There are currently over 6,000 licensed dentists in Kentucky. Not every Georgetown dentist has experience relevant to your dental care needs, though. Before choosing a dentist, it’s important to vet your options.
Otherwise, you could compromise your oral care by choosing an inexperienced dentist.
Here are seven tips you can use to find the best dentist office in Georgetown today!
1. Talk to Neighbors
Before choosing a dental office in Georgetown, KY, turn to friends, family members, and neighbors. Gathering personal referrals will help you build a list of dentists to research further. Referrals can help you prioritize the best dentists in Georgetown.
Ask questions about the dentist’s professionalism, credentials, and experience. Learning from firsthand accounts can help you find information not available online.
If you’re new to the area and don’t know anyone, start your search online instead.
If you have specific dental needs, search for a Georgetown dentist based on those needs. For example, perhaps you’re missing a tooth. You can search “dental implants Georgetown, KY” to build your list.
Once you’ve found a few dentists to research further, look online for patient reviews. Check each dentist’s Healthgrades.com listing. You can also find reviews on each dental office’s Google Business and BBB profiles.
Prioritize local dentists that already have a glowing reputation. You can feel more confident choosing a dentist others have trust with their dental care. If you find a number of negative reviews on the dentist’s profile, consider it a red flag.
Look for reviews that mention long wait times, a lack of professionalism, or incompetence. Instead, look for a dental practice that cares about its patients. These teams will try to offer the highest standard of care possible to maintain their glowing reputation.
2. Check Credentials
Before choosing a Georgetown dentist, make sure they have the proper training and credentials. Remember, there are over 6,000 licensed dentists in Kentucky. Confirm that each dentist on your list has a license to practice in the state.
If their license is no longer valid, remove them from your list.
Visit each dentist’s Healthgrades.com listing or the practice’s website to determine where they went to school. Make sure they graduated from an accredited institution. If they don’t have years of relevant training, remove them from your list.
Almost all states in the US require dentists to have a D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree from a university-based dental education program. Confirm that the program was accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). All licensing jurisdictions in the US require candidates to pass the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE).
Any dentist who has the proper credentials will be proud to show them off. If they refuse to provide proof of their credentials, remove them from your list.
Determine if the dentist has any additional credentials that speak to a specific area of expertise. For example, perhaps they completed a two-year postdoctoral program to enhance their skill set.
Prioritize dentists on your list who continued their education after graduating. These dentists are qualified to offer the latest procedures and use the latest technologies.
3. Consider Your Needs
What a friend considers the best dental practice in Georgetown might not suit your needs. Before choosing a dentist, consider the dental care issues you’re experiencing. For example, maybe you’re unhappy with the appearance of your smile.
You’re not alone. About three in every five people hate how their smile looks.
If your teeth are discolored, consider visiting a cosmetic dentist for professional teeth whitening. If you need tooth replacement services, search for Georgetown dental implants.
Patients with dental anxiety should look for dentists that offer sedation dentistry services instead.
Review each dentist’s services to confirm they can meet your oral care needs.
4. Prioritize Experience
Determine how long each dentist has practiced in Kentucky. Make sure they have years of hands-on experience helping patients.
Make sure the dentist’s experience is also relevant to your distinct needs. For example, maybe you’re looking for dental implants in Georgetown, KY. Determine how often each dentist completes this procedure.
If they haven’t done a dental implant procedure in a few years, remove them from your list. A dentist with relevant, recent experience is less likely to make mistakes.
Perhaps you’re looking for a family dentist. Make sure they have experience treating children and adults. Otherwise, they might struggle to put your child at ease.
5. Consult a Map
Some dental procedures require more than one appointment. For example, a dental implant procedure could take two or three appointments. Make sure each dental practice on your list is conveniently located.
Try to find a practice near home, work, or school. If you require emergency dentistry services, you’ll have peace of mind knowing the dental practice is nearby.
6. Schedule a Consultation
Narrow down your list of options to three or four Georgetown practices. Schedule a consultation appointment with each one.
Ask questions to fill in any gaps in your online research. For example:
- How long have you practiced
- What services do you offer
- Do you offer sedation dentistry
- Do you have experience treating children
Pay attention to how the dentist acts, treats their staff, and speaks. Make sure you’re comfortable around them. Look for someone with active listening skills who cares about your oral care needs.
If they try to push services you don’t need, remove them from your list.
7. Compare Costs
Ask each dental practice for an itemized list of the services they offer. Determine if your dental insurance covers any of their services.
Don’t rush to choose the cheapest dentist’s office. Instead, compare prices between three local practices. If one practice has extremely low prices, they’re likely desperate for patients.
Determine if any of the practices offer financing or discounts before making your final choice.
Find the Best Dentist Office in Georgetown
Don’t rush to choose a dentist office in Georgetown. Instead, use these tips to do your due diligence. Using these tips will ensure you find a dental practice that meets your oral care needs.
Remember, if you need a specific service like dental implants, choose a dentist based on your concerns.
Need to schedule a consultation? We can’t wait to see you!
Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
Recent Comments