Getting a referral from your dentist to see a periodontist or other specialist is a good starting point for getting the specialized dental care you need. By referring patients to a periodontist, the dentist is vouching for their quality of work and capabilities. This is a specialist the dentist has met, got a feel for, and has rapport with.
It’s great to have a recommendation for a specific periodontist from your dentist, but just because this periodontist is right for your dentist, doesn’t necessarily mean they are right for you. There are a few reasons why someone might choose to go to a periodontist or endodontist other than the one that their dentist referred them to.
The periodontist you were referred to is too far
We often get patients that come to our office even though they were referred to other periodontics practices. Some are referred to a specialist in Boston which is too far for many to travel, especially when there are high quality periodontists in Worcester, like the ones at Worcester Periodontics. There is nothing wrong with asking your dentist for a nearer referral or doing your own research to find a reputable periodontist near you.
You don’t get along with the periodontist you were referred to
If there is anything that makes you uncomfortable about the periodontist your dentist referred you to, know that you are not obligated to move forward with them. You deserve working with a periodontist you feel comfortable with, even if you don’t have any doubts about their skill. Some periodontists’ offices, like Worcester Periodontics, take extra care to make sure patients feel comfortable, even helping ease dental anxiety in patients. When patients don’t feel comfortable with the periodontist they were referred to it’s quite common for them to get a second opinion from another periodontist.
Periodontist is out of network for your insurance
There are benefits to seeing a periodontist that is out of network if your insurance still pays and the periodontist is reputable and comes highly recommended. Still, many people choose to go to periodontists that are specifically in network with their insurance in order to avoid any additional costs. If a patient finds that the periodontist their dentist referred them to is out of network with their insurance, they may seek a periodontist from a list provided by their insurance.
At the end of the day, regardless of the reason you choose a dental specialist other than the one your dentist chose, your dentist will collaborate with them. Your dentist has the responsibility to share their scans, x-rays, and vision for the treatment plan.
If your dentist referred you to a periodontist that is too far away and you are looking for a periodontist in Worcester, we urge you to book a appointment at Worcester Periodontics. The office has multiple periodontists to choose from, all highly experienced and regarded.