Finding a Good Dentist in Atlanta
Hey there! Well, in all honesty a decent dentist is as hard to find as a needle in a haystack — in this case on the outskirts of Atlanta. Where do you start with so much options available? Have you ever walked into a dentist office and question yourself, “I wonder if this is where I belong?” I’ve felt that too! So trying to decide who has the best reviews and if your teeth are really in safe hands, it can be a little daunting. But don’t worry! I want to help you through this process, maybe even have a little fun.
Allow me to tell you my story of how I found a dentist that I actually liked here in Atlanta. Spoiler alert: that didn’t just mean choosing a nice looking person off the internet. Here is what you should know, where to check and what to be put off by. When moving to a new city, I foresee some adjustment period so whether you are new to Atlanta or looking for a change — read on!
1. Figure Out What You Need
Stop right there before you hop onto Google or Yelp – figure out what exactly it is that you require. Do you want a dentist able to perform routine examinations and cleanings? Or something a bit more specific — braces or cosmetic? On the surface it sounds pretty simple but plenty of people get stuck because they figured out what they needed after starting to look for it.
At the beginning of my quest, all I needed was a dentist to do cleanings and replace fillings as necessary. But I did have to go in later for a little cosmetic work. If you are aware of your requirements, you will be able to save a lot of time and you can also find the right person for this type of work.
There are many kinds of dentists in Atlanta, from pediatric dentists who have a knack for working with children to orthodontists who can straighten all that crookedness away. The idea is to find someone who can meet your needs, so you don’t have to go changing a dentist every few years.
2. Think About Location
Atlanta traffic is no joke. If you have lived here long enough, you know exactly what I am talking about. Therefore, it affects the dentist you choose. Getting there during rush hour can be a nightmare if your dentist is all the way across town. I did make that mistake once and it was not worth a morning of stress.
Instead, you should be searching for a local dentist in your area or near your work place. If you are Midtown based, and have someone near you do go during lunch or after work. Believe me you won’t regret it, it makes life so much easier!
3. Do Read Reviews, but do not live by them
Online reviews — we can’t live with them, and we can’t live without them. Reading reviews does help, but you have to read between the lines. Find the trends: Are people mentioning that the dentist is gentle, professional and respectful of their time? Or do we see many complaints about discourteous staff and long wait times?
Not all reviews are fair. Reply: A minority left a negative review because they disliked the waiting room or similar details. Prioritize what matters to you—mine was locating a dentist who I felt at ease with and one that treated me like an individual and not just a statistic. I also checked their response to negative reviews – a nice response speaks volumes!
4. Ask Friends and Family
You may receive recommendations from friends and family. One memory I still have is my neighbor at the time loved her dentist so eventually, here recently, I told her lets call up your dentist and see if they can take me on as a new client. That turned out to be a good call.
Once again, which you trust—your friends, family or coworkers—ask them whom they go to. Atlanta may be sprawling, but buzz travels fast. You will get an unbiased review and maybe even meet a dentist who is not popular online but performs very well.
5. Set Up a Consultation First
I wish I knew this before okay! You dont need to pick a dentist blindly without first actually meeting them. Most dentists in Atlanta are happy to provide a consultation so that you can determine whether or not they will be a good fit for you. If I felt comfortable or not, I could tell during the consultation that I would have to continue searching elsewhere.
A consultation assists you to check items such as:
- The office: Your first impression of the cleanliness and comfortability.
- Friendliness of the staff: Is he or she patient, helpful?
- Tech: Do they utilize modern tools?
It all makes a significant difference when you are seated in that chair.
6. Look for Experience
Experience matters when it comes to your health. Look for a dentist who has been practising for several years and has seen many cases like yours. While there are numerous certified Atlanta-denists, all of them may not fit the bill for you.
Check out their credentials. Say you need cosmetic work — find someone who has experience in that, since not every general dentist does veneers or crowns. I used to think that all dentists did cosmetic work, and I learned the hard way. Always ensure they are experts in what you require!
