When you’re shopping for a dentist, it’s only natural to want to find the right practitioner to meet your individual needs. To do that, you must start by identifying your top priorities. For instance, some patients are looking for a provider for just themselves while others have the entire family to consider and need a dentist who accepts patients of all ages. Others want someone who is skilled with specific services they know they’re probably going to need, like veneers to address one or several aesthetic imperfections.
How do I find the best place to get dental work done?
When you’re shopping for a dentist, it’s only natural to want to find the right practitioner to meet your individual needs. To do that, you must start by identifying your top priorities. For instance, some patients are looking for a provider for just themselves while others have the entire family to consider and need a dentist who accepts patients of all ages. Others want someone who is skilled with specific services they know they’re probably going to need, like veneers to address one or several aesthetic imperfections.
Once you’ve identified exactly what qualities you hope to find, you can do an internet search and read online reviews for first-hand accounts of what to expect.
How much does a dental checkup and cleaning cost in Jacksonville, FL?
The American Dental Association recommends having a checkup and cleaning every six months, but despite this, only about 65% of American adults between 18 and 64 years old have had an appointment in the last year. If you haven’t paid for an examination in a while, it’s natural to have questions about what to expect. For example, many patients want to know how they can expect to pay for a standard visit.
Although it can vary somewhat based on your unique circumstances, on average a checkup and cleaning in Jacksonville, FL ranges between about $200 and $350 with no dental insurance. Most policies include 100% coverage for basic preventative care, in which case you might not owe a single dollar.
What level of education is required to be a dentist?
Did you know that anywhere from 12% to 36% of Americans experience anxiety around dental visits? If you’re overly anxious, you might avoid scheduling appointments, which puts your dental health at risk. Understanding more about your provider’s qualifications can give you some much-needed peace of mind.
Thankfully, all dentists in the U.S. must meet several requirements to be licensed to practice, so no matter what, you’re in the hands of a highly-trained professional. After earning a Bachelor’s degree, they must graduate with a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or a Doctor of Dental Sciences (DDS) degree from one of more than 70 schools accredited by the American Dental Association.
Typically, this advanced education lasts at least 3 years and combines classroom learning with hands-on experience. Then, dentist can opt to focus on one of 12 officially recognized specialties to become experts in specific areas like oral and maxillofacial surgery or pediatric dentistry, for example.
What is the best way to find a dentist who does dental implants?
Dental implants are the only replacement teeth that involve oral surgery, so it’s imperative that you find a skilled provider to place them. It’s often best to find a specialist for this type of work, like a periodontist, prosthodontist, or an oral surgeon, who are more experienced with complex procedures involving your teeth, gums, and jawbone.
If you’re unsure whether a potential provider is qualified, you can ask for their credentials. Typically, dentists are happy to discuss their education and experience with you to set your mind at ease. Dr. Altenbach earned his dental degree from the University of Florida and the Implant Educators Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Implant Continuum before completing certification with the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation.
You can also check to see if they participate in additional trainings or organizations to stay on top of the latest developments in implant technology and techniques. Dr. Altenbach is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, so you know you’re in good hands.
What do you do if you can’t afford a dentist?
Dental insurance can reduce your personal out-of-pocket expenditures for dental care, but our team understands that not everyone carries a policy. We believe that everyone deserves to have access to a comprehensive array of top-quality services, so we offer other ways to help make your services more affordable.
For instance, we’ve partnered with several third-party vendors to offer flexible financial options. If your CareCredit, SunBit, or Wisetack application is approved, you can break up your total invoice into more manageable monthly payments that fit your budget.
You can also join our in-house membership plan for a low annual or monthly fee. Once you sign up, you gain access to basic preventative services and 10% off other procedures without deductibles, waiting periods, or pre-authorizations. No one is denied coverage so you have nothing to lose!
