Finding a dentist accepting new patients can be easier when you know where to search and what questions to ask. Dental practices may have different appointment availability, insurance policies, specialties, and new patient requirements. Online dentist directories, insurance provider networks, local recommendations, and direct calls to dental offices can all help identify potential options.
Start by searching for general dentists in your area and narrowing the results according to your needs. If you require a particular type of dental treatment, searching by specialty may be more appropriate.
Useful places to search include:
The ADA directory includes more than 100,000 dentists and allows searches based on location and other criteria.
Finding a dental office is only the first step. Before scheduling, contact the practice and confirm that it is accepting new patients and that the dentist provides the type of care you need.
Ask about:
Insurance participation can be particularly important because the ADA directory provides filters for different insurance providers.
Several dentists may be accepting new patients, so comparing basic details can help you choose an appropriate practice.
Consider:
The ADA recommends considering your specific dental needs when choosing a dentist, rather than selecting a practice based solely on location.
Once you find a dentist accepting new patients, ask what information you should bring. Providing previous dental records can help the new dentist understand your dental history.
You may want to prepare:
If you have ongoing dental pain, swelling, bleeding, or another concerning symptom, explain it when scheduling so the office can determine how quickly you should be evaluated.Learning how to find a dentist accepting new patients involves more than searching for the nearest dental office. Online directories, insurance networks, local recommendations, and direct calls can help identify suitable options. The ADA's Find-a-Dentist tool allows searches by location and provides filters for specialties, insurance, languages, and distance.