When we run into problems with our oral health or unexpectedly encounter tooth pain, the choice of dentists to remedy the issue can be overwhelming.
Most people have a fear of dental visits and are hesitant to seek the needed treatment. It’s important to know how to find a good dentist near you that will not only provide painless dental treatments but will be someone you can trust and establish a long-term relationship with. Most people start this process by searching on Google for “the best dentist near me”.
This is a start but what to do next with the large list of results provided by your search?
There are many factors to consider when trying to choose the best dentist in Yonkers to provide the dental care or pain relief you need. It would be helpful to know what they are in order to make the right choice.
Continue reading our guide on how to find a good dentist in your area.
Ask Your Friends And Family Members
Before you even begin your search for a “dentist near me”, you should ask your relatives and friends if they can recommend someone. Most of them probably dealt with one or more local dental specialists and can tell you how satisfied they were with the experience. They just may recommend someone great and save you time doing the research yourself.
However, every person has a different personality and their oral health needs are also unique to them. In other words, if someone you know was satisfied with a certain local dentist, it doesn’t mean that you will also have the same great experience with them or that they will fit your dental health needs.
Look For a Local Dentist
The location of a dental clinic makes a big difference so it’s no surprise that most people search for “dentist near me”. Dental visits are nerve-racking as it is, having to drive a long distance and setting aside more time from your busy life will only add to the stress. Also, longer travel times will almost certainly cause you to postpone your regular dental visits because of the inconvenience.
That’s why it’s important to choose a local dentist who is nearby and make your visits convenient. Come visit our dental center and meet our team of family and cosmetic dental specialists led by Dr. Farokhzadeh.
Check The Reviews
One of the first things people do when searching for a local dental specialist is checking their online reviews. It’s not something you should rely heavily on but it still helps with reducing your list of possible candidates.
You shouldn’t limit yourself to just reading reviews on Google, there are many other reputable sites like ZocDoc and Yelp where you can find honest reviews from other patients.
It’s important to note however that you can’t take every review at face value.
Not all bad reviews reflect the level of patient care or expertise level of the dentist near you and may be based on things like longer than expected wait times.
The same can be said about positive reviews, don’t just look at the overall rating but actually read them.
There is nothing wrong with a five-star review raving about the friendly front desk staff but it doesn’t convey anything about the quality of treatment provided by the Yonkers dentist nearby.
Check The Board Certification And Credentials
A good dentist will always be board certified, so it’s important to double-check that they are and that they have a current state license.
You can read more about certifications on the American Board of Dental Specialties (ABDS) website. It’s also good to check if the dentist is a member of any professional associations like the American Dental Association or others.
What Type Of Dental Work Do You Need?
When looking for the “best dentist near me”, the dental work you need is paramount to the final decision you make. The answer to how to find a good dentist in Yonkers is going to be most affected by what you feel are your greatest dental needs.
The field of dentistry has specialists who specialize in more specific areas than your general dentist. Here are some dental specialties that you may consider for your particular concern:
- Orthodontics
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Endodontics
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Implant dentistry
- Pediatric dentistry
- Cosmetic dentistry
So if you need a dental implant or you have issues with your gums, a family dentist may not be as qualified to perform such treatments and it would help to seek someone who has additional training in those fields.
When checking the dental specialists’ education and specialty, you should also check if they are staying up to date with the latest treatments by continuing their education.
Schedule An Appointment With a Dentist in Yonkers
After doing all this hard work of finding a good dental specialist and narrowing down your list to two or three possible candidates, you have only one final step left. The last step is to schedule an appointment with the dentist that you feel fits your needs. This should be a consultation visit where you talk to the dentist and ask them some questions.
Several questions worth asking include:
- What insurance providers do you accept?
- Do you have any payment options for patients without insurance?
- How long have you been in practice?
- Do you offer any specials or discounts for new patients?
- What type of anesthesia are you certified to administer?
- What is your procedure for emergency dental care?
- What is your primary goal in patient care?
- Do you discuss costs and treatment plans upfront?
- What happens if I miss my appointment?
On your visit to their dental clinic, you should pay attention to how their office is maintained, if the staff and reception desk is friendly, and also if the dentistry uses the latest equipment.
It’s also important that you feel comfortable with the Yonkers dentist close by since once you find a good dentist, you will most likely become long-term oral health partners.
So even if they are the best rated dentist in your area, if they can’t explain things clearly to you and are hard to communicate with, it would be best to see a different dental specialist nearby.
Another red flag that should make you consider visiting another dental clinic is when you don’t understand why you need the treatment that the dentist is suggesting or if it’s too costly.
Trying to find the best dentist in Yonkers that fits your individual dental needs is very important and doesn’t have to be stressful. First, you need to figure out what you want from a dentist. After that, do your research and use various online resources to find a good dentist. And finally, as them some questions to better understand how they fit your needs. We hope our tips will help you find a specialist who will treat your oral health needs for years to come.
