How to Choose the Best Dentist in Stockbridge, GA
Are you looking for a good dentist in the Stockbridge, Georgia area? If you need quality dental care in the south Atlanta metro but aren’t sure how to vet the many options that are available, read on for our top ten tips on choosing a great dentist for all your dental needs.
1.Read Reviews
The internet is a great place to find information on pretty much anything, including local dentists. A quick Google search for dentists in Stockbridge will bring up many dental practices in the area, along with contact information and reviews from current and former patients. Always read through a dentist’s reviews, both good and bad, to help narrow down your options. The practices with hundreds of 4 and 5 star reviews are a great place to start your list.
2.Ask Friends & Family
Friends and family who live near you are another great source of information about local dentists. Almost everyone visits the dentist at least occasionally, and many people are very dedicated and loyal to their dentists, so there will be no shortage of opinions and advice.
3.Ask Social Media
Social media presents a convenient way to gather information about local dentists from lots of people who live in the area, giving you unique insights and stories that you wouldn’t otherwise get to hear. Join some groups that focus on the Stockbridge area (FB groups and Nextdoor are great local options) and make a post asking for recommendations. Within just a few days (or maybe just a few hours) you’ll have dozens of responses from helpful neighbors with recommendations and maybe a few places to steer clear of.
4.Check Distance & Hours
Once you’ve compiled a list of potential dentists, it’s time to see which ones are within a reasonable travel distance from you and are open when you are available for appointments. Google will once again be quite helpful here, as you can easily see locations, travel times from your home or work and open hours right from their Google Maps listing. Decide how far you’re willing to travel for the right dentist, then eliminate any options on your list that are further out than the time/distance you chose.
5.Review the List of Services
Now that you’ve narrowed down your list based on reviews and location, the next step is to make sure each office offers the services you need. Some dentists specialize in only children or only adults, or may focus on a specific area of dentistry such as orthodontics or endodontics. Check out each practice’s website for a list of their services, and knock the ones who don’t offer what you need off your list.
6.Verify Qualifications & Experience
The next step in finding a great dentist in the Stockbridge area is to check into each dentist’s qualifications and experience. You can usually do this at the same time as reviewing their list of services, as many dentists offer a short biography on their websites in the “About” page or section. This bio often lists all professional credentials and associations the dentist has, along with a history of their dental education. Double check their claims and verify their professional memberships using sites like the American Dental Association Find-a-Dentist. There are also many associations for dental specialties with their own websites and directories that you can search to verify a dentist’s claimed qualifications.
7.Ask About Emergency Care
Dental emergencies happen to everyone at some point, so it’s important to know how a dental practice you are considering will handle emergencies, especially during nights or weekends. Ask about their emergency practices and take note of any special emergency numbers you may need to call during off hours. If the practice doesn’t have a plan in place for emergency situations, you may want to consider a different place.
8.Meet & Greet
Now that you have a list of dentists who check off all the boxes above, it’s time to schedule some quick consultations to simply meet the potential provider. This doesn’t have to be a long, drawn out meeting, but instead a short meet and greet just to make sure you and the dentist “click”. Be clear when calling that you just want to meet the provider and get a feel for the office and atmosphere.
9.Trust Your Gut
The final step in choosing a good dentist in the Stockbridge area is to trust your gut. Sometimes a dentist looks great on paper, but something just doesn’t feel right about them to you. Trust yourself and opt for a dentist that meets all your requirements and fits with your personality.
Frequently Asked Questions About Finding a Good Dentist in Georgia
How can I make sure a dentist I’m considering is properly licensed?
The Georgia Board of Dentistry website offers an online tool to verify a dentist’s license status in the state of Georgia - check it out here.
What are the best sites to view reviews of Georgia dentists?
While there are several sites out there that claim to list the best dentists in Georgia, these are often paid advertisements by the dentists featured or based on flimsy, biased criteria. To find reviews from actual patients, we suggest viewing the reviews listed on Google, Facebook, and Yelp.
Add Advanced Dentistry of Stockbridge to Your Short List
Want to skip the detective work and go straight for one of Stockbridge’s most experienced and professional dental practices? Then go ahead and add Advanced Dentistry of Stockbridge to your short list. With a 4.9 overall star rating on Google, highly qualified dentists and an amazing team of dental staff, a full range of dental services, and the ability to book an appointment online, Advanced Dentistry of Stockbridge is a great choice for adults and children who need quality, reliable dental care.