Licences, location, coverage and the feel of the first call, in the order most people weigh them.
There is no single best dentist, only the one who suits your mouth, your schedule and your budget. A short list of checks makes the choice easier.
Start with the practical
- Is the practice near home or work, and are the hours workable?
- Does it take your insurance, or offer a plan you could use?
- Can it see you for urgent problems, and what happens out of hours?
- Is the building accessible for everyone who will visit?
Check the licence
Every state has a dental board that licenses dentists. Most boards let you look up a dentist by name and see whether the licence is active.
Notice how the first call goes
A practice that answers questions clearly before you are a patient will probably do the same once you are. Ask how long a first appointment takes and what it includes.
Pay attention to how your questions are received. That is the practice you will be dealing with.
You can change
If a practice is not right for you, you can move. Ask for your records and X-rays to be sent to the new practice.
This article is general information. It is not advice about your own teeth; ask a licensed dentist who has examined you.