Relocating to Las Vegas | Health and Wellness

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Health and Wellness

Quality Health Services for Southern Nevada Residents

With a population of nearly 2 million, Clark County is home to some of the finest hospitals and specialty health-care facilities staffed by talented, recognized physicians and providers. Residents of all ages, from newborns to older adults, have access to a suite of comprehensive services and treatments. In addition, many facilities are newly built, ensuring the most modern and state-of-the-art equipment is utilized. Learn more in this section about specific hospitals and facilities available in the region along with how to find medical providers.

Health care is one of the leading pillars upon which the region is expanding and diversifying its economy. To support this growth, there are a number of teaching institutions in the area specializing in medical and health care education. These include, the University of Nevada School of Medicine, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Nevada State College-Henderson, Community College of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas College, The Academy of Healing Arts, Nevada Career Institute, University of Phoenix-Las Vegas, TechSkills, Apollo College, Touro University and the University of Phoenix.

Important to every community is the infrastructure that supports its services. One important organization is the Southern Nevada Health District, whose mission is to “protect and promote the health, the environment and the well-being of Clark County residents and visitors.” The health district offers services and regulatory supervision that impact the public every day – from the food they eat and the water they drink, to the public establishments they visit, the businesses they operate and the requirements they must meet in order to work in certain industries such as food service and child care.

It is one of the largest local public health organizations in the United States, serving nearly 2 million residents and representing 70 percent of Nevada’s total population. Also, the district is responsible for safeguarding the public health of more than 37 million visitors to Las Vegas each year. In recent years, the role of public health has expanded to include oversight and participation in areas such as bioterrorism, disaster and emergency preparedness.

The community health services division coordinates services and programs including emergency medical services, epidemiology (disease surveillance and control), chronic disease prevention and health promotion, public health preparedness and the Southern Nevada Public Health Laboratory.

The nursing and clinics division provides more than 600,000 public health related clinical services each year at an average cost of $35. Services are provided regardless of a client’s ability to pay, and include administering around 300,000 childhood and adult immunizations each year, sexually transmitted disease treatment and control, tuberculosis treatment and control, well-baby checkups and HIV/AIDS case management.

The Southern Nevada Health District includes Boulder City, Clark County, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas.

Another key group is the nonprofit Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition (SNMIC). The coalition is a unique alliance including health care providers, consumers, committed citizens and government representatives who are partnered together and are concerned about the well being of Southern Nevada residents.

Since its inception in 2002, SNMIC has grown to more than 600 members statewide with 150 of those members serving as professional volunteers who make-up the organization’s task forces. The organization has garnered the attention of all facets of the medical industry over the years including academics, government, civic organizations as well as organizations related to health care in the private sector.

Recent SNMIC achievements include:

SNMIC’s establishment as an official nonprofit organization, on-going recruitment of Southern Nevada’s “who’s who” in healthcare as well as enhanced overall communication efforts.
Establishment of a statewide diabetes and obesity committee (iDO), development of a healthcare database and social healthcare networking resource website as well as the institution of a statewide electronic health record (EHR) initiative program.
Educational seminars developed and hosted by the task force as well as research and development of a RN graduate workplace transition program.
On the education front, involvement in the national Camp Wannabeanurse program and the research and creation of healthcare degree/certificate program brochures used by higher education institutions throughout Southern Nevada.
Recruiting achievements include in-person recruiting efforts at healthcare conferences, collaboration with non-healthcare industries to assist in recruitment efforts.
Outreach achievements include endorsement and support of statewide political candidates who share SNMIC’s values as well as conducting of surveys to gauge legislative concerns among SNMIC members.

For more information, visit SNMIC online at www.snmic.com. There, you find online brochures for those interested in becoming nurses and an online version of the Las Vegas Nursing Directory.

Southern Nevada Full-Service and Specialty Hospitals
Located throughout the region, residents will find facilities of all sizes offering a complete range of medical services. The facility descriptions below will help familiarize you with hospitals, possibly near your new neighborhood.

— Boulder City Hospital
Boulder City Hospital, Inc. is a non-profit Critical Access Hospital, providing for the healthcare needs of Boulder City and other rural areas of Southern Nevada. The hospital provides 24-hour emergency care, inpatient and outpatient surgery, medical surgical and ICU care, skilled nursing and a full host of ancillary services.

