People often spend a great deal of time reading reviews of restaurants before choosing their next dinner spot, they test drive a number of cars before choosing the next family sedan, they ask the online neighbors group for a good mechanic, and scour client reviews when choosing a dog sitter. 

We care about whom we entrust our loved ones with, and we care about the quality of food we eat. We want to know the car we choose is dependable and that the mechanic who fixes it will do a great job. All of these things give us a sense of safety and security; the same care and concern should be given to choosing your general dental practice. It’s crazy to think that we may spend more time researching our next hairstylist than finding a Rochester, NY general dentist we will trust with our oral health and well-being. 

What to Consider When Looking for a Dental Practice

Virtually every medical professional has come to learn how valuable good reviews can be; on the other hand, many in the healthcare field have learned how damaging bad reviews can be. Your first step to finding a great family dentist in your area may be to read reviews. After you find a dental practice with consistently good reviews, you will want to consider many other important aspects of your dental care.

When you’re looking for a Rochester, NY, general dentist for you and your family, it’s important to keep a number of factors in mind:

Location, Location, Location

Did we mention location? You will want to find a general and family dentist in the Rochester, NY area that is close to your home, work, or kids’ schools. While it would be great to find one close to all three, you may have to settle for one or two of the three. Maybe find a family dental practice near Elmwood, with an office close to your home and schedule appointments on days the kids are home from school. If you don’t have children, pick a general dentist close to your work, so you can go to your appointment right after work or before you start your workday.

Hours

You’ll want to find a general dentist that has hours that match your work schedule. If you find it very hard to make it to appointments after work, be sure there are plenty of morning hours available. If you take a long lunch, you may be able to get noontime appointments. As you peruse prospective dentists’ websites, be sure to check out their hours and whether or not they offer weekend and/or evening appointments.

You may want to ask about emergency care at the dentist you’re interested in and inquire about how dental emergencies are handled. If a dentist doesn’t have after-hours care, you could find out if you would be seen the next day. If you break a tooth on a holiday, what is the dentist’s policy for making sure you’re taken care of in a timely manner? These are all good questions that any dentist should be happy to answer.

Staff

In addition to a warm, welcoming dental office environment, it’s always awesome to have kind, compassionate dentists, hygienists, and administrative teams on board. Most people don’t love going to the dentist, so being welcomed with a smile is always a positive experience. A good dental team will put the patients at ease and be compassionate and understanding.

The office environment, itself, should be warm and welcoming with some amenities to make your appointment as comfortable as possible. If you’re not one for a lot of bells and whistles and just care about how experienced and knowledgeable the dentist is, then that’s fine, too. Regardless of the amenities offered, be sure you feel welcome at your Rochester, NY general dentist’s practice.

Services

Some dental care practices offer general, cosmetic, sedation, and neuromuscular dentistry services. You may not need anything besides general dentistry in Rochester, NY, but it’s always a good idea to do your homework and find out what the dentist does besides oral exams, dental cleanings, fillings, and periodontal care.

Insurance/Financing Options

If you don’t have great dental insurance, you could ask if there are financing options available for dental care that is more costly than you expected. If you do have insurance, the front desk staff should explain your coverage and any out-of-pocket expenses that you may be responsible for down the road. Don’t feel bad about asking about financing; the dentist and dental team should do everything in their power to make you feel comfortable while in the dentist’s chair and at the front desk.

Book an Appointment with a Rochester, New York, General Dentist Today

If you feel it’s time to get a dental appointment booked, please call Contemporary Dentistry today (585) 244-3337, or you may fill out our online contact form to express interest in scheduling or to simply ask a question. The Rochester, NY, dentists at Contemporary Dentistry have the education, knowledge, experience, and compassion to provide you and your family with expert dental care ensuring the health of your mouth, teeth, and gums for years to come.

With our holistic approach to dentistry, we are concerned with not only your oral health but the health of your whole being. When your oral health is at its optimal level, the health of your body and your mind will be enriched. Please don’t put off your health another day; it’s a new year and time to treat yourself to superior dental care that focuses on your body and mind as a whole.