The American Dental Association has officially declared June to be Oral Health Month, a time where dental professionals, parents, and teachers around the country take a little extra time to discuss the importance of healthy teeth and gums. Of course, one of your most important partners in the pursuit of a strong, beautiful smile is your dentist, and the right one can make a big difference in your oral health long-term. Finding a dentist in your area is easier than ever thanks to the internet, but actually choosing one is much more difficult. Thankfully, you only need to look at a few things on a dentist’s website to help you quickly figure out if they are the best fit for you and your family…

Start Simple

Before you look into a dentist’s qualifications and experience, it’s important to make sure that it will be easy for you to visit their office on a regular basis. Are they located within a reasonable driving distance to your home? Do their hours work with your schedule? If you have dental insurance, do they accept it, or do they offer other alternatives? The simpler it is for you to visit a dental office, the more likely you’ll go there and enjoy the benefits of consistent care.

Check Out Their Services

Every dentist’s website should have a page that displays all of their available services, and you should definitely look at it to make sure a practice will be able to meet your needs. Are you searching for a dentist just for yourself, or your entire family? Are you interested in cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, or need complex restorative work? Or, do you just want a reliable place where you and your children can get your checkups and cleanings? Going over the service page will ensure a practice’s offerings are in line with your oral health goals.

When Reading a Dentist’s Bio, Look for This…

After completing dental school, dentists have the choice to pursue continuing education in order to broaden their knowledge and improve their skills. Make sure this is mentioned in their bio! If it is, that means the particular dentist is always working to get better and will be able to offer the most up-to-date care. Also, keep an eye out for any professional organizations they are a part of–these present additional educational opportunities for dentists to help them refine their abilities even more.

Don’t Forget the Reviews!

You can find online reviews for just about anything these days, and that includes dentists! If you want to see what people really think about a particular practice, take a moment to look over their reviews. Are people happy with the level of care and service they received? Would they recommend a friend or family member visit this practice? Answering these questions will help you get a better picture of what the patient experience is like.

Don’t Be Shy

If you like everything you see on a dentist’s website, don’t hesitate to call and schedule a “Get to Know You” visit. At this appointment, you’ll meet the dentist, their team, get a brief tour of the office, and have the chance to ask as many questions as you like. This is a great way to get a feel for a practice in person and make sure they will actually be the ideal place for you and your family.

The right dentist can make all the difference when it comes to you and your family’s oral health, so taking a little time to find one is definitely worth it! Instead of reading through entire websites, keep your search narrowed to the items mentioned above, and before you know it, you’ll have found your new dental home!

About the Author

Dr. Adam Cohlmia is a family and cosmetic dentist based in El Reno, OK. At his practice, he strives to give his patients smiles that are both healthy AND beautiful, which is why he provides a wide array of services ranging from checkups and cleanings to state-of-the-art dental implants to Invisalign. If you’re searching for a new dentist in the area, he would love to welcome you and your family into his practice, so you’re invited to schedule a consultation any time. For questions, he can be reached through his website.