— Centennial Hills Hospital
The hospital’s new eight-story facility opened in January of 2008. Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center provides a wide range of medical services and procedures, including outpatient cardiology, outpatient endoscopy, radiology, respiratory, laboratory and pharmacy. With women’s needs in mind, Centennial Hills Hospital provides services, including digital mammography, gynecologic care and gynecologic surgery. Expectant and new moms are offered a range of services, including six labor, delivery and recovery rooms, a 25-bed postpartum unit, a newborn nursery and a Level II newborn intensive care unit.

— Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center
Located in southeast Las Vegas, Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center is a 286-bed acute care facility. Since 1971, Desert Springs has been providing quality healthcare to Southern Nevada residents. On a campus that encompasses more than 451,000 square feet, the hospital provides 24-hour emergency services, including a designated area in the ER to treat less acute patients. The hospital has long been referred to as “The Heart Hospital” by Las Vegas locals, due to its solid reputation as a leader in cardiac care. The hospital is nationally recognized for its diabetes, cardiac and bariatric surgery programs.

Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center is accredited by The Joint Commission, licensed by the Department of Health for the state of Nevada and affiliated with the Federation of American Hospitals, the Association of Western Hospitals and the Nevada Hospital Association.

— Fertility Center of Las Vegas
Under the medical direction of Yale-educated reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Bruce Shapiro, and UCLA-educated reproductive endocrinologist, Dr. Said Daneshmand, the Fertility Center of Las Vegas is the city’s largest assisted reproductive practice. For 11 years, Dr. Shapiro and Dr. Daneshmand have provided hope for couples struggling with infertility. The Fertility Center of Las Vegas is known for its global research innovations and outstanding pregnancy and success rates that provide couples the best chance of parenthood. In addition to facility’s original location in Summerlin, there is a new office in Henderson.

— Flamingo Surgery Center
Established in 1996, the Flamingo Surgery Center is a modern, family-oriented outpatient surgery center providing the highest quality of care in a friendly, personalized setting for those patients whose surgical needs do not require an overnight hospital stay. The surgical center is designed exclusively for outpatient surgery and offers patients a convenient, comfortable and generally less costly alternative to the hospital.

— Fundamental Long Term Care
In Southern Nevada, Fundamental Long Term Care operates numerous patient care facilities, including locations in Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City. Fundamental provides guidance and consultation on everything from how to properly choose the long term facility that’s right for the patient as well as providing patient resources. The company has invested heavily in programs such as continuous educational opportunities and training, which promote quality care delivery to patients.

— HealthSouth Hospital at Tenaya
Located in Las Vegas, HealthSouth Hospital at Tenaya is a 70-bed, long-term acute care hospital. It’s a member of the HealthSouth family of hospitals that provide inpatient rehabilitation services utilizing a network of highly skilled physicians and clinicians working with the latest equipment and technology.

— HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Las Vegas
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Las Vegas is a 79-bed acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital providing a higher level of rehabilitative care to patients who are recovering from stroke and other neurological disorders, brain and spinal cord injury, amputations, orthopedic, cardiac and pulmonary conditions.

— Las Vegas Surgery Center
Specializing in outpatient surgical procedures, Las Vegas Surgery was founded in 1983 and is fully licensed by the state of Nevada and the federal Medicare programs and is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Specialties include anesthesiology, cosmetic surgery, dentistry, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

— MountainView Hospital
MountainView Hospital is a state-of-the-art, full-service medical facility located in the heart of northwest Las Vegas, one of the fastest growing areas in the Valley. With a dedicated and talented staff of employees and outstanding physicians representing 36 medical specialties, MountainView Hospital (MVH) is often recognized for high patient satisfaction and for providing quality and compassionate care to our community for the past 12 years. The hospital is also a member of the respected Sunrise Health System consisting of Sunrise Hospital, Sunrise Children’s Hospital, Southern Hills Hospital, and several surgery and diagnostic imaging centers offering a complete range of specialized and technologically advanced services.

