When selecting an emergency dentist there are several things to consider. It is important to select the right dentist in order to make the process of recovering from a dental accident or infection much easier.

Tips for choosing an emergency dentist

By the time a dental emergency happens, it can be too late to spend time looking for a dentist online or asking a friend for referrals. At this point, people need to address the emergency and avoid the situation getting to a worse stage. Many people wind up at an emergency room, which is not the best choice.

While the emergency room can treat other wounds and injuries, it does not have the tools, equipment or the staff ready to handle dental emergencies. With that in mind, we recommend choosing an emergency dentist before it is necessary. Here are some tips to make it easier to find one:

#1. Look in your city or general area

In a dental emergency, no one wants to drive an hour to find a dentist. It is important to visit an emergency dentist within 20 or 30 minutes from the places that a family visits most often. For example, a dentist can be within 20 minutes of the kids' school and even closer to the house. If a patient has to drive far in an emergency situation, it can only increase stress and anxiety levels, making this an important consideration.

#2. Find one who accepts your dental insurance plan

Ask a dentist if they accept the family dental insurance. If they do not, it is good to know this prior to visiting them in an emergency. The insurance provider can also give a list of dentists who accept the plan and are open to treating patients on an emergency basis.

#3. Inquire about their hours

Find out what hours an emergency dentist is open. If there is a concern that a dental emergency may happen on the evening or weekends due to an event like regularly scheduled baseball games, it is wise to find a dentist who is open during those times. Otherwise, finding a dentist who accepts patients on an emergency basis is likely to do the trick.

#4. Find out what services they provide

Ask a dentist what services they offer. Finding one who treats patients on an emergency basis and also handles dental restorations will make life far easier. For example, if a tooth becomes chipped, it will be necessary to visit an emergency dentist. If that same dentist practices cosmetic dentistry and can restore the tooth using multiple solutions, there will be no need to have the rest of the dental work completed somewhere else.

#5. Ask what ages they treat

Find out what ages a dentist treats before a dental emergency strikes. If they only treat adult patients, visiting the dentist when a five-year-old chips his or her tooth is going to be of no use. Make a point to inquire about the age ranges a dentist cares for so that when an emergency strikes, your family heads in the right direction.

Choose a dentist today

Prepare for a dental emergency by choosing an emergency dentist now and keeping their information within easy reach.