There are numerous family dentists in Houston to choose from, located all over the Bayou City. If you are looking for a new Houston dentist for your family, there are a few ways to help with the search, including:
- Getting a referral from family friends, coworkers or your current dentist (if you are relocating)
- Searching through your insurance provider’s directory
- Comparing family dentists using patient reviews
- Comparing dental practices using their websites
- Visiting the offices of family dentists you are considering
The above tips will help you put together a list of potential Houston dentists. Ultimately, though, the decision will likely come down to the following factors:
- The dental insurance the practice accepts
- The dental services the family practice offers
- The office staff’s friendliness and professionalism
- Where the practice is located
Read on for more details on the search process and what to look for so your family can choose the right Houston dentist.
How to Choose a Houston Dentist for the Family
Here’s a closer look at how to approach the search for a family dentist:
- Get a referral – Ask a trusted family member, friend or coworker for a suggestion on a reputable dentist and your search may come to a successful end right there. However, it’s important to make sure that anyone you ask has a family similar to yours. For example, if you’re expecting to bring young children to the dentist, it’s a good idea to ask people who also have young dental patients.
If your family is moving to Houston from another area, your current dentist may be able to provide a quality referral.
- Search your provider directory – Insurance providers maintain online databases for their in-network family dentists. This can give you a head start on targeting practices that accept your insurance.
- Search other online dental directories – There are a handful of dental and physical directories that can provide additional leads. Two examples are Healthgrades and Open Care, both of which can help Houston families locate a practice close to their home.
- Compare using patient reviews and websites – Patient reviews won’t tell you everything, but they can provide useful clues if you notice a pattern forming. For instance, reviews may reference the practice’s friendliness, professionalism, quality of care, communication, punctuality, and patience when handling young or anxious patients. Any of these may be a deciding factor for your family, and you can get a sense of each through patient reviews.
- Visit the practice – It doesn’t hurt to see the practice in person. Consider dropping in and asking the office staff for new patient forms, which they should be happy to hand over. While at the practice, you can get a valuable first impression of how well it’s run, whether it seems child-friendly, and what services the practice offers.
Review the Websites of Houston Family Dentists Being Considered
A dentist practice’s website will provide all the information people generally need to make their decision. Here are some of the important things to look for when reviewing these websites:
- You can verify the practice’s insurance policies – Family dentists will typically list the insurance providers they accept, if any. They may also detail additional options for self-pay and uninsured patients.
- You can verify the practice’s new patient policies – If the family practice is, or isn’t, taking new patients, it may be communicated on the practice’s website. It can be frustrating finding a promising family dentist, only to find out they are not accepting new patients. Check the website first to avoid hitting this roadblock.
- You can check how the practice handles young patients – Some family dentists offer sedation dentistry to families with young or overly anxious patients. If you’ve got an anxious child, this could be a major help prior to and during treatment. If a family dentist does offer sedation dentistry or other methods to calm patients, the practice will typically mention this on its website.
- You can verify the dentist’s credentials – The practice’s website will list the dentist’s training and credentials, including their education history, specialized training and certifications, and memberships with professional associations.
- You can review the practice’s services – It’s important to choose a family dentist that will provide the services your family will need across time. For instance, younger patients may require braces or other corrective devices as their primary teeth come in (and they experience the occasional mishap). The practice’s website may provide info on what services are available, so you can consider the long-range needs of your family’s oral healthcare.
- You can compare the practice’s hours and location – Houston is a large city, and many prefer to find a family dentist that’s convenient to get to and easy to schedule appointments with. The practice’s website will provide info on both points, so you can easily compare where all of your potential options are located.
A Reputable Houston Family Dentist Can Help Every Member of the Household Smile Confidently
Dentist appointments can be a challenge for families, especially those with anxious young children. However, if you follow the above tips and dedicate time to a brief search in your area, it won’t take long to find the perfect dental practice for your family.