Why And How To Switch Your Dentist

Moving to a new dental office may feel intimidating or even awkward, but it doesn’t need to be this way. When it comes to dentistry, it’s important that you have confidence in your dentist as well as his or her team. After all you are investing time and money into their practice and should want the best care for your mouth!

Not All Dentists And Dental Offices Are The Same

Some dental offices will be a great fit for you, while others will not. There are many reasons why you may or may not hit it off with certain offices. If you are feeling like it might be a good idea to find a new dentist, here are a few things to consider in making that decision:

1. Your Dental Insurance Has Recently Changed

This may mean different coverage for you especially if your current dentist is not an accepted provider with your new insurance. It’s a good idea to check to see which dentists your insurance participates with.

2. You Want A Second Opinion On Treatment Options

Most dental offices are willing to do a second opinion for you and many of them will do one at no additional charge. This can be a great way to get another professional opinion if you are feeling uneasy about the treatment being recommended.

3. You’re Unable To Get Appointments That Work With Your Schedule

You shouldn’t have to put off getting the treatment that you need because an office doesn’t have the availability that you need. There may be another office in your area that aligns better with your schedule.

4. You Have Recently Moved Or The Office You Go To Is Not In A Good Location For You

Dentistry unfortunately can’t be done over a video chat or via wi-fi. You’re more likely to keep up with routine dental check-ups if it’s not inconvenient to drive to your office. Find a good dentist in your area.

5. Your Current Office Doesn’t Seem To Fit With Your Needs.

Different offices offer different treatments. If you need a dentist that specializes in something specific, this is a great reason to get other opinions and explore your options with a new dentist. Check out our services page to learn more about what we can do to help with all of your dental needs.

Tips For Finding A Good Dentist

• Ask friends and family. They will share what they love or don’t love about their dentist!
• Read online reviews for dentists in your area.
• Look through the list of dentists that participate with your dental insurance.
• Find someone who can do the treatment that you need. Are you looking for a dentist that can see your kids as well as you? Are you looking for someone who can treat gum disease? Finding a dentist that is specialized in what you need can be a great place to start!

I’ve Made Up My Mind To Switch Dentists, Now What?

The first step is to call the new office that you want to switch to and make sure that they accept your insurance (if you have insurance). You will also want to make sure that they are accepting new patients. If they are, then schedule your new patient appointment. Next you will want to call your current dentist and let them know that you would like your records transferred to another office. They usually will need you to sign a release of records and provide them information for new office. Current dental x-rays should be sent over and you can expect to fill out new paper work for the new dentist office. Changing offices should be a smooth and relatively easy process.

Don’t let the anxiety of switching dentists keep you from attaining the best treatment for you and your needs. If you are searching for a dentist in the St. George, UT, Riverside Dental would love to take care of your dental needs and we keep the transfer process really easy for you! To schedule your new patient appointment, call us or schedule an appointment online!