4 Tips to Find a Dentist Near You

Looking for a dentist? Be careful before just hopping on the internet to search for a family dentist nearby.

A quick search for a “family dentist near me” can come up with pages and pages of results, many of which aren’t even relevant. Is that “family dentist near me” really near you? Or will you end up driving across town and missing closer options?

All the confusion can be discouraging when people are looking for dental care, but it’s crucial you don’t delay finding a family dentist. By one estimate, one in five of us already has at least one cavity that isn’t getting treated. That could have long term health consequences.

Use these four tips to find a “family dentist near me” that is truly near you to keep you and your family healthy.

1. Include a City Name

One thing you can do to narrow your search is to include the name of your city. Instead of searching for “family dentist near me,” try looking up something like “dentist in Haymarket VA” or “dentists in Bristow VA.” This will help Google’s search algorithm narrow down your search to these areas.

For even more specificity in your search, you can narrow things down by neighborhood or even use your physical address as a starting point. The more specific and narrow you can get about your search area, the better the result you are going to get when you search for a “family dentist near me.”

2. Get Personal Recommendations

A Google search for “family dentist near me” is a fine starting point, but online searches still can’t completely replace good, old-fashioned personal recommendations.

Neighbors can be an invaluable resource when it comes to finding a great family dentist. They would know better than anyone else how to find a “family dentist near me” because that dentist is near them, too. If you have friends or neighbors in the area who have had dental work done recently, ask them for their recommendations for dentists.

Don’t just take them at their word, though. It is important that you do your own follow-up research to ensure the dentists they recommend are actually right for you and your family. For example, if you need Invisalign, but your neighbors went to the dentist for a root canal, those are very different types of care. Ask why they went to the dentist and not just which dentist they saw.

3. Consider Time of Day

The definition of “family dentist near me” can swing wildly based on the time of day. If you have the luxury of going to see the dentist during the middle of the day, someone across town might end up being convenient and close. But that is not the case for everyone.

Often, people need to sneak in their dental care during a lunch break or sick day. If this is the case, your time might be limited. As such, you may need to expand your search area a little in order to accommodate your time constraints. Finding a dentist you can fit into your schedule is just as important as finding one that is physically close by.

Conversely, if your schedule is more open, having a broader search area could give you a lot more choices. Getting across town while most other people are at work or school could prove to be a quick trip if it means you’ll save a few bucks in the process. Take that into consideration when trying to find the right dentist.

4. Ask Your Doctor

If you already see a family doctor for routine care, you can ask them for recommendations for dentists as well. They may be able to connect you to other doctors nearby, including dentists.

This is also handy for helping to keep all your care in your insurance network. Your doctor is likely to know who is nearby and accepting patients with your needs. Just because they provide a different type of care doesn’t mean they can’t help you find a dentist.

Gather Your Resources

Trying to find a “family dentist near me” can seem daunting. That first search might pull up a slew of search results, some that aren’t relevant, others that are truly “near me.”

Luckily, there are a few ways to narrow down your search and try to find a dentist who would truly be convenient for you and your family. Don’t skip out on your dental care simply due to distance, though. There are plenty of ways to focus your search and find dental care that works for you. Also, don’t forget to ask if the dentist offers HIPAA Compliant Telemedicine & Telehealth options that allows Physicians and Patients to have virtual appointments through audio & video chat from their comfort zone.