When it comes to family dentistry, you shouldn't cut corners. This is how to choose the best dentist for you and your family.

There are almost 200,000 dental practices across the US, employing over 1,140,860 professionals. If you're new to Framingham, MA, it's important to find a family dentistry practice right away. An experienced dentist in Framingham, MA can ensure your family's teeth remain bright and clean.

Not sure how to find the best dentist in town? Read on for the tips you need during your search for dental services!



With these tips, you can find a local dentist without delay.

Consult Other Parents

First, talk to other parents who live in Framingham. It's likely they've gone through the same process of searching for dental care in the past. You can learn from their firsthand accounts regarding local dentists.

As you build a list of personal recommendations, consider asking questions like:

• How long has the dentist practiced
• Where is their practice located
• What services do they offer
• What qualifications do they have
• Did you experience problems with the dentist
• Is your child comfortable with their dentist

Don't forget to ask if the family encountered problems while at the practice. For example, maybe the dentist was unprofessional or unfriendly. Maybe the parent experienced billing and scheduling issues.

These problems could impact your experience as a patient. Remove these dentists from your list of options to ensure you find the best dentist in town.

If you're new to the area and can't gather personal recommendations, start your search online instead. Once you've found a few family dentistry practices in Framingham, check each practice's website. You can also check their Better Business Bureau listing and the dentist's Healthgrades.com listing.

These resources can provide you with access to local patient reviews. Read a handful of reviews from each website. Make sure each family dentist on your list has a glowing reputation. 



If they have serious complaints against them, remove them from your list. Avoid any dentists with medical malpractice suits against them, too. 

Look for Experience

While visiting each practice's website, make sure to visit the "About Us" page. This page should provide information about the practice's history.

First, consider how long the practice has offered services in Framingham. Look for an already-established practice that has earned the love and respect of its patients over time.

A new practice might lead you to experience operational issues. The team might lack hands-on experience in the industry, too. Instead, find an established practice that will operate as a well-oiled machine and team.

Look into the dentist's experience within the industry as well.

Determine how long they've practiced and how long they've owned a family practice. Make sure they have experience treating patients of all ages. If they lack experience treating children, they might not know how to soothe your child's dental anxiety.

Your child's discomfort around the dentist might make it more difficult for them to receive the care they need. 

Looking for a dental team with years of experience offering dental services will give you peace of mind. You'll know your entire family is in the best possible hands. 

Check Their Credentials

It's not enough to find an experienced dental team, though. You should also look into the entire team's credentials.

First, determine where the dentist completed their education. If it's not an accredited institution, remove them from your list. Make a note of when they graduated.

Try to find someone who graduated years ago (and therefore has more hands-on experience in the industry). Look into the courses they completed and make a note of the additional training they completed. For example, perhaps the dentist completed additional courses long after graduating.

Look for a dentist who remains informed of new techniques, technology, and procedures. These dentists are more likely to offer up-to-date services, which can better ensure your family's comfort. If they're using outdated practices, it could do more harm than good.

During your search for a family dentist, consider what courses the dentist completed that are relevant to child care. For example, perhaps they completed courses relevant to child development. These dentists will have a better understanding of your child's needs and growth.

 

Perhaps they took child psychology courses as well. These dentists will have an easier time ensuring your child's comfort.

Review Their Services

Visit the practice's website to determine what dental services they offer. For example, their services might include:

• General dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Emergency dentistry
• Cosmetic dentistry
• Restorative dentistry

If you can, find a dentist who provides a range of different services. You'll only need to visit one practice, regardless of the situation. 



Consider your family's distinct needs, too. For example, perhaps a family member needs restorative dentistry in the future. If the practice doesn't offer the services you need, keep searching.

Schedule a Consultation

Schedule a consultation with a dentist in Framingham, MA. Prepare a list of questions you want to ask ahead of time regarding their:

• Training, education, and qualifications
• Experience
• Dental team
• Dental services

For example, perhaps you're concerned about emergencies. Discuss what constitutes a dental emergency. Maybe you want to review your options for cosmetic dentistry instead.



During the appointment, consider how the dentist acts and speaks. Make sure you're comfortable around them. If you find them off-putting, the rest of your family might as well. 

Compare Costs

Consult three local dental practices and ask for an itemized list of the dental services they offer. Requesting estimates from more than one practice will help you better understand the average cost of services in Framingham. If one practice has outrageously different prices than the result, determine why that is.

Determine which practices will accept your dental insurance, too.

Then, review your notes. Don't make the mistake of choosing cheap dental care. Instead, prioritize finding the best dentist in Framingham, MA.



They'll have your family's best interests in mind.

Family Dentistry: Find Your Dentist in Framingham, MA Today

Finding a dentist in Framingham, MA shouldn't feel stressful. Instead, use these tips to find a family dentistry practice you can depend on. With these tips, you can narrow down your many choices with ease. 

Want to talk to a local dentist about your family's oral health? We're here to help.



Request an appointment today to get started.