-Cheng-DMD-36764-circle_medium__v1__.png)
Average time it takes to be seen by a provider
Verified providers with a 4.8 average rating
In the business of finding quality care for patients
On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for a Dentist in Athens, book an appointment, and see the Dentist within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are often available, you can search for real-time availability of Dentists in Athens who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for an Athens Dentist who takes your insurance. Just choose your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. If you’re not sure which plan you have, you can use Zocdoc’s insurance checker to find out.
Zocdoc is a free online service that helps patients find Dentists in Athens and book appointments instantly. You can search for Athens Dentists by symptom or visit reason. Then, choose your insurance plan. Based on that information, you’ll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, along with their available appointment slots.
When you search for Athens Dentists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Dentists in Athens who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Athens Dentists with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Dentists in Athens who are highly rated by other patients. These ratings are based on verified reviews submitted by real patients. Every time a patient completes an appointment booked on Zocdoc, they’re invited to review their experience. Each review must comply with Zocdoc’s guidelines.
Dentists in Athens on Zocdoc who see patients through online video visits will have a purple video icon on their profiles. You can also filter your search results to show only Dentists who offer video visits.
Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same cost as in-person visits. You can search on Zocdoc specifically for Dentists in Athens who accept your insurance for video visits by selecting your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. We recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Dentist who has appointments available before 10:00 am, or after 5:00 pm. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page.
Zocdoc let's you see real-time availability for Dentists in Athens. Many Dentists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
A dentist is a certified specialist who specializes in diagnosing, preventing, and treating oral diseases. They help provide oral health services with support from dental hygienists, assistants, technicians, and occasionally other medical practitioners.
Dental roles can differ from state to state depending on their training and experience. Dentists advise patients about necessary preventive care and treatment, dietary habits, and lifestyle choices that affect overall well-being.
To become a dentist, you must get a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as biology, chemistry, health, or mathematics, followed by the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). After two years of study in biomedical sciences, aspiring dentists can pursue clinical practice for two more years. Subsequently, they can earn their DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DDM (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine). The next step is passing the written and practical examinations to acquire dental licensing.
One can take the National Board Dental Examination for certification to advance professionally. Depending on interest and experience, dentists may be required to finish a postgraduate residency program lasting one to three years.
The mentioned specialties require a postgraduate residency for dentists:
People often take good oral health for granted. They brush their teeth, floss, and perhaps use mouthwash occasionally, but do not think beyond that. However, it is necessary to do so, as oral health has far-reaching benefits beyond fresh breath and bright smiles. Dental hygiene can prevent cavities and reduce the risk of severe medical disorders such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory problems. Thus, maintaining optimum oral hygiene is crucial for overall health.
Dental concerns can lead to pain, discomfort, cavities, sensitivity, tooth loss, bad breath, or difficulty eating or speaking. Healthy teeth and gums are those that are free of disease. While certain bacteria in the mouth help achieve this, others can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing your teeth twice and flossing one time daily is essential to prevent such conditions. If plaque is not removed, it forms tartar, a harder yellow or brown deposit.
Visiting a dentist near you is essential as they can help prevent problems by spotting any issues early on or taking preliminary steps such as cleaning the teeth. The dentist can provide treatment and relief if you have existing oral problems. Dental professionals recommend routine cleanings and check-ups every six months. For example, patients with gum disease or cavities may need to visit the dentist frequently to keep their condition under control. To prevent further damage to your teeth or gums, you should see your dentist as soon as possible if you experience any dental pain or other symptoms.
Typically, a dental examination entails teeth cleaning, X-rays, and an assessment of your mouth. While your hygienist undertakes cleaning, you will be seated in an oversized chair with an overhead light above you. They will scrape your teeth using metallic dental tools to remove tartar and plaque. After brushing and flossing your teeth, they apply fluoride gel or foam onto the teeth.
In a dental X-ray, images are produced to identify gum disease, cavities, bone loss, etc., that cannot be seen through the naked eye. Your dentist will cover your chest and neck to protect them from radiation. They ask you to bite on a small plastic piece. A scanner is placed outside the mouth, and your dentist will use it to take a picture.
Lastly, your dentist will check your X-rays for cavities or other problems during a dental check-up. They will also assess your teeth and gums to ascertain their health. Your dentist may also check your bite and screen you for oral cancer. Such screening is conducted by feeling under the jaw, inside the lips, sides, and the floor and roof of the mouth.
Be mindful of what you eat and drink, as it can hurt your oral health. Avoid some foods altogether, while others can cause problems if consumed excessively. Consulting a dentist can help you understand what to eat and avoid. Here are a few examples of foods that can harm your teeth:
Your oral health may be connected to several conditions, including:
Certain health conditions that impact overall health can also affect oral health, such as:
At the beginning of your appointment, you must inform the dentist about any medicines you consume and any changes in your overall health, such as recent illnesses or ongoing conditions like diabetes.
An accessible dental provider in your area or neighborhood is imperative to maintaining oral health, hygiene, and overall health. The mouth serves as an entry for certain bacteria, which (if harmful) can reach the respiratory and digestive systems and lead to diseases like pneumonia. Some oral issues, such as gum disease, have also been associated with cardiovascular conditions and diabetes.
Whether you are changing providers or simply wish to consult a dentist near you who accepts new patients, you need to search for one that does more than just clean your teeth. The following tips may help you choose the right dentist-
At Zocdoc, we make it easy for you to find the perfect dentist in Athens, Georgia. Sign up for a free and secure account on our website so that you can choose from our verified list of providers based on their specialty or proximity. We have an extensive network of board-certified dentists in Athens, Georgia. Every provider profile has all the information you need to decide on a dentist you want to see. You can also use our convenient deduction detector feature to learn more about your insurance plan.
If you prefer not to share your insurance information when booking through Zocdoc, you can acknowledge that you'll pay out of pocket. While some providers require insurance details to confirm appointments, Zocdoc makes searching for and choosing providers who accommodate your payment preferences easy. You can refer to the Zocdoc patient help center for any issues.
Before your appointment, you can check out patient reviews on the Zocdoc website or application if you are searching for a certified dentist in Athens, Georgia. You can make real-time appointments with dentists who accept your insurance plan. If you are looking for a female or male dentist near you, add a gender filter to your search results.
All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and 100% free!
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that as of May 2021, Georgia had about 2,310 active dentists.
According to data from the American Cancer Society, the incidence rate of oral cavity & pharynx cancer recorded from 2017-2021 was higher (12.9) than the national average (12.2). It has also been estimated that Georgia will have about 1,870 new cases of oral cavity and pharynx cancer this year (2025). The projected deaths due to these conditions will be nearly 410.
Research indicates that fluoride helps reduce cavities by up to 25% in children and adults and helps keep teeth strong. Almost all water contains some amount of fluoride. However, the recommended concentration is 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water. Community water fluoridation is a process by which fluoride levels are regulated to the recommended level required to prevent cavities, reduce oral health issues, and reduce costs. In 2020, Georgia had about 60 public water systems with fluoride levels over 0.71 ppm (the illegal limit is over 2.0 ppm). According to the CDC, in 2024, there were nearly 572 fluoridated water systems in Georgia, and it was received by 95.07% of the population in the state.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.