We all know the value of going to visit the dentist. Having a healthy smile not only helps us look more attractive and feel better about ourselves, but good oral health also helps prevent serious health risks like heart conditions. Don’t let finding the right dentist stand in the way of good health. Here are some things to look for when you are looking for a dental health provider.
Go to a dentist who is flexible and can schedule you around your busy life. These days dentists are more open to their clients schedules. Don’t be afraid to ask if the office is open on weekends if that is what you need. If you need major work, such as a root canal, ask the dental provider to schedule you over several days. This usually helps with the anxiety of the work.
A big part of going to the dentist is making sure that your dental plan will cover the services. Before you schedule an appointment, be sure that your dental plan will cover the particular dentist that you are going to visit. Many plans will pay a higher percentage if you visit dentists that are part of a certain network. Be sure to contact the dental plan for verification. Sometimes a dentist will leave a network, and the billing staff may not know.
A great service provided by the dentist’s staff is called a treatment plan. They take all the work that the dentist or hygienist want you to receive and tally up the charges. Then they call your dental plan and find out an estimate of what they will pay. Then you have a comprehensive list of what work should be done and an estimated out of pocket cost. Once you receive your treatment plan, be sure to ask the staff how you are expected to pay our share.
Always choose a dental professional that is certified and licensed with the American Dental Association (ADA). This will ensure that you receive care from a professional who is fully trained and will enhance your dental health. You can also view information about a dentist through a program funded by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services called Health Grades.
Choose a dental provider that is close to your area. Not only will this help save gas and precious time, but you will also be supporting a business who knows and understands your neighborhood.
Going to the dentist also means working with their staff. In some cases, I stopped going to a great dentist because his staff was uncaring and inaccurate. Ask your friends for references and be sure to ask about the office manager and staff. Learn from other people’s mistakes and avoid dental offices with low quality customer service and billing.
Pay special attention to the amount that the dentist is charging for a procedure. Most insurance companies and public assistance plans will only pay for a procedure up to what is called the “usual and customary” charge, or “U & C” for short. This is basically an average of what all the dentists charge for a procedure in your zip code, and it is published annually by the ADA. I always make it a point to ask if a dentist charges over the “U & C” because if they do you will have to pay that amount out of pocket.
John Andersen is the webmaster for TreasureValleyDental.com, which is an online tool to help people search and findBoise dentists. Previous to that, he worked in the insurance industry for 5 years.
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