When choosing a new dentist you are having to make a very important decision.  You are entrusting this new dentist (with whom you do not have any prior experience with), to help you take care of your dental and oral health. Therefore, before you can find the right dentist it is a good idea to have some basic criteria laid out that is important to you.  Here are some tips that may help you make a list.

1) Location: Finding a dentist that is close to home, work or school will help to make keeping appointments easier.  Also if the dental office is locally to you, you are more likely to maintain regular dental visits.

2) Special Requirements:  What main requirement are you looking for in a dental office? There can be many personal requirements you will need a dentist to be able to provide, such as:

* A dentist who specializes in treating children
* A dentist who specializes in treating patient with dental fears
* A dentist who specializes in treating adults or children with special needs
* A dentist who has a handicap-accessible office
* A dentist who can provide language services or translations when needed.
* A dentist that provides a clean and friendly environment

3) Making Dental Appointments: When looking for a new dental office you want a dentist that is not so busy that you have to wait long periods of time to book an appointment.

4) Office Hours: Know the dentist office hours. You many not want a dentist that is only open M-F 8-5 if those also happen to be your working hours.  Many dentist have latter hours or open on the weekend so this something that is important to ask.