Looking for a great dentist? Start with a friend's recommendation, then look closely at skill, comfort and how you are treated. Here is a simple checklist to help you compare practices and pick one you will be happy with for years.
Most people find a dentist the same way: they ask a friend or neighbor, "Who is your dentist?" The answer usually comes with an opinion about whether that friend likes the practice. A personal recommendation is a great place to start, but it helps to know what to look for so you can judge for yourself. At Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, PA, many of our new patients come to us through word of mouth, and we work hard to earn those referrals.
What makes a dentist great
Every patient has different needs, but most people judge a dental practice on the same handful of qualities.
Chairside manner
A great dentist listens before talking, explains what is happening in plain language and never makes you feel rushed or judged. You should feel comfortable asking questions, including "Is this necessary?" and "What happens if I wait?"
Skill and training
Ask about education, experience and ongoing training, especially in the kind of care you expect to need. At Southern York Smile Care, Dr. Steven Haywood, DDS, earned a DDS cum laude from the University of Detroit in 1987, completed an advanced residency with the US Air Force and trained in cosmetic dentistry through the NYU Aesthetic Continuum. Dr. Haywood is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, an Elite Invisalign Provider and has more than 35 years in practice. Learn more on the meet the doctor page.
Services offered
A practice that can handle most of your needs under one roof saves you time and keeps your care consistent. Look for preventive care, fillings and crowns, gum care, tooth replacement, cosmetic options and help with emergencies. Southern York Smile Care offers preventive dentistry, restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, Invisalign and emergency care.
Technology
Modern tools can make care more accurate and more comfortable. Ask what a practice uses. Southern York Smile Care has digital X-rays with up to 90% less radiation, the iTero Element 3D scanner in place of messy impressions, an intraoral camera, DIAGNOdent laser cavity detection, Green CT 3D cone beam imaging, air abrasion and the Picasso laser. See our dental technology page for details.
Office atmosphere and wait times
A clean, calm office and appointments that start on time say a lot about how a practice is run. Notice how the front desk greets you on the phone and in person, and whether your first call leaves you feeling welcome.
Location and convenience
A dentist you can reach easily is a dentist you will actually visit. Southern York Smile Care is at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury, PA, convenient for patients from York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County, MD.
Help when something goes wrong
Toothaches, broken teeth and lost crowns rarely happen at a convenient time. A great practice makes room for urgent problems and tells you clearly what to do when you call. Ask how emergencies are handled before you need it. Southern York Smile Care offers emergency dental care, and our article on when to call an emergency dentist explains which problems need same-day attention.
Respect for your preferences
Some patients want the latest cosmetic options. Others want the most conservative care possible, or prefer to avoid certain materials. A great dentist respects those choices. Southern York Smile Care is a mercury-free office with tooth-colored, BPA-free fillings, and offers holistic dentistry for patients who want it.
Payment and financing
Clear, upfront information about payment helps you plan. Southern York Smile Care is out of network with every insurer. You pay at the visit, and the office files the claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. CareCredit and Cherry payment plans are available, and Invisalign can be paid monthly after a down payment. Kelley Fisher, our Patient Care and Treatment Coordinator, can answer questions about plans, insurance and financing. See our financing page.
Questions to ask before you book
When you call a practice, these questions help you compare:
- Are you accepting new patients, and how soon can I be seen?
- How long is a cleaning appointment?
- What happens at a first visit?
- How do you handle dental emergencies?
- Do you offer sedation for anxious patients?
- How does payment work, and do you offer payment plans?
- Can I see before-and-after photos of your work?
At Southern York Smile Care, every cleaning is a full 60 minutes, oral sedation is available for nervous patients, and our smile gallery shows real patient results. For more on comparing practices, read how to choose a dentist.
Signs to keep looking
Just as some qualities point to a great dentist, a few signs suggest you might want to keep searching:
- You feel pressured to agree to treatment on the spot.
- Recommendations are not explained, or you are not offered options.
- Your questions are brushed off.
- Cleanings feel rushed.
- Costs are unclear until after treatment.
- The office feels disorganized or not clean.
Why reviews and referrals matter
Online reviews give you a wider view than one friend's opinion. Read several, and look for patterns rather than a single glowing or angry review. Do patients mention feeling listened to? Being comfortable? Getting good results? Our testimonials page shares what patients say about their visits.
Referrals from friends and family remain one of the best signs of a great practice. Our goal is to give you such a good experience that you want to tell the people you care about. When that happens, it is the best compliment we can get.
A dentist for the whole family
If you are choosing for a household, look for a practice that is comfortable with patients of every age. Southern York Smile Care welcomes children, teens and adults. Our children's dentistry page explains how we help young patients feel at ease, and Invisalign Teen is available for straightening younger smiles without metal braces.
Getting started as a new patient
When you find a practice you like, the first visit sets the tone. Bring your medication list, any recent X-rays and your questions. Our new patient info page explains what to expect.
Schedule your first visit
We would love the chance to become your dentist. Dr. Haywood and the team at Southern York Smile Care welcome new patients from Shrewsbury, York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County, MD. Call (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment.
DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.
Meet Dr. Haywood →
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