Did you recently move to the Los Angeles area? Learning how to choose the best dentist in town can take time. If you wait too long, you could put your oral health at risk.
Instead, use these seven tips to find the best dentist around! With these tips, you can feel confident in your choice. You’ll know an experienced, qualified dentist is evaluating your dental health.
There are nearly 197,000 dental practices across the US, employing 1,082,371 professionals across the country. Not every dentist has the same level of experience as others in LA, though.
With the right dentist, you can take a proactive approach to improve your oral health and smile. You can determine what services you need to meet your goals, too.
Discover how to find the best dentist in LA with these simple tips today!
Gather Referrals
If you’re new to LA, talk to coworkers, friends, and family members who live in the area. Ask if they can recommend a local dentist. Then, start developing a list of suggestions to research further.
As you gather referrals, take the time to gather as much information as you can.
Start by asking your friends what makes a good dentist to them. Why are they satisfied with the dentist they visit? Determine what qualities each dentist has that set them apart from others.
Ask your friends if they’ve encountered any problems with their dentist, too. How did the dentist try to fix the problem?
The best dentist will go above and beyond to treat their patients with the highest standard of care.
Look online for patient reviews, too. Try to find a dentist in LA who has a strong reputation among their clients. Check their Healthgrades.com or Better Business Bureau listing.
You’ll find reviews on their Google My Business profile, too.
Choosing a dentist in LA who already has a strong reputation will give you peace of mind. You’ll feel confident choosing someone others in the area already trust.
Review Their Credentials
It’s not enough to find a dentist people love, though. Make sure to look into their credentials, too.
You can visit the dentist’s Healthgrades.com profile to learn more about their education, training, and professional history. Check their website for an “About Us” page while you’re at it.
Make sure each dentist on your list graduated from an accredited institution. Then, consider when they graduated. If they graduated decades ago, consider how they’ve remained informed.
Consider prioritizing professionals who continue their education outside of school. These dentists remain informed about new technologies, treatments, and procedures. They’re more likely to offer advanced treatments.
A dentist who graduated decades ago but fails to remain informed might use outdated techniques.
Determine if the dentist has any other certifications or has won any accolades as well.
Consider Their Experience
Most professionals learn by doing. If you want to find the best dentist in LA, look for someone with years of experience. Determine how long they’ve practiced in the area.
If they only recently opened their practice, consider finding someone else.
Try to find a long-established dental practice, too. Look for a dental team that’s worked as a team for years. These teams know how to work like a well-oiled machine.
An office that runs smoothly is less likely to make mistakes while caring for patients.
Check Their Services
When learning how to choose the best dentist, it’s important to consider your specific needs. For example, you might only need a dentist for routine cleanings.
Perhaps you want to find a dentist who offers cosmetic dentistry services as well. Cosmetic dentistry can include bonding, veneers, bridges, and crowns.
About 61% of people wish they could change something about their teeth. Crookedness and spaces between teeth are among their top concerns.
Maybe you need an office that also employs an orthodontist. Perhaps you’re interested in braces or Invisalign.
You might want to look for a dentist that offers:
- Dental implant services
- Zoom teeth whitening
- Restorative dentistry
- Full mouth reconstruction
- Cosmetic dentistry
Make a list of your needs and the specific services you’re interested in. Then, find a dental practice that offers everything you need under one roof.
Look at a Map
If you want to avoid major dentist choosing mistakes, consult a map. Make sure the dentist is near your work, home, or school. Otherwise, you might struggle to arrive on time for appointments.
Choosing a dental practice that’s located nearby can help you avoid stress or long drives.
Schedule a Consultation
Schedule a consultation appointment with two or three dentists on your list. Then, take the time to discuss your concerns. What dental services would they recommend?
The best dentist will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan based on your concerns.
During the appointment, pay attention to how they communicate. Is the dentist easy to talk to? Are they friendly and professional?
If you don’t feel comfortable around them, scratch them off your list.
Make sure the dentist doesn’t rush you out the door. If they’re too busy to listen, they won’t consider your concerns. They might not provide the standard of care you’re looking for.
Consider Pricing and Insurance
Before making your final choice, gather quotes from three different dentists. Determine if they fall under your insurance plan, too. If they’re not within your plan, get an itemized list of their services.
Take the time to compare prices. Don’t make common dentist choosing mistakes like hiring based on price alone. Instead, review your notes.
Choose a dentist you’re comfortable around. Make sure they have the experience and expertise necessary to help.
Otherwise, choosing the cheapest option might put your oral health at risk in the future.
Smile While Searching: How to Find the Best Dentist in Los Angeles
Finding the best dentist in Los Angeles is easy when you know what to look for. Use these seven tips during your search. Once you find the best dental team in LA, book your first appointment.
With their help, you can prioritize your oral health without stress this year!
Ready to book your first appointment? We can’t wait to help.
Contact our team today to get started.