A toothache doesn't care what time it strikes. They have a tendency to pop in at 2AM, with the pharmacies already closed and your pulse going through the roof. If you live anywhere in Richmond, you've likely googled "emergency dentist near me" at one point or another with only one eye open roseneath.
Richmond has grown considerably over the last 10 years. New apartments, restaurants, cafes and, of course, more dental offices have sprung up all over Broad Street and around the West End. While this growth provides patients with more options and shorter wait times, it also makes choosing a dentist feel somewhat overwhelming—like picking a Netflix show from far too many open tabs.
Start by asking yourself what your individual needs are. A chipped filling and a complete smile makeover require very different types of dental care. There are plenty of dentists in the area who specialize in cosmetic treatments such as veneers, teeth whitening and smile makeovers. Other family dentists in the Richmond area handle more everyday procedures, like cavity fillings, cleanings and treating an apprehensive child, with as little stress as possible.
Obviously, what is covered by your insurance plan is another important consideration. It's a mix in the area between dental practices that accept major insurance providers such as Delta Dental, Cigna and Medicaid and offices that may only accept cash or certain PPO plans. Call ahead; don't assume.
Proximity is a bigger deal than people say. The best dentist out in Short Pump may end up being inconvenient if you spend forever in traffic on I-64 trying to get to your scheduled appointments. The location of the practice relative to your workplace or home, or even your child's school, can significantly affect your actual appointment rate.
Reviews may be an useful reference when selecting a dentist, but you have to read them carefully. Practices receiving hundreds of five-star reviews and negative feedback primarily about scheduling and long wait times may or may not reflect the full story. No practice is perfect, and how a practice handles criticism can provide valuable insight into the patient experience.
This sentiment about dental practices in Richmond—often described as "low pressure"—is consistent. I heard more about Richmond practices that don't rely on the high-pressure upselling typical in many metropolitan-area practices during this period than anything else about dental professionals in the West End, just to be precise.