Are you in need of some dental work?
Maybe you just moved to the Treasure Valley and you’re looking for the best dentists in Boise, Idaho or maybe your old dentist retired or doesn’t suit your needs anymore. Perhaps, you haven’t been able to see a dentist as often as you wish you would have (don’t worry, you’re not alone) and you’ve decided it’s finally time to see a professional.
If any of these sound like you we have some good news: There’s never a bad time to start taking your oral health seriously and find a great dentist. We’re here to help!
We know that researching dentists is stressful. There are so many dentists in Boise, Idaho and the surrounding Treasure Valley to choose from. How do you know which one is going to be right for you and your family? Here are a few tips to help you choose a dentist that you’re going to love!
Start with a Broad Search
When you begin looking for a new dental office you’re going to be overwhelmed by options. This is a good thing! You want to see a range of dentists before you make your decision. Search online for “dentists in Boise, Idaho” so you know who’s around.
If you have a particular type of dental procedure you anticipate having or a specific dental need in mind you can refine your search by adding more specific terms to your search query. For example, if you have young kids in your family you could specifically search for “family dentists in Boise, Idaho” or “pediatric dentists in Boise, Idaho”. If you know you’d like some cosmetic dentistry done you could search “cosmetic dentists in Boise, Idaho”. Maybe you need a dentist that is open at specific times of day or days of the week. In that case, a search such as “dentists in Boise, Idaho open before 8 am” or “dentists in Boise, Idaho open on Fridays” should give you the results that are customized to what you need.
By adding a few of these additional terms to your search, you are likely to see a smaller pool of dentists in your results and it is more likely that you are going to get exactly the kind of dentist you’re looking for.
Look for Reviews and Recommendations
In the internet age, all businesses have reviews and testimonials. The healthcare industry isn’t exempt! You should have no problem locating customer reviews when you do your initial searching.
There are specific websites for reviewing healthcare professionals, but additionally, it is also a great idea to look at Google reviews, Facebook reviews, and Yelp reviews. Online reviews can give you an idea of the overall attitude of the business. Does the business you are researching respond to reviews on some of these pages? If so, you can begin to get a sense of the vibe of the practice.
At Boise Family Dental Care, we work really hard to provide the very best service and care and are proud to have a 4.8 Google rating! At the end of the day, you want to know that there are a lot of satisfied customers.
Ask Friends and Family For Recommendations
While reading online reviews is a great option, it is important to realize that they are basically the opinions of perfect strangers. Before you base your whole decision on the opinions of people you don’t know it makes sense to talk to people you know and trust. You could ask your neighbor, co-worker, local Facebook friends or local Instagram followers what dentists in Boise, Idaho they go to and love. These are the people who know you well enough to know the things that matter to you and your tastes. Knowing these things about you may help them give you a good recommendation that you’re more likely to be happy with. Not only that, they may also be able to steer you clear of local offices where they were underwhelmed or had a bad experience.
Check for Available Services
Not all dentists do all types of dental procedures. Some specialize in dentures or implants, others have a focus on cosmetic dentistry. Some general dentists don’t offer more advanced procedures or do complex cosmetics cases.
If you need a doctor that’s experienced in pediatric dentistry, make sure it’s listed in their available services. If you’re looking to see if a doctor does root canals it is helpful to know that the technical term for doing root canals is endodontics. Likewise, if you need wisdom teeth removed you might see that service listed as oral surgery.
Some general dental offices also offer orthodontic work. Having a dentist that does orthodontics and general dentistry can mean fewer times a parent might have to drive the family to dental appointments because one family member can be seen for an orthodontics appointment while another family member can be getting a cleaning. It’s a dental version of two birds with one stone!
The surest way to know if the dentist you’re considering does the type of dental work you need is to give the clinic a call and ask the receptionist if they do the procedures you’re wondering about.
Thankfully, we’re happy to report that Dr. Crump does a wide variety of dental services including the routine fillings, crowns and bridges, as well as more complex dental services such as root canals, dental implants, wisdom teeth removal, orthodontics, and cosmetic dentistry.
Look at Payment and Insurance Options
Dental care can be expensive and it’s typically not covered by most medical healthcare plans.
For people who have dental insurance, it’s important to know that not all dental offices take all dental insurance plans. If you are covered by dental insurance make sure to check the dentist’s website or contact the clinic directly to see if they take your insurance.
If you’re uninsured be sure to ask about payment plans, discount programs, or treatment financing options. These can help make the cost more accessible.
Discount programs, such as the one we offer at Boise Family Dental Care, work like private insurance in exchange for customer loyalty. After all, if you can see your dentist for a discount why would you go elsewhere? Best of all, these plans are often cheaper than your standard forms of dental insurance.
What these discount plans cover can vary greatly, but many plans can be generous and may cover preventative care like standard cleanings and check-ups 100%. Typically they’ll also offer a range of discounts on restorative care depending on the type of dental work you need done.
Check Their Qualifications
How qualified is your dentist? Are they experienced in the kind of care you’re looking for? Even if an office offers your specific kind of care, the dentist may not have extensive experience in that area yet.
The training for dentists is extensive and licensing for dentists is regulated by each state. Dental school is four years of specific dental training that covers a broad range of topics such as head and neck anatomy, dental anatomy, pharmacology, practice management, etc. Additionally, all accredited dental schools give their students 2 to 3 years of clinical experience in a broad range of dental procedures before they graduate. Some dentists opt to continue their education by doing a residency program or may apply to a specialty program to learn to perform services such as orthodontic work or oral surgery.
Upon graduation, dentists have to take a board examination and also need to be licensed in the state they choose to practice in. As you research dentists you can check with the board of dentistry for your state to see if the dentist you are considering is licensed in your state or if there are any issues regarding his/her credentials.
Finally, it never hurts to ask your dentist about his/her experience. The best dentists will be happy to share with you their achievements!
Look for a Comfortable Experience
Dental anxiety is common amongst both adults and children. Some people have never been able to access dental care or know it’s been too long since their last appointment and that makes the experience more stressful. While dentists aren’t scary, it makes sense that you might get nervous about someone who is going to poke around in your mouth.
If you have dental anxiety you need to know that the environment is going to be warm and comfortable. Reading other patient reviews online can help with this, but it might also help you to visit the office and see how it makes you feel. Are the staff members attentive? Do you get a calming vibe from the atmosphere?
Some dentists in Boise, Idaho, such as Dr. Crump at Boise Family Dental Care, even offer sedation dentistry for anxious patients.
Don’t let anxiety be a barrier that prevents you from getting the dental care that you need. Choose a dental team that can work with your dental anxiety. Dr. Crump would be happy to discuss sedation options and other measures we can take to make you as comfortable as possible each time you visit our office.
Looking for The Best Dentists in Boise, Idaho? We’ve Got You Covered
We know that finding a new dentist can be overwhelming, but when you know what to look for, it’s as easy as browsing websites, talking to people you trust, and calling ahead.
A good dental office will be happy to talk to you about the services they provide, how they handle the financial aspects of care, and more about the doctor. All you have to do is ask!
If you’re on the hunt for one of the best dentists in Boise, Idaho who offers a wide range of dental services, feel free to reach out. We are happy to answer any of your questions and you can schedule your appointment right from our website! We want to give you the smile that you deserve. We’re known for our quality and chosen for our care!
