The American Dental Association offers these suggestions:

– Ask family, friends, neighbors or co-workers for a recommendation.
– Ask your family physician or pharmacist for a suggestion.
– If you’re moving, your current dentist may be able to make a recommendation in the area to which you are relocating.
– Call or write your local or state dental society. They may also be listed in the telephone directory under “dentists” or “associations.”
– Use ADA.org’s ADA Member Directory to search for dentists in your area.

You might want to consider several dentists before making a final decision. During your first visit, you should be able to determine if the dentist you are visiting is the right one for you. Consider the following:

• Is the dentist's appointment schedule convenient?
• Is the dental office easy to get to from your home or job?
• Does the office appear to be clean, neat and orderly?
• Was your medical and dental history recorded and placed in a permanent file?
• Does the dentist provide dental health instruction, such as explaining techniques that will help you prevent dental health problems?
• Are arrangements made for handling emergencies outside of office hours?
  (Most dentists make arrangements with a colleague or emergency referral service if they are unable to handle emergencies.)
• Is information provided about fees and payment plans before treatment is scheduled?
• Is your dentist a member of the ADA? All ADA member dentists voluntarily agree to abide by the high ethical standards reflected in the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct as a condition of their membership.

You and your dentist are partners in maintaining your oral health. Take the time to ask questions and take notes if that will help you remember your dentist’s advice.

The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) are the same degrees with just a difference in wording. Most dental schools award the DDS degree, while others award a DMD degree. The education and degrees are the same.

Any competent dentist will prioritize a treatment schedule to help you distinguish problems that require immediate attention from those that are less urgent. Often, treatment can be phased in over time. Be sure, however, that the dentist helps you understand the consequences of delaying treatment.