How to Find Trusted Dental Professionals Near You

You are new to town and need to visit the dentist. Or, you have already gone to a few dental offices but they didn't meet your expectations. So, you start to wonder, what's the best way to find a quality dentist near you? Before we dive into the answers, let’s take a look at the things you should look for in a dental professional:

#1 Identify the validity of their license and whether the license needs renewal.

#2 Determine if they are part of the local dental association.

#3 Go to their office to inspect - pay attention to the equipment, hygiene, and other details.

#4 Ask for experience.

#5 Look for online dental referrals - word of mouth is the most reliable way to secure great care at high-quality dental professional.

If the dentist ticks all the boxes, you are on the right track. But, what is the best way to find dental professional and which one is the most beneficial?

1. Check some of the local websites

Pros: You’ll be able to find reviews or testimonials from people that utilized the services. It will help you decide whether you should trust the professional or not.

Cons: You can never be sure of the truthfulness of these people’s words. Many of the reviews are biased and sometimes paid. You’ll always doubt whether you are dealing with licensed dentist - which is a must-check with any healthcare professional. One of the biggest issues is that you would rely on these recommendations and trust someone with your health by taking their word. There is no absolute guarantee that the professional is that good. In reality, healthcare providers always post the best experiences on their website.

2. Ask a local pharmacist or a doctor

Pros: You will get advice from an experienced professional in the field.

Cons: Services from professionals such as dentists and other physicians are subjective and depend on the individual’s experience and perception. You might not be satisfied with the professional recommended by only one review. Also, you will have to ask other people, and spend extra time to find a dental professional in the area.

Let's say, you've asked for someone to tell you where they usually go and why? The next step would be to visit the office and be upfront about your expectations.

Sounds like too much work? Check out the next step.

3. Go to a Professional Referral Site

Professional referral sites are specifically built to provide referral services. Sites like NetProReferral.com establish the referral network on reliable sources, providing services with a simple registration. Online referral networks spare you of going through the tiring process of searching for a dentist that should be prescreened before the visit. The registration process is easy, and the recommendations are based on actual expert's advice, are not outdated - as you can find in other places - and you can be certain your expectations will be exceeded, without making the extra effort to check their professionalism. People are quite busy these days and going to an online source is the easiest and most efficient way.

This is just one side of the process. For dental professionals, referral marketing is the most important way of attracting new patients. However, patients feel more comfortable when using technology to search for a healthcare professional. Meaning, dentists should get involved in the online method of getting referrals.

Statistics show that annually, nearly 60% of the adults in the US visit the dentist or dental clinic. Get your share!