How to find a good dentist

[Francis2010]

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[OhioDMD]

When I have a patient moving to an area I am unfamiliar with my recommendation is to contact the periodontal and oral surgery practices in their new area and inform them you are new in the area and would like a recommendation for two or three general dental practices. The practice reccomended most often is a good place to start.

 

[SCDP]

I think with these days, simply typing dentists in [city] on google would help you find a good dentist based on reviews or help you narrow down a list of dentists.

 

[Tooth]

I believe it is best to contact a dental lab. They see the workmanship of what everyone sends in. They can easily judge the skill set that each general dentist produces.

 

[DocJL]

When I have a patient moving to an area I am unfamiliar with my recommendation is to contact the periodontal and oral surgery practices in their new area and inform them you are new in the area and would like a recommendation for two or three general dental practices. The practice reccomended most often is a good place to start.

This is great advice.

I never thought of it.


Being a Fellow in the AGD, I usually tell pts to go on the AGD website and look for Fellows or Masters, while no guarantee they are a good dentist, it does show a certain level of experience and commitment to continuing education.

 

[DocJL]

I can see where you are coming from, but I would disagree with this comment. All the dental lab really sees is how particular dentists cut their crown preps. Not that the lab is even really paying attention to how good/bad a crown prep is when they are focused on constructing many restorations under a tight schedule. Also, many times local dental labs don't service any substantial majority of local dentists, so they wouldn't be able to comment on those doctors that are not their clients.

You disagree because you are not a dentist.

Many do not realize until halfway through dental school how important having good hands is to being a good clinical dentist, and how innate hand skills cannot really be "taught".

One of my dental school instructors once confided to me, right before graduation, that for some graduates, the BEST they will EVER be is the day that they leave dental school.


An experienced, quality oriented lab technician definitely knows which dentists have good basic clinical skills, and which do not.

 

[tooth knockn]

I believe it is best to contact a dental lab. They see the workmanship of what everyone sends in. They can easily judge the skill set that each general dentist produces.

Interesting point....

️

 

[ktran17]

I don't think contacting a dental lab is the way to do things. First off, you're only looking at one aspect of a practicing dentist's skill set. What about treatment planning? Occlusal dynamics, especially for multi unit restorations isn't as simple as sending things to a lab. The good dentists take into consideration other things like occlusal dynamics, CR, aesthetics etc.

I also disagree that hand skills can't be taught. How good you are in dentistry is really based on your work ethic and how much practice you're willing to put in. Seeing my own hand skills transform in 1 year is mind boggling and I know I still have much more room to improve. For any predental students reading, don't let anyone tell you that dentistry is all talent based. I would say patient communication is probably more important, it's also one of the main reason why a patient would decide to choose you as their primary general dentist..

 

[Vapor1122]

I think with these days, simply typing dentists in [city] on google would help you find a good dentist based on reviews or help you narrow down a list of dentists.

Laypeople don't know what makes a good dentist. Google/Yelp, etc. might find the ones with the prettiest offices, shortest wait times, or nicest staff, but unless someone is in the field, they're not going to be able to distinguish mastery from incompetence.

 

[navydentist]

So, I wrote a post on my blog recently about how to find a good dentist. Most of the information came from things I'd learned in dental school. What do you say when a friend asks you for the signs of a good dentist? Just curious. It seems everyone has a different opinion.

If someone has no local references I would recommend contacting a local periodontist or endodontist. They know who's doing the garbage restorative and who's doing the great restorative since the patients are back and forth alot.

I think the other specialists are a little too far removed from general dentistry.

I disagree with the lab tech advice. Based on my anecdotal experience in the Navy, lab techs think a good prep is the one with the fat shoulder margin that makes waxing the tooth easier. But that's a story for another day.

The AGD advice is also good. Most hacks would never go through that process.

 

[navydentist]

Interesting discussion. I would believe someone who personally recommends me
a place as the trust value is higher and moreover I would know for sure that the place is good as someone already has a previous experience at that place. I did the same when I took the advice of my uncle for getting my wisdom tooth removed from a dental care clinic( http://www.pearldentalburlington.com/ ) in Burlington. Hence asking around people you know would be the ideal way.

First post with the link huh?

 

[summitman]

One of our most beneficial sources for customers finding us, is customer reviews on social sites such as Google+. Customers and consumers really trust reviews, and we aim to please every customer in hopes they will share their experience.

 

[AZdoc777]

Anyone want to start a business? The Angie's list of dentists. Could be huge.

Signing up with a dental network that appeals to cash paying customers is also interesting - outside of regular insurance. I'm looking at http://benefitsrus.com/find-a-dental-provider as an example.

 

[FlyingSky]

Lost and insecure, you found me, you found me.

 

[Perry Dontal]

Good point.

I'd tell them to stay away from "Corporate Dentistry". I've yet to see quality from a corporate practice. Ask neighbors, look at reviews, make sure the practice does perio probing and charting. Look for cleanliness.