Angie's LIST Guide to
Dentists

If you haven't visited a dentist in awhile or have moved to a new city, you might not know how to find the most qualified dentist who best fits your needs. Follow these steps:

• Check your plan. If you have dental insurance, your search for a new dental practice starts with the list of providers under your plan and in your network.
• Consult Angie's List. To qualify your list of dental care professionals in your area, check current licensing and review member recommendations, visit angieslist.com.
• Do your research. If you're looking for treatment of a particular oral ailment, consult Healthcare Blue Book, a free online guide that lists fair prices for healthcare services. The fair price is what a health service provider typically allows from insurance companies as full payment, which is substantially less than the billed amount.
• Ask the right questions. When you call a practice, you should verify that the dentist participates in your insurance plan and learn about the financial policies before having any major work done. Comparison shopping is easy to do if you check estimated prices for common services, such as cleaning, X-rays or fillings. You also will want to know how the practice handles emergencies outside of regular business hours and its policy regarding missed appointments. Some prospective patients seek out detailed information on the dentist's training and approach to preventive dentistry. You might also want to ask how long newcomers must wait for a nonemergency appointment.
• Visit the office. A dental practice should not object to visits from a potential patient, so long as your visit falls at a convenient time. This is your opportunity to check whether the office is orderly. The treatment area should look clean. Carpeted walkways and waiting areas should appear free of debris, and the office should offer accessibility for disabled patients. You will also see firsthand how friendly and helpful the dental staff is, and whether they seem professional.