What do you look for in a new dentist? (teeth, cost, root canal)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I am new to my city, and am in the unfortunate position of needing some major dental work. I had a wonderful dentist in my hometown who I went to for over 20 years; however, I live several hours' plane ride away from there now so it's not practical to go to him for this dental work.
I got a recommendation from a colleage for a general dentist whom I saw for two exams and cleanings and I did not like him at all. Then I had a filling done with a different dentist, and am now looking for a new dentist. I usually like to choose my health care professionals based on recommendations; however, I have already tried that and did not like the dentists. Also, there is a lot more at stake here since we're talking invasive procedures versus exams and consultations. I have not lived here long enough to get to know a lot of people whose opinions I trust.
Now I need major dental work and am not sure how to go about looking for a dentist to do this in my area. It is very nerve-wracking to have to find a new dentist for this dental work. My hometown dentist did not have any recommendations of new dentists in this area for me.
When I do find a dentist, how do I evaluate whether or not I feel confident enough in his abilities to let him do major dental work on me?
Having worked for a specialist (endodontist), what I'd do is call a specialist's office. Ask the receptionist for a recommendation. The receptionists know who's good and who's not. Just tell them the truth, that you're new to the area, need dental work, tell them what insurance you have. If you're lucky, you'll get someone nice who will give you a recommendation. Good luck!
Good question you're asking. I think it's tough finding a good dentist anywheres. Ask friends, colleages, if you can. Then, just go for a basic exam to see if you like the dentist. If you don't feel comfortable--that is a sign to take off. Also, ask alot of questions. Trust your gut instincts, I'd say, and ask alot of questions.
I found mine from a "top dentist" list in the metro area I live in--colleages rate their own, which I think is probably the most reliable referral system around. Do you have anything like that in your area?
Last edited by Nanny Goat; 12-11-2008 at 10:43 AM..
Having worked for a specialist (endodontist), what I'd do is call a specialist's office. Ask the receptionist for a recommendation. The receptionists know who's good and who's not. Just tell them the truth, that you're new to the area, need dental work, tell them what insurance you have. If you're lucky, you'll get someone nice who will give you a recommendation. Good luck!
Great advice! Thanks!
Yes, it's hard to know who to go to, that's for sure.
Well, the last dentist I went to before I moved had masseuses that gave free shoulder massages and parafin hand waxes.... that was a great perk, they may have set the bar a bit high, lol!
I live in Northern Indiana, which has to have the worst dentists in the country. However, you may find a good dentist if you ask your family physician, if you have one now. I wonder how some dentists ever acquire their license. It's a shame that I have had horrible dentists, and my son, who is now 45 years old had a sadistic dentist who gave him a lifelong fear of dentists. It's a shame that he has caused that--the phobia--in many other people. I had a botched root canal that sent me to the hospital , and was put on an antibiotic IV, but still lost the tooth. The monster should have , at least, had a sign on his office that he didn't treat children. He had NO patience with them. The small town I lived in then had no good dentists. They are hard to find in this area, but Ft. Wayne has good dentists, which is over 30 miles from where I live.
The best dentists I ever had were in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Unfortunately, when I married I had to move to Indiana because of my husband's job.
One place I would never go to looking for a dentist is the internet. It is my direct experience that the majority of negative reviews are because the patient didn't want to pay their bill and many times good ones are plants. I ask my coworkers and neighbors who they see and how they like their dentist. The things I look for are painless shots (because I'm a baby in the dental chair), will they refer out for more difficult or complex work and is there staff professional.
Unfortunately the dentist I had been going to for over 15 years passed away. Not only was he excellent as a dentist, he also was not money-hungry.
My experience in trying to find a new dentist has been very enlightening.
The first dentist I saw seemed to be okay as far as his skills; but he claimed I needed to have extensive dental work and refused to tell me what the cost would be. In fact, when I said that it was impossible for me to approve any work on my teeth without knowing the cost, he suggested I should find another dentist. Jeesh!
The next guy was a good dentist, wasn't money hungry, but had a lousy personality. I could have let that pass, except that he was rude and abrasive and it was stressful to just be around him.
It's always amazing to me that you can go to a number of different dentists, and everyone of them have their own opinion of the type of dental work you need performed.
Third dentist was another one of the "You need a lot of crowns" guy....and of course they have a lot of people on staff and every new state-of-the-art type of equipment you could name. He left the practice and the replacement wasn't as greedy. However, they still try to force a patient to spend as much money as possible.
I'm still searching for a dentist who does good work, is not an ogre, and isn't expecting his clients to support his expensive lifestyle by demanding they have work done on their teeth that isn't necessary.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
