| Finding the dentist who is right for you | | | | for particular health needs. |
| and your family is key to establishing | | | | Nevertheless, asking your neighbor for a |
| and preserving excellent oral health. | | | | referral is an ideal place to start your |
| It's not wise to pick a dentist out of | | | | search. After all, a fine dentist will |
| the phone book or solely based on | | | | create great word of mouth. |
| insurance coverage. Although the search | | | | You might also ask for referrals from |
| for the right dentist might take some | | | | others who have steered you right in the |
| time and some effort, the results | | | | past. Consider consulting coworkers, |
| (better health and progress toward the | | | | cousins, your pastor, your gym workout |
| perfect smile) make it all worthwhile. | | | | buddy, your fellow fire department |
| The best way to find a good, reputable | | | | volunteers, or anyone whose judgment you |
| general dentist is by referral from a | | | | trust and who lives or works within a |
| friend or family member. If you're | | | | reasonable distance of the dentist's |
| seeking a specialist, try your family | | | | office. |
| dentist for the best referral. | | | | Finally, surfing the internet will |
| But what if you don't have a regular | | | | introduce you to a myriad of dental |
| dentist? Perhaps you've moved recently | | | | sites and directories. These sites offer |
| to a new neighborhood, your prior | | | | information on various dental procedures |
| practitioner has retired, or like many | | | | as well as lists of local dentists. |
| Americans, you've simply put off going | | | | Remember to examine specific |
| to the dentist for so long that you | | | | qualifications like special experience |
| realize you don't have a dentist. | | | | and teaching appointments. Don't forget |
| Of course, it's possible that you don't | | | | to consider how convenient the dentist's |
| fall into any of these categories. It's | | | | location is to your home or work. When |
| conceivable that you have a skilled | | | | you ask for a referral, ask some or all |
| dentist committed to his or her patients | | | | the following questions. . How long |
| and that you are delighted with the | | | | have you been treated by Dr. Houston |
| quality of care he or she provides. Of | | | | Dentist? . How did you learn about |
| course, in that case, don't recommend | | | | Dr. Houston Dentist? . Is insurance |
| that you blithely switch practitioners | | | | coverage your main consideration? . |
| simply for the sake of change. | | | | How helpful are the hygienist and other |
| Whether you're satisfied with your | | | | office personnel? . Why did you |
| current dentist, reading this article | | | | change from your previous dentist? . |
| should raise some interesting questions | | | | How long does it take to get an |
| for you to consider. You may realize | | | | appointment with Dr. Houston Dentist? |
| that your current dentist is the best | | | | . What is Dr. Houston Dentist's best |
| choice for you. Conversely, you might | | | | quality as a dentist? . What, if |
| decide it's time to do some research and | | | | anything, about Dr. Houston Dentist's |
| find the dentist who's best equipped to | | | | practice annoys you? |
| help you with your present needs. | | | | These questions all call for subjective |
| It's important to mention that | | | | answers, and that's the point. Your |
| individual preferences play a large part | | | | neighbor's criteria might be (and |
| in what is, in the end, a personal | | | | probably are) different from yours. For |
| choice. The dentist who has treated your | | | | example, insurance coverage may factor |
| neighbor for twenty years and "walks on | | | | heavily in some people's decisions, |
| water" as far as your neighbor is | | | | whereas others might have particular |
| concerned might be wrong for you. It | | | | health needs or scheduling needs to |
| isn't necessarily a question of | | | | consider. Speak with people you trust |
| competence, but one of style, | | | | and you'll quickly see just how |
| interpersonal dynamics, and relevance | | | | subjective the entire process truly is. |