How to find a local dentist in Stamford, CT

Step 1: Ask people you trust

Start with friends, family, coworkers and neighbors. Ask what they like about their dentist and what they would change. Your family doctor or pharmacist may also have suggestions. Personal stories tell you things a website cannot, such as how the team handles a nervous patient.

Step 2: Use directories and reviews

The American Dental Association's Find-a-Dentist tool and your insurance company's provider list can help you build a shortlist of offices near you. Then read patient reviews on more than one site. Look for patterns rather than single comments. Many reviews that mention clear explanations, gentle care and fair pricing are more useful than a perfect star rating.

Be cautious of any list that ranks one dentist above all others, including articles written by dental offices. No one can prove that, so check for yourself.

Step 3: Check the basics

• Is the office close to your home or work, with easy parking?
• Are the hours workable? Do they offer Saturdays or emergency visits?
• Do they accept your insurance, or offer payment options if you have none?
• Do they offer the services you may need, so you do not have to be referred out for each one?

Our Stamford office, for example, is open Saturdays, has complimentary parking on site and accepts many insurance plans and Medicaid through HUSKY Health. You can see the details on our Stamford office page.

Step 4: Call the office

A short phone call is a good test. Was the person friendly and patient? Could they tell you about insurance, new patient exams and costs? Did they offer a time that works? An office that is helpful before you are a patient is more likely to be helpful afterward.

Step 5: Visit and trust your impressions

A first visit is a chance to meet the dentist, too. Notice whether the office is clean, whether the dentist explains what they see on your X-rays and whether you feel comfortable asking questions. You do not owe any office a second visit if it does not feel right.

A new patient visit at our Stamford office includes a thorough cleaning, a comprehensive exam and digital X-rays. We offer it as a $150 special that cannot be combined with insurance. Offers and eligibility are confirmed by the office, so call to check.

Using your insurance without surprises

If you have dental insurance, call your plan or ask the office to check your benefits before you book. Plans differ in what they cover and which offices are in network, and some limit major work such as implants. A good office will tell you what to expect before treatment, not after. If you are paying on your own, ask about payment plans too.

What the search tells you

Your goal is a dentist who listens, explains and respects your time and budget. If you also need major work, such as implants, look at the dentist's training in that area. Our insurance and financing page shows how we handle estimates and payment plans, and our doctor page describes Dr. Kwon's training and teaching.