— Nevada Cancer Institute
As the official cancer institute for Nevada, the Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) is home to groundbreaking biomedical research, education and technologically advanced, multi-disciplinary, sub-specialized patient care. The institute is committed to reducing the burden of cancer by pursuing the development of a comprehensive cancer research institute, as defined by the National Cancer Institute. Through the knowledge and expertise of the finest scientists, clinicians, educators and caregivers, the Institute provides hope to communities in Nevada, the southwest and beyond through research, education, early detection, prevention and high quality patient care. NVCI is striving for a future without cancer that is achieved through initiated and collaborative research in basic, clinical and population science.

— North Vista Hospital
Located in North Las Vegas, North Vista Hospital is committed to providing high-quality medical care in a friendly hospital environment. The hospital is five-star rated for maternity and bariatric services by HealthGrades, a ratings service for hospitals nationwide. The medical staff includes skilled, board-certified physicians representing a wide range of medical specialties including heart care, diagnostic imaging, surgical services, women’s health, weight loss surgery and wound care.

— Red Rock Radiology
Red Rock Radiology offers skilled experience, convenience and the latest state-of-the-art technology to serve patients’ imaging needs. All radiologists are board certified and fellowship trained in their specific subspecialties and the technologists are certified in the modality in which they perform. The overall service is enhanced by the cooperative relationship between the physicians and staff with the technology to serve the imaging needs of patients. Its imaging centers offer a no-film environment with a Picture Archiving Communications Systems (PACS) and computerized radiology. The PACS system digitally stores, transmits and displays radiology images allowing for immediate access to patient information and increased efficiency for the staff.

— St. Rose Dominican Hospitals
St. Rose Dominican Hospitals is the only not-for-profit, religiously sponsored hospital system in Southern Nevada and consists of three campuses – Rose de Lima, Siena and San Martín. As a mission-driven hospital system, St. Rose is guided by the vision and core values of the Adrian Dominican Sisters and Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), a system of 41 hospitals and medical centers in California, Arizona and Nevada. Founded in 1986, CHW is the eighth largest hospital system in the nation. As the community grows, St. Rose’s mission is to continue to serve all people in need.

— St. Rose Dominican Hospital
Rose de Lima Campus
The first of the three St. Rose Dominican Hospitals campuses, the Rose de Lima Campus was established in 1947 when the Adrian Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan, purchased Basic Magnesium Hospital from the U.S. government for $1 a year for 25 years. In 1991, a $25 million, four-story expansion was completed.

The 145-bed hospital offers key services including an acute rehabilitation unit, bariatric weight loss surgery program, Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, obstetrical services, palliative care and radiology services along with other services and features.

— St. Rose Dominican Hospital
San Martín Campus
San Martín, in southwest Las Vegas, is St. Rose’s newest hospital, opening in late 2006 with 147 beds. As an acute care facility, San Martin provides has an emergency department, a cardiology/open heart surgery center, a comprehensive range of surgical and rehabilitative services, obstetrical services that include a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, pediatrics and diagnostic imaging, including MRI and CT. For more information, visit strosehospitals.org.

— St. Rose Dominican Hospital
Siena Campus
The Siena Campus was the second St. Rose facility to open in Southern Nevada, bringing much-needed healthcare services to the growing Henderson area in 2000.

The 214-bed facility now serves as a hub for many of St. Rose’s tertiary services. Campus highlights include a cardiology/open heart surgery center, a da Vinci® (robotic) surgical system, emergency department, intensive care unit, Level III neonatal intensive care unit, Level III trauma center, obstetrical services, oncology unit, a pediatric unit consisting of a 24-hour emergency room and intensive care unit and radiology services.

— Sahara Surgery Center
Serving the Las Vegas Valley since 1994, the Sahara Surgery Center provides multi-specialty surgical care. It is accredited by the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care Inc., licensed by the state of Nevada and a provider of Medicare services. Specialties include cosmetic surgery, dentistry, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, general plastic surgery, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology and oral/maxillofacial surgery.

— Silver Hills Health Care Center
Silver Hills Health Care Center is committed to meeting the individual needs of its residents, families and the community. The 118-bed skilled nursing facility is located in a quiet residential area of Northwest Las Vegas where residents enjoy state-of-the-art conveniences in a warm, comfortable, home-like environment.

