Lots of people moved to Florida this year and many more are coming in by the flocks. Traffic is a lot heavier now than it used to be. Many people moved because other states were just not the right fit for them anymore.
There are so many things to do when you move to a new state and finding a dentist is probably on no one’s list. It certainly never got on any of my lists.
But it’s easier if you do your research ahead of time before you have problems, because that’s when you have the added stress of rushing and your judgement can be off. Your thoughts and actions can be off too of course.
South Florida’s Best Dentists
If you’re living anywhere in South Florida, then you should just like many others visit a Plantation dentist. We’ve never seen a dentist with so many reviews, and so many that are so thorough and carefully written.
You can tell there’s something special going on there. Many people travel from Miami, Stuart, Hialeah, and more to go where they feel comfortable and where they’re treated very well.
Things to Look for
- Pricing
- Dental Insurance
- Financing
- Specialties
Key Things to Remember
Start by searching on Google and looking at the reviews. There are way more dentists in your area than you probably know. The best dentist might not be the biggest.
In fact, the biggest practice isn’t likely to be the best in terms of customer satisfaction. Many times, they’re run by people who know how to get new clients in the door, especially for one off services.
If you search on Google, you’ll get a mix of actual dental practices websites, and then directory listing type sites like Yelp.
Keep in mind that the companies like Yelp edit their reviews and ratings based on what they’re paid.
On Google, you can’t pay to get in the organic section. But what is the best way to do research is looking at the reviews from patients that have visited there.
Google reviews show the pictures and names and you can pretty much tell whether someone is real or fake. Also, you can tell if the review is fake. If it just doesn’t make sense or if it’s stuffed with keywords and out of context, then that’s a red flag.
What Are Your Needs?
Next, determine what your needs are. Do you want a dentist who does general checkups and cleanings? Or do you need orthodontics for yourself or one of your children?
Do some research on all of these dentists in order to make comparisons between them when it comes time to choose which office works best for your family’s individual needs.
Some specialize in restorative work, preventative, periodontist, pediatric, cosmetic, and some can do it all. But you won’t know if they can do it all for your particular needs unless you research them.
Set an Appointment
The next step is to set an appointment. Once you’ve found a dentist, set an appointment to do a regular checkup. You’ll get a good feel for the practice, the people, and the dentist in that first impression if you’re paying attention.
How do the hygienists work? Are they patient with you? Are they rushing to get many cleanings done?
Ask them about their prices in advance about services you may need in the future. A cleaning should cost somewhere around the $200 range.
It should never be more than that.
Ask About Financing Options
If you’re going to need a root canal, crowns, or other expensive procedures inthe future, ask about financing options before you agree to proceed. Many dentists will work with an outside company to offer 0% interest for dental services because they want your business and referrals long-term.
But do not proceed without getting this information first! You don’t want thousands of credit card debt just because it’s easy right now, only to have high-interest rates apply if paid over time.
Be Careful With Discount Dental Offers
There are many discount dental providers out there who claim their prices include cleanings, x-rays and exams all bundled into one. Many dentists have these offers as well.
But if you want to finance, they will not give you 0% interest with credit cards or offer discounts on other services like implants and dentures because these are considered elective procedures. If money is tight, select the lowest priced plan.
It can still be a great deal for what you’re getting in return, just don’t expect anything extra that costs more than $100-200 out of pocket.
Know What You Need Before Selecting Treatment Plans
When considering financing options before treatment begins it’s important to know exactly what specific treatments your dentist recommends doing at each visit so there aren’t any surprises later down the road when it comes time to make payments. This will also help ensure health is maintained over time.