Finding a good Aetna dentist in Clinton MD is about more than trusting someone to keep your teeth clean. What you are actually looking for is a healthcare partner. A dentist can help you prevent illnesses and give you greater overall health. Hence, you must make sure that they are good at what they do. While some of that is subjective, there are also some objective measures that you should consider. Take a look at the three tips below to help you get started.
- The Experience and Credentials of the Dentist
In order to become a dentist in this country, someone must first graduate from a dental school and pass practical and written examination. The dentist should list their credentials on their website, or be willing to tell you them, and you should check these with the relevant boards. You should also look into how the dentist has kept up with their continuous education, which is necessary in able to maintain a license.
Once you know about their credentials, you need to find out about their experience. This means thinking about your personal needs first. Some questions to ask yourself, therefore, include:
- Do you need a dentist for a family or just for yourself?
- Do you have special dental requirements such as braces, Invisalign, dental implants, veneers, and so on?
- Do you have a fear of the dentist?
- Do you have difficult working hours, meaning you need someone who is available outside of regular office hours?
- The Dental Office Itself
All good dentists offer free initial consultations. This gives you the opportunity to go on in and see what the office is like. You will get to meet the reception staff, the dental assistants, and the dentist themselves. You need to get a feel for the office, making sure it is clean, comfortable, and hygienic at all times. This is also an opportunity to check whether they accept your insurance, what kinds of payments they charge, how modern and up to date they are, what kind of tools they have, whether you hear other procedures, and so on. Plus, you can check on the location of the office itself.
- How Does the Dentist Fit with Your Needs?
This is a more subjective subject, but there are some objective benchmarks as well. Some of the things that you may specifically need include:
- Dentures if you are aging.
- A wheelchair accessible office if you have a disability.
- General dental care for someone with a dental phobia.
- Orthodontic services for teens.
- Pediatric dentistry for young children.
Finding the Best Dentist
One of the best ways to find a great dentist is to ask others around you. There is no better advertisement than word of mouth. People in your community will know which dentists have a good reputation and which ones do not. By speaking to others and by following the three tips above, you are sure to find a dentist who completely meets your individual needs.