— Silver Ridge Healthcare Center
Silver Ridge Healthcare Center is dedicated to providing professional, competent and the finest in-house and outpatient physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapy services. Multiple activity services including Wii Habilitation, computer with internet services, satellite television and group programs. The center promotes its “Homeward Bound Rehab” program that encourages residents to return home once therapy is completed. There is also a transitional room for preparation in returning home.

— Southern Hills Hospital
Utilizing advanced digital technology and a top-notch medical staff, Southern Hills Hospital provides the communities of southwest Las Vegas with services for emergencies, OB-GYN, diagnostic imaging, and surgery. Southern Hills Hospital’s intricate network of digitally advanced systems makes for shorter hospital stays and improved patient safety benefits. Southern Hills Hospital is the first institution in the state of Nevada to be recognized by the American Heart Association as a leading hospital in cardiology through their compliance with the “Get with the Guidelines - Heart Failure” program.

In addition, Southern Hills Hospital is a home to award-winning spine physicians from the Nevada Neurosciences Institute. The hospital is also a member of the respected Sunrise Health System consisting of Sunrise Hospital, Sunrise Children’s Hospital, Southern Hills Hospital and several surgery and diagnostic imaging centers offering a complete range of specialized and technologically advanced services.

— Specialty Surgery Center
Las Vegas Surgery Center is a freestanding, multi-specialty ambulatory surgery center where surgeons perform a broad range of outpatient surgical procedures. Founded in 1983, the center is fully licensed by the state of Nevada and is accredited by the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care Inc. Today, outpatient surgery in a freestanding setting grown to be the preferred alternative.

— Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center
Spring Valley Hospital offers quality, compassionate healthcare services to the Las Vegas community. In the heart of the southwest, Spring Valley Hospital offers medical, surgical, 24-hour emergency, maternity, intermediate and intensive care services. The 210-bed acute care facility was the 2005 and 2006 Trailblazer Recipient of the Nevada Governor’s Award for performance Excellence.

— Summerlin Hospital Medical Center
As Summerlin Hospital approaches its 10-year anniversary, the hospital has grown from a 147-bed community hospital to a thriving 281-bed medical center that offers comprehensive services ranging from pediatric intensive care to open heart surgery. Now, the hospital is taking the next step and announcing plans to undergo what will be the largest expansion project to date in the hospital’s history. It will soon break ground on a $100 million expansion project to build a third patient tower and create a larger, more spacious Emergency Room.

— Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center
Now celebrating more than 50 years in the community, Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center provides the most sophisticated, quality healthcare in Southern Nevada. A Consumer Choice award-winning hospital for 13 consecutive years, the 701-bed acute care facility includes comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services such as The Nevada Neurosciences Institute, the region’s first Joint Commission Certified Primary Stroke Center, an American College of Surgeons-recognized Comprehensive Cancer Center, an innovative, full-service Breast Center and specialty services in cardiac, women’s health, pulmonology, critical care, complex surgery and rehabilitation, as well as Level-II trauma and emergency care. The hospital has invested in new technologies such as the da Vinci Robotic® surgery system, Intraoperative MRI machines, Gamma Knife incision-less brain surgery and an exclusive Picture Archiving and Communication System designed to assist physicians in retrieving important patient data.

— Sunrise Children’s Hospital
Sunrise Children’s Hospital is a dedicated specialty hospital of 244 beds offering comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services for infants, children, adolescents and expectant mothers. As Nevada’s only dedicated children’s hospital, Sunrise Children’s staff of pediatric experts includes top physicians, specialists and sub-specialists in pediatric emergency medicine, cardiology and cardiac surgery, oncology, complex surgery, critical care, forensic maltreatment, obstetrics and neonatology. The facility’s services for healing extend through a family-centered care philosophy, where pediatric and neonate nurses, pharmacists, respiratory/physical therapists, social workers and child life specialists treat various aspects of the patients’ lives.

— Surgery Center of Southern Nevada
Surgery Center of Southern Nevada is a multi-specialty ambulatory center located on the southeast side of Las Vegas and shares contiguous space with an acute, long-term care rehabilitation hospital, Kindred Hospital, Flamingo Campus. However, both entities are independent and maintain separate staff.

