Question 3 

 

I want to find a new dentist. How can I find one, and how can I get my records transferred?

You may find yourself in need of a new dentist for a number of reasons C you may have moved, your dentist may have retired or re-located, you may need a dentist with more flexible hours, or you may require a second opinion. The first step in choosing a new dentist is to list your needs, which might include:

- location,

- hours of practice,

- language(s) spoken,

- generalist or specialist practice.

Ask your family and friends if they can recommend a dentist. Other members of your community, such as your doctor, may be able to offer suggestions. Some provincial dental associations have Web sites that allow you to search for a dentist in your area, or you can call your provincial dental association and local dental society for leads. Your local society should be listed in the Yellow Pages. Yellow Pages advertising may also prove helpful. It will list each dentist's location, and may include other details that will help you in your search.

Once you have narrowed your list to two or three names, call the dentists to see if they are accepting new patients. This initial call may also give you some sense of the office environment, but there's nothing like the first visit to help you decide if it's a good match for you.

Once you have selected a new dentist, you can request that a copy of your records be transferred from your former dentist. You may be charged an administrative fee for having your records copied and sent to another dental office. Original dental records belong to the dentist who provided the treatment and not the patient because dentists have to keep all of their records for a period of time, as set out by their provincial dental regulatory body. If you have questions about the records transfer process in your province, ask your dentist or contact your local dental society or the provincial dental regulatory body.