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Your dental health is a crucial part of your overall health. Even when you brush and floss your teeth daily, you should make regular visits to a dentist for a check-up. When searching for a dentist, you’re looking for a professional who will not only clean your teeth, but also look out for your best interest.
With advanced technology and digitization, it’s now easier and faster than ever to find a dentist near you and even schedule a consultation. If you are looking for a new dentist or you’ve moved to a new place, the internet is your friend. Here are ways to find a dentist online.
How to Find a Dentist Online
- Use Search Engines
This is probably the most basic way to find a dentist near you. Simply search for “your location+ dentist” or “dentist near me.” For example, if you’ve moved to Brooklyn, search for “Brooklyn dentist.”
The search engine assumes a local intent and will display the most relevant results of dentists in your location. You can click on the different sites and look for one that best appeals to you.
- Make Use of Social Media
Most dentists, if not all, have a social media page for their businesses. There are also communities and local groups where you can request the members to refer you to a reputable dentist.
You can also try searching for a dentist’s profile on the social media site and find out about them and maybe get to chat with them.
- Look Out for Advertisements
Digital ads are prevalent in almost every profession, including dentistry. Now and then, there are different dentist advertisements like Facebook ads, YouTube ads, dentist PPC (Pay-Per-click) ads, Google ads, etc.
These ads contain details such as the dentist’s website, contact details, and any other relevant information.
- Don’t Ignore Internet Reviews
These are not to be trusted 100%, as some are left with an ulterior motive, but they’ll give you a glimpse of whoever you’re considering. You’re likely to find a mix of both positive and negative reviews, so you need to decide which side carries more weight.
However, reviews may be misleading. Do not be quick to disregard a dentist just because of two or three bad reviews, but also be careful if several people complain of the same thing.
- Use Online Search Tools
Apart from search engines, some sites offer tools you can use to search for a dentist in a particular location. They include Healthgrades and 1-800-dentist. ADA’s Find-A-Dentist tool allows you to search for a dentist by name, specialty, location, and the distance from where you are.
Others like the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario’s find-a-dentist tool allows you to find a dentist in a specific location only, like Ontario. Here, you will find more specific information about each dentist, including their registration history, professional conduct, academic information, qualifications, and any discipline results.
What to Consider when Finding a Dentist Online
Not every dentist you find will be the best for you. To ensure you get the best, consider these factors:
- The dentist’s availability
- Their specialty
- Office location and working hours
- Qualifications and licensing
- Ability to attend to emergencies
- Office policy on late and missed appointments
- Bills and payment plans
- Cleanliness and safety precautions
- Reviews from other patients
- Can you use your dental cover?
Conclusion
Gone are the days when you had to physically walk into a dentist’s office to schedule your appointment. These days, you can find a dentist online, chat with them, and schedule a consultation. From online searches to social media pages, customer reviews and online search tools, there is a wide range of ways to find a suitable dentist.
