Tips For Finding A Westwood Dentist That Meets Your Family's Needs
By Nancy Litz
Any move is stressful, and when you are moving from one region of the country to the Los Angeles area, it gets complicated. Making lists work for many. You need to make one that includes all the professional services you are going to need in your new location. This is where you put the doctors, dentists, accountants, and lawyers you want to establish relationships with. For those who consider health care providers partners, finding a good Westwood dentist, who shares your values and philosophy, is very important.
Before you even make your move you can start your search. Asking your current hygienist for recommendations is a good idea. You already know and trust this person. It is entirely possible she will be able to recommend a good match located in your new community. You can always go online and search dentists in the Westwood area. Your new neighbors and co-workers might have useful suggestions.
Once you have narrowed down a couple of possibilities, you should get more specific information. You might want to know which school the individual attended, what certifications he has, and if there have been any complaints lodged against him. You will also need to find out exactly what services he provides.
Unless you plan on paying cash for every visit, you will have to know what insurance his office accepts. If you suspect someone in your family might need several treatments for a particular oral issue, you should find out if payment plans are available. Some dentists accept Medicaid patients, and some don't. If you depend on government assistance for yourself or your child's dental care, this is something you need to know before you make an appointment.
Dental emergencies may be fairly rare, but if it happens to you, you need know if your dentist will be available. Some dentists are available after hours, and some are not. In some communities dentists share responsibilities for emergencies. If one is going to be out of town, for instance, he will arrange for another one to cover for him.
The state of the office will tell you a lot. It should be clean with polished furniture, floors clear of debris, and magazines neatly arranged. The examining rooms, and the equipment in them, should be spotless. If you see hygienists and assistants without protective gloves on, that is a big warning sign that the staff is not careful with patients or themselves.
When you or someone in your family has special needs, you are going to have to ask a lot of questions of the practice staff. First you need to know what kind of experience they have handling special cases. If you ask for extra appointment time, they should give it to you gladly.
Relocating a family is hard work. There are a thousand things to do. One of the first should be finding health providers who are compatible with you and your family members. Doing some research and asking the right questions will make that easier. Otherwise you will end up bouncing from one dentist to another.
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