Knowing how to choose a good dentist matters more than most people realize — you’re trusting this person with your health over years of visits, not just a single appointment.
Whether you’ve just moved to the Frisco area, your current dentist has retired, or you’re simply due for a change, the same core questions apply no matter where you search. This guide covers what to actually check, not just what sounds reassuring in an ad.
Start With Credentials You Can Actually Verify
A dentist’s marketing can say almost anything, but a few credentials can be independently checked before you ever sit in the chair.
State licensure
Every practicing dentist must hold an active license from their state dental board. In Texas, you can verify a dentist’s license status directly through the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners’ public license lookup — this confirms the license is active and shows whether any disciplinary actions are on record.
Professional memberships
Membership in the American Dental Association (ADA), the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), or a state dental association isn’t required to practice, but it does signal a dentist has opted into a professional body with ethical standards and continuing-education expectations.
As an example (not a claim of superiority), our own dentists are members of the ADA, AGD, and Texas Dental Association.
Continuing education
Dentistry changes — materials, techniques, and technology all advance. The ADA notes that a dentist’s ongoing continuing education is one of the practical signs they’re staying current, which matters more the more specialized a treatment you need.
Questions Worth Asking Before You Book
The ADA’s own patient guidance recommends going beyond credentials and asking practical questions directly:
How does the office handle emergencies outside business hours?
A good practice should have a clear answer, whether that’s an on-call line, a same-day policy, or a referral protocol.
What sterilization and infection-control protocols are in place?
This is a fair, non-awkward question to ask any dental office, and a confident, specific answer is a good sign.
What technology does the practice use, and does it matter for your needs?
Digital X-rays, intraoral scanners, or same-day crown systems (like CEREC) aren’t required for good care, but they can mean less radiation, fewer impressions, and fewer separate visits for certain procedures.
Will your medical and dental history be kept on file, and will the dentist explain prevention, not just treatment?
The ADA specifically flags this as a marker of a dentist who’s coaching you toward long-term oral health rather than just treating what’s in front of them that day.
Are your insurance plan and financing options clearly explained?
A transparent front-office team should be able to tell you what’s covered, what isn’t, and what financing (such as CareCredit) is available before treatment begins, not after.
How to Evaluate Reviews Without Being Misled by Them
Online reviews are useful, but read them for patterns, not just star ratings. A handful of five-star reviews mentioning specific things — a hygienist who explains what they’re doing, short wait times, clear cost estimates before treatment — tells you more than an aggregate number alone. It’s also worth noting that review counts and averages shift over time, so treat any number you see (including on this site) as a snapshot from around the time you’re reading it, not a permanent guarantee.
Beyond review sites, the ADA also points patients toward dental-association directories, insurance provider directories, and simple word-of-mouth referrals from friends, family, or your physician as complementary ways to vet a dentist.
Red Flags Worth Taking Seriously
A few patterns are worth pausing on: a practice that’s vague or evasive when you ask about pricing before treatment; pressure to commit to an expensive treatment plan on your very first visit without a clear explanation of why; an inability or unwillingness to explain a diagnosis in plain language; and no clear answer for what happens if you have a dental emergency after hours. None of these alone is necessarily disqualifying, but a pattern of several should give you pause.
Practical Logistics Still Matter
Even the most qualified dentist isn’t the right fit if you can’t realistically get to appointments. Location relative to home or work, office hours that fit your schedule, whether the practice is in-network with your insurance, and whether they offer financing options like CareCredit for larger treatment plans are all reasonable, practical factors — the ADA lists these alongside clinical credentials as part of a complete evaluation, not an afterthought to it.
General Dentist or Specialist — Which Do You Need First?
One question that trips patients up: do you need a general dentist or a specialist? For most routine care like cleanings, checkups, fillings, and even many cosmetic and restorative procedures — a qualified general dentist is the right starting point, and many general dentists (including with additional training and technology like CEREC) can handle procedures patients assume require a specialist.
Our related guide, General Dentist vs. Specialist: Who to Choose?, breaks down when your general dentist is enough and when a referral to a specialist actually makes sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the single most important factor in choosing a dentist?
There isn’t one universal answer. It depends on your priorities. But verifying an active state license is the one non-negotiable check, since it confirms the dentist has met your state’s educational and examination requirements. Everything else (reviews, technology, bedside manner, logistics) is about finding the right fit on top of that baseline.
How do I check if a dentist’s license is active in Texas?
The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners maintains a public license lookup tool where you can search by a dentist’s name to confirm their license status and see any recorded disciplinary history.
Does a dentist need to be an ADA member to be good?
No — ADA membership is voluntary, not a licensing requirement. A non-member dentist can still be well-qualified and provide excellent care. Membership is simply one additional, easily verifiable signal that a dentist has opted into a professional association’s standards and continuing-education culture.
Should I choose a dentist based on price alone?
Price matters, especially for larger treatment plans, but it shouldn’t be the only factor. A dentist who is transparent about costs upfront and explains financing options (such as CareCredit) is generally a better sign than simply the lowest quoted price, since unclear pricing can lead to surprise costs later.
How often should I expect to need a new dentist?
Most patients only need to search for a new dentist after a move, an insurance change, or a retirement on the practice’s end. If you find a dentist whose credentials check out and whose office answers your questions clearly, staying with that practice long-term (rather than switching frequently) generally supports more consistent, well-informed care.
Schedule an Appointment
Ready to get started? Call Aesthetic General Dentistry of Frisco at 214-705-6600 or Request an Appointment online. Our office is located at 9359 Legacy Dr, Ste 200, Frisco, TX 75033.
Sources:
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/dental-care/how-to-choose-a-dentist
https://tsbde.texas.gov/licensing/verification-of-licensure-request/