Over 50% of Americans report satisfaction with their current dentist. Given this, it’s understandable why so many Americans get frustrated at the thought of having to find a new dentist when they move.
At Absolute Dental, switching dentists does not have to be a stressful experience. Our team of experienced medical professionals will help you get the dental care you need for your best smile!
How To Find a New Dentist After Moving
So, how do you go about finding a new dentist after moving? It all starts with understanding your dental needs and how to make sure your new dentist meets those needs. Just like finding a trusted primary care physician, a new mechanic, or even a new hairstylist, you want to do your research to find the right dentist for this next chapter of your life.
Understand the Care You Need
Start by understanding the type of care you need. If you’re someone who’s looking for routine dental check-ups and exams, then you’ll be fine narrowing down a general dentist.
If you need more robust dental care, look for a dentist specializing in certain types of care, like an endodontist or orthodontist.
How Do You Tell a Good Dentist From a Bad One?
Generally, it’s pretty easy to spot a good dentist from a bad one, but it’s not without a good bit of research first. Here’s what you can do to weed out quality dentists from all the rest.
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Check Reviews
Always start by doing your research on a new dentist. Look up their office, read reviews, and see what the general community has to say.
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Get Referred From Friends and Family
Good dentists build strong relationships with the community and back up their reputation with quality care. Ask around to see who your loved ones turn to for their dental needs, and you’ll have a clearer idea of which way to go.
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Inquire About Education and Expertise
Once you have narrowed down a couple of dentists, don’t be shy about asking about their education or expertise. Where a dentist trained can impact the overall quality of care they provide. While expertise is also important, education and expertise often go hand in hand. Many dental training programs offer specialized training that dentists can undergo to help them further develop their skills.
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Ask About Insurance Coverage
Dental offices are not all the same, and some facilities accept certain insurance providers while others don’t. Before settling on a specific dentist, you want to ensure they are in-network and accept your dental insurance benefits.
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Visit the Office for a Free Consultation or Initial Exam
Finally, once you’ve gotten a dentist narrowed down, make your final decision after you’ve met with them in person. Some dental offices offer free case evaluations that give you a better feel of the dental office and its services.
How Are Dental Records Transferred?
Getting your dental records to your new dentist is a relatively easy process. Start by contacting your previous dental office and make a formal request that you’d like to have your records transferred over to the new dental office. Ask about protocols and what other steps you should take to make sure this transfer goes as smoothly as possible.
Next, contact your new dental office and alert them that you’ll be transferring a copy of your dental records over. They may need to get in touch with your previous dental office to finalize the transfer.
If your dentist does not comply with your request to obtain a copy of these records, contact your local or state dental society for additional support.
At Absolute Dental, we’re proud to be a leading dental services provider in Las Vegas, NV. We provide comprehensive dental care with flexible payment options, including Care Credit for braces and dental emergency care. Get in touch today to learn more!
Sources:
Ghanem, E., et al. (2023). Patient Satisfaction With Dental Services.
Nevada Dental Association. (2024).
Types of Dental Plans. (2024).