Whether you’re moving to a new city or you want to find a new dentist where you live, there are a few things you should keep in mind before making your decision. Most dental offices can provide many of the same services, but there will be differences when you get down to the details. In this blog post, we’re going to review the most common criteria to help you choose a new dentist.

Insurance/ Financial Policies 

If you use dental insurance to pay for your procedures, you’ll want to be sure the office accepts your particular kind. All offices are different, and most don’t take every type of insurance. Insurance is the first thing you’ll want to determine before narrowing down your selection. No insurance? No problem. Check out our In-house Patient Savings Plan. 

Office Hours 

The dentist’s schedule is critical if your job does not give time off for medical appointments. Our office opens at 8 a.m., giving our patients with 9-to-5 jobs the ability to be seen before work. If you have a specified day off from work and an office isn’t open on that day, you’ll want to think about if that is going to work for you. Be sure the dental office will be open during times that you’ll be available. 

Convenience 

How convenient is the dentist’s location? You’ll want to choose a dental office that you can get to in 15 minutes or less in case of a dental emergency. Plus, it is inconvenient to leave work or school for an appointment, only to spend more time driving than at the office. You should not only think about the distance from your home but also consider the distance from other places you frequent, including school or work. 

Clean Environment 

Nobody wants to walk into a dental office and suspect it to be unsanitary. Look at the prominent areas such as dirty floors, walls, and surfaces, and make sure there are no funky smells. Next, be sure that they are wearing clean protective gear. If you get any inkling that it isn’t clean, it probably isn’t clean, and you should go somewhere else. 

Friendly and Courteous 

While this isn’t necessarily a requirement, hostile or rude staff can quickly turn off patients. The team should be friendly and courteous, and you should feel comfortable talking to them or asking for help. Of course, dentists and hygienists get very close to their patients, so it’s best to be working with someone you know is friendly and makes it a somewhat pleasant experience.  

If you are looking for a new North Charleston dentist, look no further. The team at Carolina Family Dentistry is here for all of your dental needs. Just visit our website to make an appointment!