with all of the latest and most modern technology that the dental industry has to offer. We strive to educate our patients on the importance of dental health by providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to keep their smiles shining brightly. Our team has combined years of experience and training that give us the ability to provide the highest quality of care to everyone who walks through our doors. If you would like to schedule an appointment, you can do so online or call us at (928) 833-6168.