Are you new to the Santa Rosa area? Don’t delay finding a reliable dentist! Routine appointments can benefit your oral and overall health.

There are now almost 185,900 dental care businesses across the US. You may struggle to narrow down your options without a plan.

Read on to discover the nine factors you should consider before choosing a Santa Rosa dentist. With these tips, you can start caring for your teeth with help from a qualified professional!

1. Reputation

Simplify your search for a local dentist by speaking with friends, family members, and neighbors in Santa Rosa. Ask if they can recommend a reliable dentist. Learn more about their experience as a patient.

Prepare a list of questions you want to ask. For example:

• How long have they been your dentist?
• Are they experienced?
• What are their credentials?
• What types of dentists are at the clinic?
• Where is the clinic located?
• What services do they offer?
• Are you satisfied with their care?
• Have you experienced problems?

If someone experienced issues as a patient, ask them to elaborate. What did the clinic do to resolve the problem? Look for a dentist who cares about their patient.

You may not have a lot of local connections if you’re new to the area. Search online for patient reviews instead. Visit Better Business Bureau, Yelp, Healthgrades.com, and Google Business.

Read multiple reviews from each site. Look for a reliable dentist with a glowing reputation.

If multiple patients encountered the same problem, you may as well. For example, perhaps they struggled to schedule an appointment. Maybe the staff wasn’t friendly or professional.

Build a list of local dentists during this stage. Use the rest of these tips to narrow down your options.

2. Credentials

Learn more about each dentist’s qualifications. Determine:

• Where they went to school
• When they completed their training
• What dental organization affiliations they have
• Their specific certifications

Confirm that each dentist graduated from an accredited institution. Make a note of when they graduated.

If it was a few decades ago, determine if the dentist continued their education. They should remain informed of new technologies, procedures, and industry trends. These professionals are more likely to offer a high standard of care.

Dentists who don’t maintain their credentials and education use outdated practices. They may not meet your needs or expectations.

Visit each dentist’s Healthgrades.com listing. Confirm they don’t have any malpractice claims or disciplinary actions filed against them. If they do, remove them from your list of options.

3. Experience

Determine how long each professional has offered dental care services. Find an experienced team and a long-established dental practice.

Experienced dental teams know how to work efficiently. They likely won’t experience operational issues related to billing or scheduling.

A long-established dental practice has outlasted competitors. You won’t have to worry about them going out of business overnight. Instead, you can have peace of mind knowing that other Santa Rosa patients trust the practice.

4. Location

Determine where each practice is located. Try to find a practice near your home, school, or work. Finding a local practice will ensure ease and convenience when you need to travel to appointments.

If there’s a dental emergency, knowing the practice is nearby will relieve your stress. You won’t have to travel across town for a sudden appointment.

During your consultation appointment, look around the office. Make sure it’s clean and comfortable. Choose a practice that offers a soothing, relaxing environment.

5. Services

Consider the types of dentists you’ll need to visit in the future. For example, perhaps you need:

• General dentistry
• Cosmetic dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Periodontics
• Endodontics
• Oral surgery
• Prosthodontics

Look for a dentist that offers a variety of treatment options. You won’t need to visit more than one practice for treatment.

Choose a local dentist who prioritizes preventative dentistry. They can help you avoid tooth decay and gum disease.

Preventative dentistry will save you time and money. We lose $45 billion in US productivity annually due to untreated dental disease. You can avoid needing extensive treatment or oral surgery.

Do you need a specific treatment? Ask the dentist when they last performed that procedure. Make sure their experience and services align with your needs.

6. Personality

Schedule a consultation appointment with two or three dentists on your list. Meet each dentist in person to gauge their personality.

Are you comfortable around them? Do they interrupt you when you speak? Choose someone who is easy to talk to.

The dentist should have experience putting patients at ease. If you suffer from dental anxiety, ask if they offer sedation services.

Consider the staff. Choose a team that is patient, polite, and professional. If they’re running around franticly, continue your search.

7. Availability

If you have a dental emergency, it’s important to seek treatment right away. Otherwise, you could encounter complications. Ask each practice about their hours and if they offer emergency services.

Some dentists offer extended hours during the evenings and weekends. You’ll have peace of mind knowing they’re available.

8. Equipment

Ask the dentist about the technology they use. When was their technology last updated? New innovations and improvements have made dentistry safer and less invasive.

Dentists who rely on updated equipment can offer better, faster, and more efficient care. If they don’t invest in their equipment or technology, keep searching.

9. Costs

Ask each dental practice for an itemized list of the services they offer. Determine which treatments your insurance provider will cover. Most practices will provide a list of the insurance providers they work with.

Determine if the practice offers multiple payment options. If you don’t have dental insurance, review their financing policy.

Find the Best Santa Rosa Dentist Today

Don’t rush to choose a Santa Rosa dentist. Instead, keep these nine factors in mind during your search. Do your due diligence to find a reliable dentist you can trust with your dental care.

Our team at Matthew Anderson, DMD, MSD, Inc. cares about your oral health. We’re dedicated to helping patients live healthier lives in a caring environment. Patient care and compassion are our priorities.

Discover a comprehensive approach to treatment planning. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.