A quick Google search of “Dentists in San Diego” reveals what you probably already knew: there are literally hundreds to choose from! It can be easy to get overwhelmed when you’re new to the area and searching for a dentist for you and your family, or if you have to switch dentists. Here are few tips to make the process a little easier.
Don’t Wait Until You Have a Dental Emergency
It’s difficult to make an informed decision on anything when you’re in pain or in a crisis situation, and choosing a San Diego dentist is no different. If you don’t currently have a dentist in your list of contacts on your phone that you can call in an emergency, start looking now!
Ask Around
Personal referrals are always great! You can get that “insider” information that you won’t be able to get from a dentist’s website or Facebook page. If you have dental insurance through your work, ask your co-workers what San Diego dental office they use that accepts your dental insurance. You could also ask your general practitioner which dentists in the area he or she recommends.
Read the Reviews
Online review sites like Yelp are a great place to go to find out what kind of customer service you can expect to receive from a San Diego dental office. People are quick to complain online if they experience long wait times, unfriendly staff members, or billing problems. You’ll also probably be able to find out if the dentist office tries to “upsell” their patients by pushing voluntary, but profitable, procedures on them.
As you read the reviews, don’t take the word of one dissatisfied customer as gospel, but if you start to see a pattern of poor customer service in the reviews, you might want to keep looking.
Get the Details
Once you’ve narrowed down your search to several San Diego dentists, it’s time to get on the phone or on their websites and figure out which dentist will work best for you and your family. First and foremost, you want to make sure their office accepts your dental insurance, if you have it. If you don’t have insurance, ask about the dentist’s fees for certain common procedures like cleanings, X-rays, and cavity fillings. Find out their hours if you have a schedule that’s somewhat limited, and while you’re at it, find out how they handle after-hours emergency situations. You should also find out what types of procedures the office offers, such as cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, and if they have a dentist that specializes in pediatrics, if needed.
Pay a Visit
When you’re down to your final candidates, go and visit their dental offices. See if things look clean and orderly. Notice how the staff handles patients and phone calls. Are they cheerful and helpful, or do they appear rushed, frazzled, and/or short with people? You can learn a lot about an office through simple observation and a few pointed questions.
Start your search for the perfect San Diego dentist by visiting our business directory.
