One of the most popular dentist search terms on Google is “dentist near me.” However, is that the best criteria for choosing your new dentist? Dentists, like physicians, are medical professionals that everyone needs to visit at least a few times a year. But not many people actually know or make the effort to find out how to choose the “best” dentist for them.
Evaluate Your Needs
It’s important for you to understand that not all dentists are alike and you may be better served by an experienced dentist who can provide you with the specific services you need, at a cost you can afford. Consequently, you need to take the time to evaluate your needs, and perhaps your family’s needs as well, before deciding who “your dentist” will be.
Visiting a dentist you feel comfortable with and one who understands/is aware of your dental health issues is vital. That’s why it’s important to develop a long-term relationship with your dentist. However, sometimes our dentists may move away, retire or we may move to a new area or change insurance companies that don’t include our dentists in their network. So, you need to know how to choose your new dentist!
Criteria for Choosing Your New Dentist
Services Provided by a Dentist or Dental Centre
Ask the dentist or dental centre / office / clinic about the services they provide. This is especially important if you have children and would want the convenience of organizing your entire family’s dental appointment on the same day. It’s also important that your new dental centre provides a wide variety of dental services and is well-equipped, so you don’t have to look for a new dentist for different dental procedures you might need later.
At Langley Dental Centre, we are a family-oriented dental practice that aims to meet your entire family’s needs, attend to dental emergencies with same-day appointments, while being available on weekends and weekday evenings. Moreover, our dedicated team of highly qualified dental professionals offers a wide variety of services. From general dental care to cosmetic smile makeovers, we can meet all your dental needs.
Professional Qualifications and Quality of Work
This may sound a bit redundant but you need to ask about dental qualifications and medical licenses. You should feel free to ask where dentists earned their degrees and how long they have been practicing. It’s usually the case that a dentist with relatively less experience might be more affordable but someone who has more experience may provide you with higher quality treatments. It’s also best to choose a dentist or dental practice that specializes in the dental services you need.
At Langley Dental Centre, our dentists and staff are well trained to perform their duties to their best and constantly update themselves with the latest technologies in dentistry. We take a patient-centric approach to dental treatment so are transparent, explain every step of your treatment before the procedure, and the pros and cons of every treatment.
We measure our success by our patients’ feedback. Therefore, we recommend that if you know people who have been treated by a dentist you may be considering, ask their opinion about the quality treatment and service they have received. Naturally, since most dentists and dental care centres are listed online, you have the opportunity to read patient testimonials and reviews on Google or social media platforms. These patient reviews can give you a fairly clear insight into the quality of services provided.
Location and Operating Hours
Let’s face it, you don’t really want to be driving for hours from home or work to get to your dental appointment so you should try to choose a dentist that is at a convenient location for you. In this situation, you can ask your insurance provider for a list of the dentists in your area that are part of their network.
Reasonable office hours are also essential when choosing a dentist. At Langley Dental Centre, our patients’ convenience is always one of our priorities, as a result, we stay open until 6 pm on weekdays, and on alternating Saturdays, we treat our patients from 9.30 am until 5 pm. What’s more, we accommodate same-day emergencies.
Cost and Payments
Individuals paying for dental work out of pocket without the support of an insurance plan, prices can be important. The British Columbia Dental Association has a suggested fee guide that can help you compare the cost of specific treatments. At Langley Dental Centre, we follow the BC fee guide and provide you with a clear, detailed estimate on the cost of your treatment plan in writing so you know what to expect. We also accept and direct bill most insurance companies and for patients without insurance coverage, we can offer financing through iFinance.
Let’s Work Together for a Healthy Bright Smile
At Langley Dental Centre, your comfort and satisfaction are important from the get-go. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our operating procedures and dental treatments. As we have already mentioned, we believe in a patient-centric approach and keep our patients informed about every aspect of their potential treatments in order to help them make the best decisions. We always aim to make every visit as pleasant as possible and, as a family practice, your convenience is always one of our priorities because we understand how precious your time can be. For more information, call us at 604-455-6247 or book your appointment today. Let’s work together for a healthy bright smile!
