Whether you just changed dental insurance, jobs, moved cities, or simply just need a change, finding a new dentist that is a good fit for you and your needs can be a stressful process. As you probably already know, your dental health can play a large role in your overall health. And with many adults battling varying forms of dental anxiety, finding a dentist you feel comfortable with and trust to handle your oral hygiene is important. When you do find a new dentist to try out, here are a handful of questions we recommend asking at your first appointment to ensure they are the right fit for you.
- How Does Your Scheduling Work?
Some dental offices book weeks or months in advance, whereas others can fit you in in just a few days. Most dental offices actually leave slots open throughout the week to fit patients in for any dental emergencies that might arise. Asking this question helps you to understand the availability of your dentist and how these appointments might fit into your schedule.
- How Well Can You Handle Emergencies?
This is a great follow-up question to our first question. If your dentist is booking out months in advance, they might not have the capacity to handle emergency appointments, leaving you scrambling to find a new dentist in the eleventh hour. And as we all know, you can’t plan for an emergency so finding a dentist with flexibility is important.
- How is my current dental health and what can I do to improve it?
Good dental health doesn’t happen overnight – it requires a dentist providing helpful recommendations and a dedicated patient adhering to those recommendations. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan when it comes to oral health – we all have unique needs and therefore require a unique plan. This question allows you to get a custom dental plan from your dentist. And don’t be afraid to share your current routine with them – the more details you give them, the more customized your plan will be to your lifestyle.
When searching for a new dentist, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask a lot of questions! Call us today to get on our schedule.
