Finding a Los Angeles dentist who you can be comfortable and pleased with should — at least in theory — be as straightforward as looking in your Yellow Pages (or browsing on the Net), or getting a recommendation from a valued friend…

Unfortunately, choosing the right dentist can end up turning into a very overwhelming and painful endeavor… because if you’re not happy with your dentist’s style, then every visit to the dentist will be far more stressful and unpleasant than it truly needs to be.

Happily, finding a dentist doesn’t need to be a stressful or overwhelming task… when you discover the appropriate help, and know what questions to ask. On this website, you’ll find helpful advice to help you discover a dentist who is a great fit for you.

To start, you should probably decide what is most important to you:
- how comfortable you are with the dentist and staff members…
- financial considerations such as insurance coverage, payment options, etc….
- how convenient the dentist’s office is location-wise, in terms of where you live or work…
- whether most of the the most up-to-date dental procedures and technologies are available…
- the hours the dental office is open…
- etc.

For example, if proximity to the dentist and dental office hours are most important for you… then you could find a dentist close to your home or work who can see you at your convenience, whether that is early morning, lunchtime or in the evening. On the other hand, if dentists frighten the daylights out of you, then you may be more willing to travel greater distances to a dentist who makes you feel comfortable and can alleviate your fears of dental procedures.

Finding a Los Angeles dentist who is right for your family is a critical decision which will have a significant effect on the oral health of you and your family. Luckily, this possibly otherwise frustrating job can be made substantially less frustrating, if you prioritize what’s most important to you.

And in the next article, we shall talk about a few of the useful questions to ask, before you actually decide on a dentist.

Once you have narrowed down your list of dentists that seem to match your most important criteria, call their offices to learn more about the dental services they provide. Below you can find a few questions to help get your discussion going:

Inform the dentist about yourself, any specific needs you have, and the services you would like.
• Will the dentist offer possible treatment options for your dental care and explain their costs, benefits and potential negatives so that you can make intelligent choices?
• Ask the dentist to explain the overall goals of treatment. Ideally, he or she should be committed to both your appearance and your overall health. If one or the other doesn’t seem to be important, you may want to consider searching for another dentist.
• What are their office hours, and how is emergency dental care provided outside of those hours?
• What fees are charged for common services such as sealants or fluoride (for children), routine fillings, dental x-rays, root canals, teeth cleaning, crowns, caps and bridges?
• When will payments be due? Some dentists may offer the option to create payment terms if the bill will be over a specific amount so that the dental charges can be paid for over a set period of time instead of in one lump sum. While it may appear easier to use a charge card to pay the dentist bills, the interest charges can turn into a greater financial burden financial burdens later on… especially if you’re already on a very tight budget.
• If you are covered by a dental insurance plan, does the dentist participate in your dental plan? Otherwise, will you have to send claim forms to your insurance company for reimbursement?
• What’s the dentist’s position on missed appointments, and/or canceling an appointment?

In the US and Canada, dentists commonly emphasize practices and services that prevent dental problems or that enable their early detection. For instance, dentists may recommend teeth be cleaned by a dental hygienist on a routine basis (typically twice a year); and x-rays be made of teeth for early detection of caries (cavities), infections, or gum disease (the frequency will depend on your individual health needs). If cavities are discovered during an exam, most dentists will counsel that it be treated immediately instead of holding off with treatment. Again, they put emphasis on treating the problems early to avoid further oral decay.

As a dental patient, you have the right to attentive and respectful service; to be educated about the dental procedures to be used, the anticipated pros and cons of all treatment options; and to be offered an estimate of fees involved with every dental treatment.

Don’t be shy to ask your dentist direct questions if you need more information, and to ask a second (or even third) time if you don’t understand the explanation you were offered. As with any other medical care, you and your dentist share in the responsibility to make decisions about your dental treatment decisions.

If you are dissatisfied with the dental services you receive or have a complaint about your dental care, you can certainly voice your concerns to the dentist, call your state or local dental association or contact your insurance office to resolve the matter. Remember, you could always select an alternate dentist for all your dental needs.

According to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, “Taking care of your mouth, teeth and gums isn’t just a matter of good grooming. It can prevent infections, and maybe even diseases, throughout your body.” Taking responsibility for your dental health now can most certainly pay back huge dividends in your overall health, for the rest of your life.

Once you have narrowed down your list of dentists that seem to match your most important criteria, call their offices to learn more about the dental services they provide. Below you can find a few questions to help get your discussion going:

• Inform the dentist about yourself, any specific needs you have, and the services you would like.
• Will the dentist offer possible treatment options for your dental care and explain their costs, benefits and potential negatives so that you can make intelligent choices?
• Ask the dentist to explain the overall goals of treatment. Ideally, he or she should be committed to both your appearance and your overall health. If one or the other doesn’t seem to be important, you may want to consider searching for another dentist.
• What are their office hours, and how is emergency dental care provided outside of those hours?
• What fees are charged for common services such as sealants or fluoride (for children), routine fillings, dental x-rays, root canals, teeth cleaning, crowns, caps and bridges?
• When will payments be due? Some dentists may offer the option to create payment terms if the bill will be over a specific amount so that the dental charges can be paid for over a set period of time instead of in one lump sum. While it may appear easier to use a charge card to pay the dentist bills, the interest charges can turn into a greater financial burden financial burdens later on… especially if you’re already on a very tight budget.
• If you are covered by a dental insurance plan, does the dentist participate in your dental plan? Otherwise, will you have to send claim forms to your insurance company for reimbursement?
• What’s the dentist’s position on missed appointments, and/or canceling an appointment?

In the US and Canada, dentists commonly emphasize practices and services that prevent dental problems or that enable their early detection. For instance, dentists may recommend teeth be cleaned by a dental hygienist on a routine basis (typically twice a year); and x-rays be made of teeth for early detection of caries (cavities), infections, or gum disease (the frequency will depend on your individual health needs). If cavities are discovered during an exam, most dentists will counsel that it be treated immediately instead of holding off with treatment. Again, they put emphasis on treating the problems early to avoid further oral decay.

As a dental patient, you have the right to attentive and respectful service; to be educated about the dental procedures to be used, the anticipated pros and cons of all treatment options; and to be offered an estimate of fees involved with every dental treatment.

Don’t be shy to ask your dentist direct questions if you need more information, and to ask a second (or even third) time if you don’t understand the explanation you were offered. As with any other medical care, you and your dentist share in the responsibility to make decisions about your dental treatment decisions.

If you are dissatisfied with the dental services you receive or have a complaint about your dental care, you can certainly voice your concerns to the dentist, call your state or local dental association or contact your insurance office to resolve the matter. Remember, you could always select an alternate dentist for all your dental needs.

According to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, “Taking care of your mouth, teeth and gums isn’t just a matter of good grooming. It can prevent infections, and maybe even diseases, throughout your body.” No question, taking responsibility for your dental health now can most certainly pay back huge dividends in your overall health, for the rest of your life.