It’s no surprise that the first days in a new community are often intimidating. After all, trading in your routines and acquaintances for all new places, uncharted (to you) driving routes, and unfamiliar faces is a lot to take on!
In the midst of the madness, it’s not uncommon for some of the important things we take for granted – like where to go for dental care, from routine cleanings and exams to emergency procedures – to slip through the cracks. To ensure your oral health not only survives your move but thrives on the other side, you’ll want to waste as little time as possible finding a dental practice to meet your (and your family’s) oral health needs.
To help you with this all-important decision, we here at James Lin DMD have put together a short list of factors to consider when choosing a new dentist in a new community.
Local Experiences Matter
Don’t be bashful about drawing on the experiences of your new acquaintances, whether they be neighbors, colleagues, or classmates. The firsthand accounts of individuals far more familiar with your new community than you are invaluable in finding the right dental practice. Do not underestimate the value of these opinions in your search for a dentist. Plus, simply gathering these opinions can offer you the intended benefit of familiarizing yourself with the members of your new neighborhood and maybe even making a couple of friends!
Don’t Underestimate the Internet
The time during and after a big move can be stressful and are almost certainly wildly busy. If you find yourself unable to get out and about and learn about your new community right away, no to worry! You can also leverage the power of the internet to help you identify the right dental care team for you!
Most cities, neighborhoods, and communities have social media groups and websites through which you can gain all sorts of local insights. Like, for instance, where to find the best dentist for you.
Use these online resources to leverage the experiences of others in your area. Through simple internet searches, you can find third-party reviews of local dental practices. From there, quick trips to the websites of the practices and those of insurance providers will allow you to confirm whether a practice accepts your dental insurance. Once you’ve found well-regarded dentists in the area who accept your insurance, look at their credentials and experience (and those of the rest of the team) to further refine your search.
Convenience Is King
Between work, working out, studies, mundane chores, and the dream of much-needed downtime, time is seemingly always at a premium. This is exacerbated in the aftermath of a major relocation. Since you’re unlikely to suddenly find a whole bunch of extra, unused hours in your schedule, efficiency and convenience are crucial. This need to streamline extends to all aspects of life, from your daily commute to selecting your grocery store, gym, and yes, dental office.
Pay particular attention to the factors affecting convenience when choosing a new dentist. This includes hours of operation, whether the practice offers a comprehensive range of services, and, of course, the proximity of the office to your home, office, or school. For instance, the James Lin DMD office is conveniently located at 14777 Los Gatos Blvd, STE 103 Los Gatos, CA 95032, with easy access from cities including San Jose and Cupertino.
If you’re coming to us from San Jose, take CA-17 S. While making sure to take in the spectacular beauty of the Santa Cruz Mountains along the way, keep an eye out for the Lark Avenue exit. If you’re coming from the north turn left onto Lark Ave. (conversely, if you’re coming from the south, turn right) and continue for about a mile, at which point you’ll turn left onto Los Gatos Blvd. and continue for less than a mile, until you see our office on your left!
If coming from Cupertino, take I-280 S through Silicon Valley's iconic technological landscape until CA-85 S. Once you’ve merged onto CA-85 S, continue for about 7 miles, passing the picturesque Vasona Lake County Park along the way, until you see the exit toward Los Gatos Blvd. Keeping left at the fork and following the signs, merge onto Los Gatos Blvd. and continue for about 2 miles until you reach our office.
Trust Your Gut: The Importance of an In-Person Assessment
Once you’ve narrowed your search to the last couple of candidates, schedule in-person visits and consultations to see which office environment and dental team feel best suited to you. During these visits, you’ll take a tour of the office, meet the team, and have a chance to speak with the dentist regarding your personal needs and goals and their approach to dental care and the services offered by the practice.
A Top-Quality Dental Practice in Los Gatos, CA
If you’re new to the area and looking for a top-notch oral healthcare team in Los Gatos, CA with the experience and expertise to meet all of your preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry needs, contact dentist Dr. James Lin and the James Lin DMD team today to schedule a consultation!