Did you know that there are more than 200,000 dentists that work and operate in the United States of America? Visiting the dentist is a massive component of maintaining your health and keeping that glowing smile. A tricky aspect of making a move to a new area or even a new state is finding a reputable dentist to visit and then scheduling a dentist appointment.
Switching dentists doesn’t have to be frustrating or scary if you know what to look for when finding a new dentist to visit. Having a map to follow will help you make a dentist appointment with a kind and caring dentist near your new home.
The good news is that you’re in the perfect place to learn all about the steps that you need to take prior to visiting the new dentist office. Keep reading to learn more about scheduling your first dentist appointment after your move today!
Create a List of Candidates
The best place to start after you’ve made the move to your new home is to go online and look for the best dentists in your area. Google and Facebook are your friends when you start looking into your different dentist options since they’ll offer you the chance to check out some online customer reviews. To start just head to Google and search “dentist Winsdsor” or whichever area you live in. This should leave you with plenty of results in your local area.
Customer reviews are among the best tools that you have since you’ll get a ton of first-hand information from past and present patients at that dentist’s office. You’ll learn more about the quality of care the new dentist offers and whether or not patients are happy with the work.
You should also reach out to neighbors, friends, and coworkers that live in the area to find out where they go for their dental needs. Combine those recommendations with a bit of your own research online and you’ll find that it’s easy to narrow down your list of candidates when looking for LA’s dental care experts, as an example.
Determine the Must-Have Services
You should also think about the services that you’ll need the new dentist to provide. If you plan on having kids then you’ll need to decide if a family dentist makes more sense for your situation. Another big consideration is the hours that the dentist works.
You don’t want to play a game of phone tag with the new dentist when trying to book an appointment due to hours not matching up. Make sure that you find a dentist that works hours that complement your own schedule in a convenient way.
There are also specialties that you might want in a new dentist when you made the decision to move forward with switching dentists. Things like laser teeth whitening services hold a lot of value to those that want to keep their smiles looking radiant thanks to the nearest dental office.
Notify Your Previous Dentist
This next step might feel a bit awkward but it’s something that needs to be done before you can complete the switch to a new dentist. You’ll need to reach out to your previous dentist and let them know that you’re leaving their practice and looking to make a dental appointment with a new dentist.
You’re not required to take this step but it’s a sign of courtesy and appreciation for your previous dentist and their staff. You should also use this moment to get your hands on your dental records as your new dentist will want that information. It also helps out the staff at that dentist’s office since they’re aware that you’re not coming back.
Remember that you don’t owe them any kind of explanation for why you’re switching dentists. It’s a polite gesture that will help them improve their practice as a whole.
Transfer Your Dental Records
Once you’ve determined who your new dentist will be it is time to transfer your dental records to the new dentist’s office. It’s possible that you’ll need to fill out a release form with your previous dentist before this step occurs. The best approach to take is to speak with your previous dentist to find out if you can authorize the records transfer over the phone.
Attend Your First Dentist Appointment
Now that your new dentist has all of your dental records and you’re scheduled on their books, it’s time to experience your first visit after switching dentists. It’s a good idea to get to the dentist’s office early for your first appointment. Odds are that you’ll have plenty of paperwork to fill out since the new dentist will want all of your relevant information.
The new dentist might also want to take some x-rays of your teeth prior to getting started with the visit. These x-rays will help the new dentist get a clear picture of your overall dental health. They can then use their skills and knowledge to give you the best dental treatment possible.
Enjoy Improved Oral Health
The health of your mouth is tied to your overall health and immune system strength. It’s a no-brainer that you want to take good care of your teeth and gums. Your new dentist now has everything that they need in order to provide you with the highest level of dental care.
The new dentist should have no issues providing dental care to you and your family in a way that is comfortable and safe. You should feel valued each time that you visit the dentist’s office no matter if you’re going for a routine tooth cleaning or a root canal. You might find that the right dentist makes your dentist appointments much less stressful and you’ll love the way your smile looks.
Schedule Your Next Dentist Appointment Today
The thought of scheduling a dentist appointment is enough to fill some people with dread, but that is a clear sign that it’s time to look into switching dentists. Ask for recommendations for a new dentist from friends and family and pair that with online customer reviews. It’s also wise to look into the special services that the new dentist offers to meet all of your dental care needs.
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