Are you dissatisfied with your dentist or will he enjoy his well-deserved retirement after years of employment? Then you have to switch to another dentist. But it is not easy to change your doctor. If you move to another district, village or city far away from your current doctor, you really have to believe it. How do you find a good new doctor? And what should you do to change doctors? And does this cause a lot of hassle? In this article, these questions are discussed in detail and we give you some practical tips. You can change dentist as follows:

Reason to Change Your Doctor

  • Moving house is the most common reason for switching doctors. But you can also have a different motivation to look for a new doctor, for example:
  • Prefer a female or male doctor.
  • Preference for a health center.
  • Preference for an independent general practitioner.
  • Disagreement about a treatment.
  • Preference for general practitioner who can provide special care for a chronic condition (e.g. COPD or diabetes).
  • A trusting relationship is no longer possible.
  • Dissatisfied with the doctor or his assistants.

What’s the Procedure?

  1. Register with your new dentist nearby. When you have made the choice, inquire whether the intended dentist (practice) accepts you as a new patient. A dentist has no acceptance obligation. If his practice is full, he doesn't have to treat you. If he accepts you as a new patient, you need to provide your personal details such as name, address and telephone number. The next time you go to the dentist, bring your ID and insurance card with you. You do not have to indicate to your health insurer that you have a new dentist.
  2. Unsubscribe from your old dentist. In the event of a move or dissatisfaction, you inform us verbally, in writing or by telephone that you are transferring to another dentist. You then let us know the following:
  3. The reason why you are switching (relocation or dissatisfaction).
  4. As of when you switch (immediately or in a few days or months).
  5. The name and (e-mail) address of your new dentist. Your old dentist can then transfer your file to your new dentist.

As you can read, changing healthcare provider – be it a dentist, doctor or pharmacy – basically all works the same way.

Choosing a new GP

In all cases you are free to choose a new doctor yourself. Please note: if you have taken out a policy in kind with your health insurer, you must choose one that has a contract with your health insurer. Otherwise your care will not be fully reimbursed. Your health insurer can tell you with which general practitioners it has an agreement.

Author's Bio: 

Misty Jhones