How can you choose the best dentist in Columbia, MD?

The short answer is, there is no one best dentist for everybody. Your needs will be different from any other dental patient. Not only may you require different services, but your preferred level of care and personal comfort will be different from others.

Choosing someone that is the right fit for you may take time, but it is absolutely worth in for your long-term oral health. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, there are several tips you can use to help choose the best dentist for you:

Don’t Wait For A Dental Emergency

You shouldn’t wait until you have a dental emergency to look for a reliable dentist. Even if you do not need any major dental work, you should find a dentist that you are comfortable with and you know you can rely on if any emergency dental needs arise. When evaluating dentists, ask them what happens if you have a dental emergency. Are they equipped to handle it at their dental clinic? What are their procedures?

Ask Friends and Family

The best place to start your search is by asking friends and family in the area about the best dentist in Columbia, MD. If they have a dentist they recommend, make sure to ask them specific questions such as how well their dentist explains treatment options, what the appointment setting and waiting processes are like and how comfortable they feel with their dentist overall. If you are in need of pediatric dentistry, ask friends or family who have children.

Reputation

While your friends and family may have a good experience at a particular dental office, it’s important to get an understand of the dentist’s overall reputation. Look at online dentistry reviews to see what experiences others in the community have had.

Qualifications

Don’t assume any dentist has the professional qualifications required to provide the best dentistry. Ask about the training of the dentist and their staff. Your State Dental Board, local dental society or your insurance carrier are good resources to verify a dentist’s qualifications.

Payment and Insurance

One of the most important things to consider is whether or not the dentist is covered by your dental insurance. The best dentist won’t matter as much if they aren’t in your network. You should also consider how affordable the dentist is and whether or not they offer flexible payment plans. Your dental insurance company can even be another resource for you. Ask your dental insurance provider for recommendations of dentists in your network.

Consultation Call or Appointment

Once you’ve narrowed the list down, conduct a consultation call or an in-person visit to the dental office. During this consultation, make sure to ask all the questions most important to you and get answers to the items listed above. Good questions to cover are:

  • What school did the dentist graduate from?
  • How long have they been practicing?
  • What type of dentistry do they focus on?
  • How large is the staff and how long have they been with the dentist?

If you have any other questions about finding the best dentist for you, or if you’d like to schedule a consultation to meet with Dr. Fogel and the team, please feel free to reach out!