How Do I Find a Good Dentist?

Nearly every day I have at least one parent, friend or neighbor ask me “how do a find a great dentist or dental specialist?” Frankly, I totally understand the difficulty. Every doctor, including the corporately run practices, claim to perform excellent, honest treatment and the general population has a hard time determining who really is the best choice. Recently I ran across this article written by a very accomplished dentist who decided to return for more training and became a dental specialist. Given that she has been a general dentist and now is a practicing periodontist, I thought she had a good perspective that I wanted to share with you. If you read this and still have questions, I would be happy to discuss it with you and help you find a great practice to contact in your area. Please feel free to call or come by any time to talk.

Luke Bailey DDS MSD

Finding a good general dentist

Knowing what I know about general dentistry, if I were new to a town and looking for a great general practitioner (GP), I’d start by calling a few dental specialists. I’d take 15 minutes and call 10 offices of various dental specialists and tell them you were new to town and ask them “who is the best general dentist in town?” It’s an easy question, but the politics and friendships associated with business relationships will get a few offices referring you to someone with whom they are social but not necessarily the best. If a GP refers 20 patients a month to a specialist, the woman on the phone may be a little worried about referring you to someone else and undermining the relationship with their best referrer. That’s why I said to call 10 offices; you’ll see a few names emerge as a trend. Sounds like a lot of work? It’s only 15 minutes of your time!!! The people in dental offices have an opportunity (and knowledge) to objectively evaluate each other’s work in a far better way than the general public, who are untrained.

Finding a good dental specialist

If you need to see a specialist, you’re likely to have been given a few names from your general dentist (that’s if your GP refers, which is an altogether different blog post for the future). When I first started as a GP in 1992, I found out over time who were the best specialists in town and would exclusively refer just to them. If you needed braces, I would give you the name of my most trusted and best orthodontist. Those days are now gone. So as to not be liable for the referral given, many dentists now give several names and expect the patient to decide which one to go to. I don’t agree with that philosophy. Our patients count on us for advice and when my patients need an oral surgeon or pediatric dentist, I give them one name and only one name. If that’s the person I’d let treat me, why would I refer the patient to anyone else? Unfortunately, as I said, many dentists are going to give several names, so it’s going to be up to the patient to do their due diligence.

I would do the exact same thing as I just mentioned to find a GP, but in reverse. I would call 10 general dental offices and ask them: “Which endodontist/pediatric dentist/orthodontist/oral surgeon/periodontist/prosthodontist in the area would you go to for treatment?” The big difference is that general dentists don’t often rely on referrals from specialists so you’re likely to get a truly heartfelt answer from the person answering the phone. You’ll see a couple of names emerge and you can call them to figure out which one is right for you.

Figuring out which offices are truly the best

But your work isn’t done yet. Remember, nobody is more responsible for your dental and health choices than YOU!!! So, call the office(s) that emerged at the top of your list and tell them that you’re new to town and are looking to make an appointment. Observe the reception you get. The great offices will make you feel at home. They’ll ask you about YOU and who you are. They’ll give you details about what to expect and maybe even have welcome videos to send you. Warmth can’t be faked and it starts at the top of the practice. If you get put on hold for two minutes and they tell you what happens if you miss an appointment, it tells you a lot about the discussions this team has at their team meetings.

Ask them: “So tell me what makes Dr. X different than everyone else?” I guarantee you’ll catch them off guard and there won’t be a script. If they can only say “he’s a really nice guy and his patients love him” move on. I’d like to hear them say that the doctor spends a ton of free time attending continuing education classes, belongs to study clubs and perhaps even is a lecturer. You can’t fake those things.

Of course, when you go to the office it’s important that the dentist spend a fair amount of time with you. Whether you see the hygienist first and the dentist is an afterthought versus dedicated time first with the dentist is a very telling sign about the practice philosophy. Your heart will tell you whether the dentist cares about you or your child personally or if it’s all an act. Always listen to that little voice inside if it feels wrong.”

For the full article you can visit http://dentalsherpa.com/2016/02/20/how-do-i-find-a-great-dentist/