PEOPLE IN RAPID CITY might need to find a new family dentist for all sorts of reasons. Maybe they just moved into the area. Maybe their old one retired. Maybe they’re new parents and need to find one for their child. Whatever the reason is, we recommend not waiting until an urgent dental health emergency pops up before finding a dental practice that fits your needs. Here are five important factors to keep in mind when searching for the best dentist for you.
1. Location, Location, Location!
How close is the practice to your home? To your child’s school or where they play sports? To your workplace? Make sure the distance isn’t so great that making it to twice-yearly checkups will become a major inconvenience. It’s a good idea to decide on a radius that seems doable for you and your family, then determine who the best dentist is within that radius. On the other hand, there might be a practice slightly farther away that is still worth it for other reasons!
2. Reputation Matters
What kind of reviews does the practice have? What are their other patients saying about them? Check out the Yelp and Google reviews and maybe ask around your neighborhood, coworkers, and friend group to see if anyone you know is familiar with that particular practice. While there can sometimes be hidden gems, a lot of good feedback is generally a positive sign.
3. What Specialties Can They Claim?
A family dentist that operates close to you and has fantastic reviews might still not be right for you if they don’t offer some of the services you think you’re likely to need. How good are they with child patients? Do they offer cosmetic treatments? How much experience do they have with root canal therapy or treating gum disease? Do some research into a family dentist’s specialties to see if they’re a good fit.
4. How Well Do They Fit Your Budget?
Sometimes a family dentist’s only flaw is the cost of their services in comparison to your budget, or that they aren’t in your dental insurance network. It’s still important to find a family dentist for regular appointments in this case because those checkups are much easier on a budget than a serious dental problem that could’ve been caught and treated cheaply in an early stage. Finding a budget-friendly dentist is an excellent investment, both financially and in terms of dental health.
5. Patient Comfort
If you aren’t comfortable around a dentist or within their practice, then the other factors might not matter much to you. It’s a good idea to pay a practice you’re considering an early visit just to get a sense of the place and the staff. A good dental practice will always prioritize patient comfort, especially considering how many patients struggle with dental anxiety!
Meanwhile, keep up those oral hygiene habits!
We Look Forward to Meeting You as Your Rapid City Family Dentist!
If you weren’t sure how to start looking for a great family dentist in Rapid City before, we hope we’ve given you a few ideas of where to begin! If you want to learn more about our practice to see if we’re a good fit for you, just give us a call or stop by. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have!
