If you're registering with a fresh dental clinic after moving to a new area, then you may be given a choice of dentists. While you may be happy to try any of the dentists in the practice, there are times when doing a little research into your choice is useful.

How can you choose the best dentist for your needs?

Work Out What You Need From the Dentist

There may be times when you want to sign up with a dentist with particular skills or areas of specialisation. For example, if you're currently having a specific type of dental treatment, then it may be worth registering with someone in the practice who focuses on this kind of work.

So, if you need to continue treatment for gum disease in your new clinic, then you might want to choose a dentist that specialises in gum work. It may be that all the dentists in the clinic handle this kind of treatment or that one tends to take on gum diseases problems more than others.

Choosing a specific dentist may also be a good idea if you have other issues. For example, if you suffer from dental anxiety, then you want to work with a dentist who is good at dealing with anxious patients.

If you have children to register, then you may want a dentist who does a lot of work with kids and young people. Older people may feel more comfortable with a dentist who deals primarily with adults.

Ask Around For Advice

If you're new to the area, then you won't know anything about the clinic or its dentists yet. So, tap into the experience of others to get some recommendations. For example, you can ask the following people for their thoughts on local dentists:

Parents in the playground: Your child's new schoolmates will go to local dentists, so ask parents in your class if they use the clinic and which dentists they would recommend seeing.

Neighbours: If you don't have kids and can't tap into the school network, try your neighbours. They may go to the same local clinic so will be able to tell you about their experiences with different dentists.

If you still aren't sure which dentist to pick, then have a chat with the clinic's receptionist. They can help you find the right dentist for your needs, whether you're looking for general or specialist treatments.