The facility provides two operating rooms, six pre-op/post anesthesia care unit (PACU) beds, two pre-op bays, front reception /lobby, administrative offices, employee/physician’s lounge, changing areas, decontamination/sterile processing and various other work areas. The case mix includes: urology, pain management, neurosurgery, ENT, orthopedics, general surgery and podiatry. Surgery Center of Southern Nevada is AAAHC accredited and dedicated to delivering the highest quality of patient care.

— University Health System
University Health System is the clinical practice of the University of Nevada School of Medicine. The more than 185 physicians and surgeons of the School of Medicine help advance research, train tomorrows leaders in medicine and provide care throughout Las Vegas, Reno and Nevada.

All School of Medicine doctors are board-certified in their area of medical expertise. More than 120,000 patients a year trust their health to the doctors of University Health System.

Physicians who practice in Las Vegas hospitals and clinics include family doctors, internists, obstetrician and gynecologists, pediatricians, psychiatrists and surgeons. University Health System also offers specialties such as weight loss surgery, neurology, plastic surgery, endocrinology, ENT and maternal fetal medicine.

— University Medical Center (UMC)
University Medical Center is dedicated to providing the highest level of health care possible by maintaining its ongoing commitment to personal, individualized care for each patient. Through the latest treatment techniques, comfortable surroundings and a dedicated staff, that commitment is expressed every day, in every area of the hospital.

UMC is the state-designated Level I Trauma Center for Southern Nevada, as well as the only advanced facility to offer a specialized team of medical professionals prepared to respond to the needs of the severely injured 24 hours a day. UMC also houses the state’s only burn care facility, the Lions Burn Care Center, and operates a comprehensive free-standing unit devoted solely to physical medicine and rehabilitation.

From sophisticated orthopedics and neurological units to our ambulatory surgical center, UMC is dedicated to meeting patients’ health care needs every day by giving technology a tender touch.

UMC Quick Care Centers are conveniently located throughout the community and provide urgent and ongoing care for the entire family with no appointment necessary. Quick Care Centers treat everything from a minor illness or injury to comprehensive everyday health care needs, as well as serving as primary care sites for many HMOs and managed care organizations.

— VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System - Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS) provides healthcare services to more than 35,000 patients yearly, exceeding 300,000 outpatient visits per year. Access to primary care has been expanded to include community-based outpatient clinics in the nearby cities of Henderson and Pahrump. Inpatient services are provided at the Mike O’Callaghan Federal Hospital as part of a VA/Department of Defense (DOD) Joint Venture that is a national model for VA/DOD sharing agreements. Other services provided by VASNHS include psychiatric day treatment, readjustment counseling and outreach for homeless veterans. Southern Nevada is one of the fastest growing areas in the country, and services provided by VASNHS continue to expand to meet the demands of the dynamic growth.

— Valley Hospital Medical Center
Founded in 1972, Valley Hospital Medical Center is a licensed 404-bed, full-service acute care hospital that serves the greater Las Vegas area and the surrounding rural communities of Southern Nevada. The hospital provides comprehensive inpatient, outpatient and emergency care. The Cardiac Center of Excellence offers patients an advanced complete cardiac program focusing on diagnostics and treatment. The HealthPlace for Women and Children provides high-quality care for normal newborn delivery and high-risk maternity and neonatal situations. It features a maternal triage unit, labor, delivery and recovery suites, an antepartum/maternal special care unit, 12 private post-partum suites and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit.

New Health Care Facilities
While the list of Southern Nevada facilities is already impressive, more special care centers are newly constructed. One of the most talked about is the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute (LRBI) with architectural design provided by internationally recognized architect Frank Gehry. Managed by the renowned Cleveland Clinic, the 65,000 square-foot facility located in downtown Las Vegas, welcomed its first patient July 13, 2009.

LRBI is dedicated to the conquest of Alzheimer, Huntington, Parkinson, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and all forms of memory disorders. The institute is a medical-scientific affiliate of Keep Memory Alive (KMA). Both are devoted to the promotion of healthy, vital aging for all citizens of Nevada and seek to enhance the quality of life for the growing number of people with cognitive impairments or dementia. (www.keepmemoryalive.com)

A new Veterans Affairs medical center is now under construction in North Las Vegas. The expansive center broke ground in 2006 with a blessing from the National American Indian Veterans, Inc. With the first two phase of construction finished, the project is expected to completed and opened in 2012. The scope of the center covers numerous services including mental health, rehabilitation clinics, and long term care programs.

