It can be nerve-wracking to have to search for a new dentist when your current dentist retires. Worries about being able to "click" with your new dentist and getting used to a new office and staff are common.
How to ease your transition to a new dentist
There are a few ways to make this transition easier.
1) Ask your current dentist for a recommendation or referral.
Your dentist will know of colleagues who practice in a similar way to how you have been treated in the past and may be able to refer you on.
If you are receiving specialized treatment such as orthodontics (braces) or implants, then asking for a referral from your current dentist will ensure that your care continues seamlessly during the transition. Some dentists may choose to complete such treatments before retiring completely instead of referring you on.
2) If your current dentist's practice is being transferred to another dentist, stay on and see the new practice owner/dentist who will be taking over. The new owner usually retains support staff like the front office and dental assistants to make management easier.
3) Ask friends, family or colleagues for recommendations.
The best way to know if a practice would suit you is to speak to other patients of the practice. These patients will be able to share their personal experiences. If you are after specific types of treatment, it is useful to ask around to see if people within your circle of acquaintance have had such work done. If you like what you see, then asking for the dentist that performed the treatment is a good place to start.
4) Search online.
Most dental practices have an online presence that can be filtered by location in search engines like Google. Looking at reviews/websites/Instagram/Facebook is a useful way to find out more about prospective dental practices. If you are after specific treatments, contact the practice that you are interested in to find out if they provide that service. Still, nothing beats a face-to-face consultation to know if a particular practice will suit you.
