how do you go about finding doctors, dentists, orthodontists, etc?

[jft245]

In my small town we don't have many options and my health insurance narrows down the choice of doctors even more, there are only a few in their "network" in my area. As far as my dentist, I hadn't been to one in years and needed to have my mouth checked out after being hit in the face by a co-worker(it was an accident). I went to the first one that could book an appointment and I hit it off with him and his staff so I have started having work done that I had delayed for years.

 

[frankfrank]

When I was looking for a CPA to do my taxes, I went downtown and asked about seven random businesses on the Square, questioning them about who does their taxes, and whether they are satisfied with that person's work. I went with the first accountant who I got collaborating answers about, especially when both mentions of the same guy included comments that they were VERY satisfied.

 

[eloso9]

Well my guy is in the medical field and i needed a good dentist, so i asked him for a good recomendation he dint dissapoint. Try asking friends or maybe family.

 

[unloadonme]

I changed to a new dentist recently because my last one was too far away. I just searched the internet and am very satisfied with the result. Not only is he a good dentist, but he's incredibly hot too.

 

[AlmondMilk]

If I were you, I'd probably punch that friend in the face. I don't know. I think it's common courtesy to say something like, "Just to let you know, he was kind of an ass to me. But that's where I had them done."

As for me, I check online and usually just read the reviews from multiple sites. I know there's a risk that the doctor just doesn't care, but I guess that's the chance I'm willing to take. I've been lucky so far.

 

[fetaby]

It can be difficult to find out because DR's typically will not see you without getting some $ first. But do keep in mind that currently health care in America works very similarly as any other business. It's a voluntary transaction of you paying money for a service. So do keep that in mind when you're out and about. If a DR/Dentist treats you rudely, immediately address the issue. Think about it; if you went to a restaurant and the waitstaff was exceptionally rude, would you continue on with the meal like nothing happened?

But as far as finding one to try out, one is as good as the next. It only takes one pleased idiot to go out and start a positive name for the DR. Doesn't matter the patient was given a placebo, and it was the receptionist that the patient liked, the DR still gets the nod.

 

[star-warrior]

We have the national health service here in the UK, and we go to our nearest medical practitioners clinic. For our dentist, we had to find a clinic by asking NHS for services nearby taking on new patients. Ours is about 25 minutes away by car in the next town. There are opticians in town, and they're always glad to have new trade, it seems, so finding one isn't hard.

 

[Knucklehead]

I've had pretty good luck with Angies list..

 

[Swellegant]

For dentists, I do much as Loki describes: start with my insurance company's list, narrow down by locations that are convenient to me, and then look at Yelp reviews. I found my current dentist that way and quite like him. Before that, I went to my grandmother's dentist, and would still be going to him if he took my insurance.

For doctors, my HMO gave me a listing of doctors who were accepting new patients, I read their web pages, and chose the one that seemed the most interesting or likeable; and though I am not always completely thrilled with his care, he's knowledgeable and reliable... also handsome (which shouldn't matter, but does). If I ever feel like changing docs, I go through the same process.

If you don't have insurance network or HMO systems set up, I wouldn't have any idea. Choosing care is incredibly difficult and hit-or-miss, it's one of the reasons I like having these systems in place: I might not get the very best possible care, but it takes the guesswork out of it, removes the burden of too much choice.

 

[refujiunderground]

I start with a list from my insurance company.

was going to say that. you beat me to it.

but yeah, you can google their names and check the online reviews. however, the only real sure way to finding a good doctor is *sigh* trial and error. it's unfortunate because as you know, when doctors make mistakes such as misdiagnosis, giving you the wrong medication, and etc, it can lead to something very serious. it doesn't matter how good or bad people say a doctor is too. doctors aren't always right. that show mystery diagnosis is proof. sometimes you have to be your own doctor even if you happen to be a hypochondriac. it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[bankside]

The list from my insurance company is "every doctor in the country." Then I'd go to the Medical Association web site listing all doctors including who is accepting new patients. Then I just made an appointment.

You can also just drop in to a medicentre but then you take the rota doctor and may have to wait.

 

[Telstra]

I was wondering where people find their doctors or other medical professionals. I am a little wary of the reviews online because I am always worried that they're fake reviews written by like friends or the doctors themselves so they will get more business or something.

there's always asking friends. but for my orthodontist I made the mistake of asking my friends where they got their braces done (but not what they thought of the orthodontist himself). long story short: orthodontist just does whatever he wants with little input from patient and now I have to redo my braces ...bye bye $4000.

and then what about if I want like some sort of nosejob or something? dont really have friends with nosejobs...what then? (i'm not actually interested in a nosejob...its just a hypothetical lol)

Nose jobe? Do what my friend did.
He did a lot of research online about "nosejob" from many experts.
Then go for appointments and ask questions between two different experts from different companies.
Then he choose the one he feel comfortable with.

* say that you'll wait for second opinions before deciding what you want to do.
He paid for the appointment fee tho.