Selecting A Physician
Once you’re settled in to your new community, it’s important that you select a doctor for you and your family. Here are a few ideas and suggestions to begin the process:

Consult your company’s health plan and its list of preferred providers who will accept the company’s insurance.
Ask family, friends, neighbors, co-workers or professionals with whom you’re in contact. Find out what they like best and least about their doctors.
Use hospital physician referral services, but keep in mind the services refer you to any of the doctors on staff but do not offer information on the quality of care these doctors provide.
In Clark County, visit the Clark County Medical Society Web site at www.clarkcountymedical.org. Click on “Members” to find a physician by name or specialty.
To search for practitioners in Nevada, check the State of Nevada Board of Medical Examiners (www.medboard.nv.gov). Here you can verify that a medical doctor, physician assistant or practitioner of respiratory care has a state medical license. If you have questions, call them at (888) 890-8210. For inquiries about a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), call the Nevada State Board of Osteopathic Medicine at (702) 732-2147.
Check the “DoctorFinder” service of the American Medical Association at www.ama-assn.org. DoctorFinder provides you with basic professional information on virtually every licensed physician in the United States, which includes more than 814,000 doctors. You can search by doctor name, location or specialty.
Be sure the doctor is board–certified. All U.S. board-certified physicians are listed with the American Board of Medical Specialties (www.abms.org) or call (866) 275-2267. The American Medical Association provides information about U.S. licensed physicians at www.ama-assn.org.

Other online resources, including www.healthgrades.com or www.doctordirectory.com provide search by name, specialty and location.

Physician Referral Services – Las Vegas
Each of the hospitals below provides a physician referral service.

Desert Springs Hospital
www.desertspringshospital.com
(702) 369-7505

Mountain View Hospital
www.mountainview-hospital.com
(702) 233-5474

St. Rose Dominican Hospitals
www.strosehospitals.org
(702) 616-4508

Southern Hills Hospital
www.southernhillshospital.com
(702) 880-2700

Summerlin Hospital
www.summerlinhospital.com
(702) 388-4888

Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center
www.SunriseHospital.com
(702) 233-5454

Sunrise Children’s Hospital
www.SunriseChildrensHospital.com
(702) 233-5437 (KIDS)

University Medical Center
www.umcsn.com
(702) 383-2060

Valley Hospital
www.valleyhospital.net
(702) 388-4888 or (800) 879-0980

Dental Care
Recent studies have pointed out the importance of proper oral hygiene in preventing serious illnesses. Visiting a dentist on a regular basis, at least once a year, is an essential part of maintaining a healthy body. It is also recommended to keep your teeth clean by visiting a dental hygienist at least twice a year to maintain oral health and prevent tooth decay.

— Finding a Dentist in Las Vegas
There are few referral Web sites to assist you in finding a dentist in the Las Vegas area. Visit the Nevada Dental Association at www.nvda.org and click on Find a Dentist. You can also visit the Southern Nevada Dental Society website at www.sndsonline.org and click on the Southern Nevada dental search button.

— What should I look for when choosing a dentist?
You may wish to consider several dentists before making your decision. During your first visit, you should be able to determine if this is the right dentist for you. Consider the following from the American Dental Association:

Is the appointment schedule convenient for you?
Is the office easy to get to from your home or job?
Does the office appear to be clean, neat and orderly?
Was your medical and dental history recorded and placed in a permanent file?
Are special arrangements made for handling emergencies outside of office hours? (Most dentists make arrangements with a colleague or emergency referral service if they are unable to tend to emergencies.)
Is information provided about fees and payment plans before treatment is scheduled?
Is your dentist a member of the American Dental Association (ADA)? All ADA member dentists voluntarily agree to abide by the high ethical standards reflected in the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct as a condition of their membership.

You and your dentist are partners in maintaining your oral health. Take time to ask questions and take notes if that will help you remember your dentist’s advice.

You may want to call or visit more than one dentist before making your decision. Dental care is a very personalized service that requires a good relationship between the dentist and the patient.
^{Source: American Dental Association (ada.org)}