How to Find a Dentist in Laurel, MD

Appropriate dental care is very important for overall health. Read on to learn about how to find a dentist in Laurel MD.

Maybe you've just recently moved to the area? Perhaps you've lived in the area for years but are no longer satisfied with your dentist? In any case, you're looking for a new dentist in Laurel, MD. 



The question remains, however: how do you find the best dental office for you? Generally speaking, it's as simple as utilizing the following tips. 

Use Google

Whenever you're looking for local businesses or service providers, you should turn to Google first. Google is great in that it can show you every business in your area. All you have to do is type the right phrase into the search box. 

In this case, type "dentist in Laurel, MD" or "Laurel, MD dentist." This should return a list of dentists within a few miles of you, along with reviews and star ratings for each. 



Comb through these reviews and star ratings to determine how these dentists stack up against one another. Then, choose 3 to 5 of your top options and write them down on a piece of paper. You'll need to use these names for the next few steps. 

Look Up Location

As you well know, dentists don't come to their patients. Their patients come to them. In other words, whoever you choose, you will need to drive to their office. 

For this reason, before choosing a dentist, you need to look up their location. This can be done on Google Maps along with a number of other online applications. Not only will these programs show you the location of the dentist but the amount of time it takes you to drive to their office as well. 



We recommend choosing a dentist within 20 minutes of you. Short of having surgery done, there's no reason to scope out a dentist who's farther away than this. 

Ensure Insurance Compatibility

Do you have dental insurance? If so, you had better make sure that your chosen dentist accepts it. Not all dentists do, and if yours doesn't, you could end up paying much more than you would have otherwise. 

See, many dental insurance companies have networks of providers that they work with. If a certain dentist isn't in this network, the insurance company will refuse benefits for carriers who go to that dentist. As such, you need to make sure that your chosen dentist is, in fact, in your insurance provider's network. 

Most insurance companies have "find a dentist" tools on their websites. These allow you to browse in-network dentists in your area. If your insurance company doesn't have one of these tools on its website, you're just going to have to make some calls. 



In any case, before receiving any dental work, make sure to verify insurance compatibility with both your insurance company and your dentist. This way, there's no doubt as to what will and won't be covered. 

Talk on the Phone

If you're like a lot of people, you're not all that crazy about going to the dentist in the first place. That said, you know it's a necessity. As such, you're just looking to choose a dentist who will create a calm and welcoming environment for you. 

The question is: how can do you determine whether a dentist will do this? Well, you could visit the office in person. However, if you don't have time for that, you should make a call. 

Speak with the receptionist and feel out how they interact with you. Are they short with you? Do they answer your questions fully? 

If you're satisfied with your interaction with the receptionist, you might be good to go. Or, you could still have some doubts about the place. If so, ask to speak with the dentist.

 

If your talk with the dentist is a pleasant one, they are probably a good choice. If you feel unheard or unappreciated, you're probably better off going with someone else. 

Ask About Services

Not all dentists provide the same services. Whereas some provide only basic services like dental exams, teeth cleanings, and cavity fillings, others provide every service under the sun, including dental implants, root canal procedures, and more. 

As such, before choosing a dentist, you need to make sure that they can suit your specific dental needs. Most dentists post a list of their services on their websites. If there isn't a list of these services available, you're just going to have to make a call. 



In any case, make sure to ask about your prospective dentist's experience with these services. Have they provided them to many patients, or just a few? Generally speaking, you want to go with someone who knows the service like the back of their hand. 

Inquire About Pricing

Finally, you're going to want to inquire about the price of the services that you require. Dentists' prices can vary wildly, and you want to make sure that you'll be able to pay them. 

Any reputable dentist will give you an estimate of the costs before providing the necessary services. If a dentist won't give you an estimate, they should be avoided entirely. 



Note, when taking costs into account, you need to factor in insurance coverage. Depending on the level of coverage you have, your costs could be wildly different with insurance factored in. 

Need a Local Dentist in Laurel, MD?

If you still need help finding a dentist, we have you covered. Put simply; Garland K. Davis is the dentist you're looking for. The top dentist in Laurel, MD, Dr. David, offers the best in dental treatment and care. 

Our local dental office can accommodate you whether you need a tooth cleaning, a general exam, or something more intensive. 



Contact us today to schedule an appointment!