It’s not always easy to tell if a dentist is good or is right for you. After all, there are so many factors that go into whether or not a dentist is “good.” But one of the biggest indicators we have to decide this is their website. Keep reading!
How to tell if a dentist is good from their website
Often, you need to look through a few dental practice websites to determine which one you want to visit. But with the roughly 135,333 dental practice establishments in the country (with 87% of them having a website), you have plenty of options to go through. So, how can you tell if a dentist is good just by looking at their website? Below are a few things to look for, each giving your insight into the dentist’s professionalism, expertise, and personality to help you find the right dental practice.
Range of services
A range of services is another key factor in deciding if a dentist is right for you. A professional and experienced dentist will have a broad scope of service pages, covering different needs and detailing the solutions. This might include things like:
- Preventive care: Routine checkups and cleanings.
- Restorative dentistry: Fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants.
- Cosmetic procedures: Teeth whitening, veneers and Invisalign are examples of treatments that improve the smile.
Staff bios
A well maintained staff bios section can be very revealing. This section usually includes background information on the dentist and their team, giving you an idea of their qualifications, experience and approach to patient care. Look for:
- Education and credentials: A good dentist will show off their credential history and education. This shows they are committed to high standards in the industry.
- Years of experience: It’s good to know how long the dentist has been practicing, experience can positively correlate with their ability to handle a multitude of dental problems.
- Team information: Information about the hygienists, assistants and office staff can give you an idea of the practice environment. A well rounded team that is often a sign of a well-run practice.
Ease of finding contact information
When visiting a dentist’s website the contact information is key. The best websites make it easy for potential patients to get in touch and book an appointment. Look for:
- Phone and email visible: Contact details should be on the homepage or a “Contact Us” page. A phone number and email address should be listed so you have multiple ways to get in touch.
- Online booking: Many dental websites have an online booking system, which makes booking appointments easier for patients.
- Office location and hours: Practice information including address, hours of operation and even a map should be visible. This shows the dentist is responsible at regularly updating their patients with their hours.
Educational content and blog
A good dentist’s website will have an educational section or blog with articles and resources to help patients understand dental care. This content means the dentist is educating their patients which is a great trait for a healthcare provider. Look for:
- Blog posts about dental health: Blog updates about oral hygiene tips and the importance of dentistry.
- Procedure explanations: Some websites have detailed descriptions of common procedures. A dentist that takes the time to explain treatments in simple language is someone that values transparency and communication with their patients.
- Patient guides and FAQs: Having guides or FAQ sections to help patients prepare for procedures or answer common dental questions is another sign of a proactive dentist that wants their patients to feel comfortable with their care.
Before-and-after smile galleries
One of the most valuable parts of a cosmetic dentist’s website is the before-and-after smile gallery. This section shows the real results the dentist has achieved for their patients, particularly in cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening, veneers or orthodontics. When looking at this section look for:
- Good quality photos: Images should be clear, no over the top lighting or retouching. The “before” images should show typical dental problems (e.g. stained, crooked or chipped teeth) and the “after” images should show real improvement.
- Multiple cases: Look for different types of cases, and cases for the treatment you would like to have. If it’s not on their website, ask them to provide pictures for you.
- Case explanations: Many dentists include captions or short descriptions of the treatment. These can give you an idea of the complexity of the cases and how the dentist approached each patient’s problem.
Professionalism in website design
Finally the website design is an important indicator of the dentist’s professionalism. A clean and easy to navigate site suggests the dentist pays attention to detail in their practice and how they present themselves online. Consider this:
- Modern design: A good website will have a modern design that reflects the professionalism of the practice. Old or cluttered websites may suggest lack of attention to detail elsewhere as well.
- Mobile friendly: Mobile phones accounted for 59% of all web traffic. So, a dentist who cares about convenience and modern technologically will hopefully make sure their website caters to the large group of people who look at sites on their mobile devices.
- Easy to navigate: Users should be able to find information about the services, the dentist’s qualifications and contact details. A well-structured site shows the practice is well organized and values the user experience.
If the website doesn’t answer all your questions…
While you should be able to get most of your answers from a good dentist’s website, you may still have questions. If that’s the case, call or email the dental office to ask your remaining questions or book a consultation to meet with the dentist in person. You can then ask questions directly and get a feel for the office environment before committing to treatment.
Visit Dr. Ruiz & Associates, Inc for a dentist in Burbank, CA
Have you checked out our website? Look around if you haven’t! Dr. Ruiz is a renowned dentist, educator, and researcher who is known as a pioneer in supra-gingival minimally invasive dentistry, or “above the gums dentistry.” This is a healthier form of dentistry that protects soft oral tissues and produces results that are long-lasting. Check out our Google reviews and schedule an appointment to come visit our dental office in Burbank!
