Finding a dentist taking new patients can be easier when you know where to search and what information to confirm before making an appointment. Dental practices can differ in availability, specialties, accepted insurance plans, office hours, and appointment procedures. Online dental directories, insurance networks, local dental societies, and recommendations from friends or family can all help.
Start by identifying dentists near your home, workplace, or another convenient location. You can then narrow the results according to your dental needs.
Useful places to search include:
The ADA's directory includes more than 100,000 dentists and allows patients to search using location information. (findadentist.ada.org)
A dentist appearing in an online search does not necessarily mean the practice has an immediate appointment available. Call or contact the office to confirm current availability.
Ask about:
If you need a particular service, such as orthodontics, implants, or pediatric dentistry, ask whether the practice provides it or refers patients to a specialist.
Once you find several dentists taking new patients, compare the practices based on your individual needs rather than availability alone. The ADA recommends considering factors such as location, office hours, insurance participation, communication needs, and the dentist's professional membership. (mouthhealthy.org)
Consider:
Patient reviews can provide additional information, but individual experiences may not represent every patient's experience.
After finding a dentist taking new patients, ask what information you should bring. Having relevant dental and medical information available can make the first appointment more useful.
You may want to prepare:
If you are experiencing significant tooth pain, facial swelling, bleeding, or another urgent dental problem, tell the office when you call so they can determine how quickly you should be evaluated.Learning how to find a dentist taking new patients involves searching beyond simple location listings. The ADA Find a Dentist directory, insurance directories, local resources, and personal recommendations can all help identify potential practices. The ADA tool also allows searches based on specialty, insurance, language, and travel distance.