PEOPLE MIGHT NEED to find a new dentist for all sorts of reasons. Maybe they moved to a new city. Maybe their old dentist retired. Maybe they’re new parents and need to find a dentist for their child. Whatever the reason is, we recommend not waiting until an urgent dental health emergency pops up before finding a dentist that fits your needs. Here are five important factors to keep in mind when searching for the best dentist for you.
1. Location, Location, Location!
How close is the practice to your home? To your child’s school or where they play sports? To your workplace? Make sure the distance isn’t so great that making it to twice-yearly checkups will become a major inconvenience. It’s a good idea to decide on a radius that seems doable for you and your family, then determine who the best dentist is within that radius. On the other hand, there might be a dentist slightly farther away who is still worth it for other reasons! South San Francisco Dental Care is just blocks from the nearest the 280 and 380, accessible from public transport and offers free private parking.
2. Reputation Matters
What kind of reviews does the dentist have? What are their other patients saying about them? Check out the Yelp and Google reviews and maybe ask around your neighborhood, coworkers, and friend group to see if anyone you know is familiar with that particular dentist. While there can sometimes be hidden gems, a lot of good feedback is generally a positive sign. Our practice is one of the most highly rated offices in our area with over 100 5-star Yelp reviews and Google reviews.
3. What Specialties Can They Claim?
A dental practice that operates close to you and has fantastic reviews might still not be right for you if they don’t offer some of the services you think you’re likely to need. How good are they with child patients? Do they offer cosmetic treatments? How much experience do they have with root canal therapy or treating gum disease? Do some research into a dentist’s specialties to see if they’re a good fit. You don't have to go anywhere else with our team of in-house specialists. South San Francisco Dental care is a one-stop shop for dentistry for all ages and dental needs. Our highly qualified team includes a pediatric dentist, root canal specialist, implant specialist and oral surgeon, who work with your general dentist to provide comprehensive dental care.
4. How Well Do They Fit Your Budget?
Sometimes a dentist’s only flaw is the cost of their services in comparison to your budget, or that they aren’t in your dental insurance network. It’s still important to find a dentist for regular appointments in this case, because those checkups are much easier on a budget than a serious dental problem that could’ve been caught and treated cheaply in an early stage. Finding a budget-friendly dentist is an excellent investment, both financially and in terms of dental health. At South San Francisco Dental Care, we offer interest-free financing with CareCredit, offer flexible payment plans and accept nearly all major credit cards and major health insurances.
5. Patient Comfort
If you aren’t comfortable around a dentist or within their practice, then the other factors might not matter much to you. It’s a good idea to give the practice you’re considering an early visit just to get a sense of the place and the staff. A good dentist will always prioritize patient comfort, especially considering how many patients struggle with dental anxiety!
Meanwhile, keep up those oral hygiene habits! At South San Francisco Dental Care, patient comfort is our ultimate goal by combining the latest in dental technology with unparalleled customer service. You can also feel reassured with our 100% satisfaction guarantee and our sedation options.
We Look Forward to Meeting You!
If you weren’t sure how to start looking for a great dentist before, we hope we’ve given you a few ideas of where to begin! If you want to learn more about our practice, you can text or call us at (650) 871-1400 and schedule an appointment online. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have!
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
