Dentistry For Non-Professionals

How to Find a Dental Practice

by Claude Sullivan

Whether you have recently moved home or simply fallen off the list of your old dental practice due to non-attendance, you need to find a practice at which you can register and receive treatment. The following tips will help you to find a dental practice for yourself and your family.

NHS or Private?

Most UK dental practices accept both private and NHS patients. However, many dental practices have a waiting list for NHS patients to register. The NHS website has a tool that you can use to find a dental practice near you that is currently taking on new NHS patients.

Don't Dismiss Private Dentists

While some private dental practices are very expensive, some charge prices that are only slightly higher than NHS prices for the most basic care. If you can't find an NHS dental practice that has space for new patients, then private dentistry might be a good and surprisingly affordable option.

Check dental practice websites for pricing information. Most dental practice websites include prices for checkups and common treatments, such as dental fillings. If this information is not available online, get in touch with the dental practice to ask about pricing.

Always Check Reviews

You can search for reviews of dental practices in your area by checking Google Places, Yelp, and other local listing sites. While almost all practices will have a few negative reviews from disgruntled customers, good ones should have plenty of positive reviews to outnumber the negative. Pay attention to how the dental practice responds to bad reviews as well as to the overall rating.

Ask for Recommendations

If you are still not sure which dental practice is right for you, why not ask your friends, family members, or coworkers for recommendations? People who have lived in the area for a while are often the best source of information about local services, such as dental practices.

Check the Services On Offer

If you are looking for a particular type of dentist (e.g. a children's dentist or someone who can put in some dental implants) then you should check that the dental practice you choose offers that service before you sign up with them. If you can't find information about services on a dental practice's website, do not hesitate to call them and ask whether they offer a particular type of treatment. Calling the practice also allows you to assess the level of customer service that the practice provides.

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