7. Technology and Comfort Count
Nobody enjoys going to the dentist, if we are being honest. However, a dentist using the latest technology can make it so much more bearable. Things like digital X-rays, non-invasive injections and 3D imaging can help a lot. When I went in one time, my dentist used lasers for the more painful tools on my sensitive gums and it was a breeze.
Not every dentist has the latest technology but it is something to look out for if you are nervous about dental work. Oh, it makes real difference—I speak from experience!
8. Think About Costs
Where money is such a big deal, finding an ideal dentist would also be simply about quality and price! How many dentists accept your insurance? Do they offer payment plans? You have to pose these questions immediately. Nobody wants to get a surprise bill, especially when it comes to dental work, which can become rather pricey.
I was shocked to learn how expensive some treatments can be. Always inquire about pricing from the start. Fortunately, I did eventually find a dentist that had payment plans that actually made some sense and this helped tremendously!
9. Trust Your Gut
My advice — and probably one of the gravest tips I can share with you is simply go with your gut. Like the feeling when you meet someone, & it just clicks? And it should be like that with your dentist as well. Any one of these feelings is sufficient that you can keep searching elsewhere if you’re ever rushed, if they seem disinterested or uncomfortable however you’ll know.
I had a dentist like that once, barely any engagement — he was in and out of the room in minutes. No one seemed interested and I never returned. When I finally found a dentist who cared enough to listen and explain all of the options to me, I knew this was the best option for me.
10. Check for Emergency Services
Dental emergencies are rarely a thing you can plan your day around. I have a few of mine–like when I broke a tooth before a weekend getaway. Awful trying to find someone last minute. These days, my dentist offers emergency services or at least has a plan in place if you need help after-hours.
Ask whether the dentist provides emergency care when looking for a dentist. If not, do they partner with someone who does? It is reassuring to know that someone will rescue you if you have an emergency.
11. Communication Style Matters
Some patients want a dentist who is direct and to the point while others like one who explains every detail. Its best to know what is coming, why I need treatment and how I can enhance my dental health. It’s vital that your communication styles mesh, especially if you’re living with a chronic oral condition and will be seeing your dentist regularly.
My first dentist was in a rush and explained next to nothing so I got me another one. My current dentist gives me time to answer all my questions, and it makes a world of difference for me.
12. Be Aware of the Set Up of Office
The office vibe and how welcoming the staff is count for many. Do they put you at ease? Are they welcoming? If you are feeling nervous, a smile and regular greeting does wonders.
I was now looking at the front desk staff — how did they treat me while searching? Were they outdoorsy and type-A? The little details like that makes the difference when you are not excited to visit dental.
13. Check Their Hours
Not everyone works 9-to-5. Like in the case of me, you would require office hours that are flexible. There are dentists in Atlanta who have early and late hours to help those on different types of schedule. I also loved that they had evening hours because mornings do not work for me.
Check that their hours are convenient for you. The appointment process also isn’t easy to fit into our busy schedules—but skipping out on dental care is not an option.
14. Look for Extra Services
While searching for the right dentist in my area, I was blissfully unaware of just how simple it would be to also search out a dental office who offered additional services such as whitening, braces or even sleep apnea treatment. A dentist who can do a lot, you won’t need to go elsewhere for other procedures.
So I ended up with Invisalign at my dentist. This was infinitely more convenient than travelling across town to an orthodontist. If you believe that additional treatments will be necessary in the future, find a dentist office that provides a wide variety of services under one roof.
15. Find someone that is interested in prevention
An excellent dentist will do more than treat issues; they will help you avoid them. I appreciate my dentist being vigilant about preventative care. He tells me that I need to brush better, floss better and what toothpaste i should be using.
And it is not just about curing problems once we encounter them, but also preventing to have such problems altogether. A dentist who takes their time in educating you is one that is doing it right.
Conclusion: Finding a Suitable Dentist.
Doing a little home work to find an excellent dental practitioner in Atlanta is worthwhile. Because trust me, once you are with someone who listens to your needs and fears, that small person in white coat will not feel as scary.
Research your headhunter, get referrals, and if it doesn’t feel right move on. Your teeth deserve nothing less than the best care and with a little experience, you will be able to find the best choice that works for you. Best of luck out there folks in Atlanta!