For one reason or another, parents often have to find a new dental office. Whether it is because they moved or now they need to consider their children’s oral health alongside their own, it can be a challenging process to find a dental office that works well for the entire family. Some of the most important elements of picking the right dentist are deciding whether your entire family is going to one practice or if you are going to have kids go to one office while parents go to another. There are pros and cons to both options. In this article, we will provide some recommendations for choosing dental practices.
Getting Dental Records Transferred
If you are moving or simply looking for a new dentist that is closer to where you live or provides procedures that you need, you can sometimes have records sent to your new provider. When transferring dental records, contact your new dentist first; they can usually request the records from your old dentist. They may need you to sign a HIPAA records release form, which allows them to contact your previous dentist on your behalf.
Finding A New Dentist that Takes Your Insurance
If you have dental insurance through work or otherwise, you will want to find a dental office in your area that takes your insurance. Whether you are planning to find one office for all of your family or you plan to split your family across different offices based on age, you should find an office that takes your insurance. You can always call a dental office and discuss what plans they offer, or you can check with your insurance company. If your insurance is through work, it can also be helpful to discuss what dentists your coworkers see, since they are likely using the same insurance.
What Procedures/Treatments Will Your Family Need
Kids need a dental office that is designed to take care of kids. Family offices provide treatments for a variety of ages, but it is important to find out if there is an age cutoff. There are some pediatric dental offices that do not work with patients over the age of 18, and there are some general dentists who don’t work with younger children. When selecting a dentist, it is extremely important that they are good with kids, if you are bringing your kids. You want to make sure the treatment rooms, chairs, and team are all designed to take care of children, so that your kids will have positive dental visits.
Beyond this, you should consider whether your family has an interest in cosmetic treatments or will need help with specific restorative procedures like bridges, crowns, and implants. Finding a dentist who provides comprehensive care removes the need for referrals or searches in the future.
Schedule Dental Appointments in Swampscott, MA
For families living in Swampscott and the surrounding towns, our team is here to help you and your kids manage their oral health. Give us a call to schedule an appointment.