Moving to a different area? One of the most important issues that families face when relocating is finding the right professionals to care for their health -- and this includes their oral health. As with your family physician, it is important to have a comfortable relationship with the dentist who takes care of your family's teeth and oral health. To find the right dentist, the Ohio Dental Association (ODA) offers the following recommendations:
* Ask your former dentist for a referral.
* Family and friends are a good source; if you have relocated because of work, fellow employees or the company benefits person may be able to recommend a dentist they are personally comfortable with.
* Contact the local dental society in your new community - you can call ODA at (614) 486-2700 for the phone number of the dental society that serves your county, or you can find it on www.oda.org.
* Ask your family physician for a recommendation.
* Visit the American Dental Association (ADA) at www.ada.org and use the Find A Dentist service; this service will provide names of member dentists in your area or in the specialty requested. ODA and ADA member dentists subscribe to the profession's Code of Ethics.
The ODA also recommends that once you have selected a dentist, call or visit his or her office to determine:
Are office hours conducive to your work and home demands?
Will they meet the needs of your family?
Is the office convenient to home or work?
Is the staff pleasant and the office efficient?
Is there an after-hours emergency contact?
What are the financial and payment policies of the practice?
Do they accept your insurance plan?
Your new dentist will need a recent dental history for yourself and your family. If you don't have a copy of your patient record, be sure to have the name and phone number of your former dentist so the new office can get the information.
It is also important, dentists say, to have specific health-related information available at your first appointment. This includes information about any health issues such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure -- virtually any disease or health issue -- that you have or are being treated for.
Dr. Thomas Perrino, a general dentist and president of the Cincinnati Dental Society, said it is also important to let the dentist know of any over-the-counter or prescription medications you are taking, as well as the dosage and frequency. And, he said, this includes aspirin and any herbal supplements, herbals or vitamins. "This helps in our treatment and to preventany potential interactions between medications. It is most helpful if the patient can bring in the prescription bottle or have the information from their pharmacist or doctor. We need to know exactly what they're taking." Pregnancy and any artificial heart valves and joints are also patient health conditions a dentist should be advised of, he said.
Perrino said most importantly, when looking for a new dentist, find one with whom you will build a relationship -- and who meets your needs. "If you're looking for basic general care, a practice that specializes in cosmetic dentistry will probably not be for you."
