If you’re looking for a Meyerland dentist, you can speed up your search by:
- Getting a referral from your current dentist (if you’re moving to Meyerland)
- Asking friends, family, or co-workers for suggestions
- Checking your provider directory
- Searching through a general dentist directory online
- Targeting nearby dentists and researching their websites
If you can’t get a word-of-mouth referral for a Meyerland dentist, you may need to contact several practices before you find the right fit for you and your family. To do that, you’ll need to know what services you’re looking for, and whether a particular dentist offers those services.
What to Look for in a Meyerland Dentistry Practice
Meyerland is centrally located in Houston, TX, and is therefore a convenient area for people seeking dental services, and there are plenty of Meyerland dentists to choose from. However, you can narrow down your search by focusing on the following:
Does the dentist take your insurance?
Whether a practice accepts your insurance or not is a primary factor for many patients. Sometimes, you can get this information through a provider directory, but the best way to confirm is to reference the dentist’s website or to call the practice directly.
Before researching insurance, verify that your dental plan covers the service you’re looking for. For example, only some insurance plans cover in-office teeth whitening, while other plans may cover procedures such as dental implants.
What services does the dentist offer?
There are numerous dental specialties, including cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics and so on. If you don’t require specialized services, a general dentistry practitioner or cosmetic dentist will likely be a good fit. If you’re looking for services for younger patients, a family practice is recommended.
Does the practice work with children?
Family practices aim to make the dental experience easier for children, who often experience apprehension. Family dental practices are experienced in meeting the unique dentistry needs of children and providing a positive experience.
How does the practice handle anxious patients?
Dental anxiety affects nearly 40 percent of people to some degree. In about 10 percent of people, dental anxiety is severe enough to cause avoidance and potentially compromise their oral health.
Some practices have measures in place to ensure anxious patients are more comfortable. This includes sedation dentistry, which uses light or moderate anesthetics to ensure comfort. Some practices also invest in technologies such as dental lasers which produce less pain and bleeding.
How does the practice handle emergencies?
If a dental emergency occurs, such as an intense toothache or a chipped tooth, can the practice provide care outside of normal hours? Alternatively, can they provide an emergency referral to patients who need a dentist after regular business hours?
Is the practice conveniently located?
Houston is a large city which is prone to extremely heavy traffic at times. As such, you’ll need a practice that you can reliably get to if you live inside the city. Dentists in the Meyerland area are centrally located and can serve patients in many Houston neighborhoods. Examples include West University, Rice Village, The Heights, Midtown, The Galleria area and Braeswood.
The above questions are important considerations when looking for a Meyerland dental practice.
Interested in Finding a Meyerland Dentist? Check Their Website First!
If you’ve found a Meyerland dentist through a directory or a personal referral, look up their website before making an appointment. Here’s why:
- You’ll know if the practice is taking new patients – Some dental practices update their websites whenever the practice is (or isn’t) taking new patients. Before committing your smile to a particular dentist, a quick look at the practice’s website may confirm if they are taking new patients.
- You may be able to download and fill out new patient forms – And if the practice is taking new patients, you may be able to fill out the required intake forms online. You’ll save time during your initial appointment and ensure your dentist has up to date information.
- You’ll get an idea of the practice’s specialties and technology – Some patients have additional dental needs that only specialists can provide. If a Meyerland dental practice offers specialized services, such as oral surgery, they will be listed on the practice’s website. Something to consider if you’ll eventually need additional dental care, such as orthodontic work, veneers, crowns, or other significant restorations. And if the practice is trained in advanced technologies, like dental lasers, this will also be made obvious on the practice’s website.
- You can verify the dentist’s education and training – Dentists detail their educational history and any specialist training and certifications on their websites. Continuing education is an important part of modern dental care, so many dentists also list additional certifications and professional memberships on their website.
- You can get the practice’s contact information – If you have any lingering questions about the practice, you can find the dentist’s contact information on their website and follow up.
- You can use online reviews as a reference – Online reviews can be a valuable source of information, as long as they are contextualized properly. Beyond considering a practice’s overall review score, check for reviews that directly address your biggest concerns and evaluate those. This could be the quality of treatment, how well the office staff communicates, whether the practice is good with young patients, and so on.
Word-of-mouth, Online Directories and Google Can Help You Find a Reputable Meyerland Dentist
With its accessible, central location, Meyerland is a convenient destination for people all over Houston. It’s also home to many dental practices. If you’re searching for a Meyerland dentist, personal referrals and online searches are great options.