Choosing the right Dentist near me is an important decision that can pay big dividends in terms of your health, says Cooper. But where do you begin the search?
Dental Office Locations
Finding the right dentist is crucial to your oral health and long-term smile goals. It’s important to find a dentist that is skilled, knowledgeable, and keeps up with new techniques, procedures, and technologies. Additionally, you want a dentist who makes you feel understood and comfortable, especially if you have anxiety about dental appointments.
At Aspen Dental, we strive to treat each patient with compassion and respect. Our dentists are skilled, knowledgeable, and keep up with the latest developments in dentistry to ensure that you receive top-tier care.
We have a variety of office locations to make it convenient to see your local dentists. Using our advanced search feature, you can search by more than 10 different factors that align with your specific needs and preferences. Whether you need a dentist who accepts your insurance, speaks your language, or offers an orthodontia service, we can help. With so many options to choose from, finding a dentist that’s perfect for you is easy.
Dental Office Hours
A dental office is a business establishment owned and/or run by a dentist. The establishment handles not only the provision of oral services and treatments but also clerical matters such as billing and scheduling. It is usually staffed with support personnel to ease the burden on the primary dentist.
The majority of dentists work a five-day week, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but some offer Saturday or later hours. Most dentists strive to see as many patients as possible in the course of a day because they pay large sums for liability insurance and have high overhead expenses for quality equipment, qualified personnel and superior products.
This is why it is important to find a dentist who has reasonable office hours. If a patient is kept waiting for long, they are likely to leave frustrated and will not return to the same clinic or seek emergency care in the hospital. To reduce the likelihood of this, staff should clearly communicate with patients the reason for delays and mail a letter directly to any patient who was kept waiting for longer than expected.
Dental Office Reputation
A dental office’s reputation is important for attracting and keeping patients. People search online for information about doctors and dentists, and a good reputation is a key factor in a patient’s decision to visit a particular practice. Reputation management includes branding, content marketing, review requests and management, and community activity.
When patients search for a dentist, they often check review sites such as Google Business Profile, Yelp, and Healthgrades. These websites display reviews from patients about their experiences at the dentist, which can affect a patient’s decision.
It is important for a dental office to have a positive online reputation and to respond quickly to reviews. Some negative reviews are the result of misunderstandings, and responding to them promptly can help to resolve the issue. It is also important to ask patients for feedback after every appointment. This can be done through automated post-appointment surveys that are sent to patients via email or text, or by using a platform such as PracticeMojo.
Dental Insurance
When selecting a dental insurance provider, consider your specific needs and budget. Most plans offer a variety of options, including deductibles and copayments. Evaluate the coverage and network size of each plan, as well as any annual maximums or other limits.
Many types of dental insurance follow a 100/80/50 payment schedule, meaning that they will pay 100% for preventive visits, 80% for basic care, and 50% for major procedures. Other considerations include the annual maximum, which is the amount that your plan will pay toward your care during a year, and coinsurance, which is the percentage of cost that you are responsible for after you meet the deductible.
The NADP Directory can help you find a plan that best meets your needs. The Directory allows you to search by state, plan type, and whether the insurer writes individual or group coverage. It also displays a list of plan premiums, deductibles and other cost information. In addition to DHMO and DPPO plans, the Directory includes Dental Savings and indemnity products.