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There are currently 67 Dentists in Fort Lauderdale available for booking on Zocdoc. Filter by insurance, language, or appointment time to find your best match.
Yes. 60 Dentists in Fort Lauderdale are accepting new patients right now. Many offer appointments within the next few days.
Among dentists in Fort Lauderdale:
Yes. 38 Dentists in Fort Lauderdale speak Spanish. Use the language filter on Zocdoc to find Spanish-speaking providers and book an appointment.
On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for a Dentist in Fort Lauderdale, 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 Fort Lauderdale who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale and book appointments instantly. You can search for Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale Dentists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Dentists in Fort Lauderdale who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Fort Lauderdale Dentists with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Dentists in Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale. Many Dentists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
Dentists, also called oral healthcare professionals, diagnose and treat various oral health issues. Often regarded as experts in dental care, they address concerns such as cavities, gum diseases, and other oral ailments. Their expertise includes:
Dentists are responsible for instructing their patients about maintaining oral health, administering anesthesia, and evaluating X-rays and other diagnostic images. They can also monitor the development of the jawbones and teeth. Also, seeing a pediatric dentist near you from a young age can establish good oral hygiene habits, monitor dental development, and detect and address any potential issues early for a lifetime of healthy teeth.
Aspiring dentists must first complete their graduation with subjects such as biology, chemistry, and math. After graduation, they must enroll in a dental school where they study and train for four years. Dental schools are on par with medical schools in terms of the standard of education.
For the first two years in dental school, students study biomedical sciences, and their education is mainly in classrooms and laboratories. The following two years involve practical training in medical settings such as clinics and hospitals. Here, students learn to diagnose and treat conditions of the teeth and gums and other oral issues. They also train under the guidance of experienced dentists and other specialists.
Students earn a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree on completion of dental school. They can also get certified by the National Board of Dental Examination. Some dentists opt to study further and have a residency in a particular specialty. Depending on the chosen specialty, this can take one to three years.
Dentists can focus on a particular area of dentistry. For this, they have to take up additional education and training. Here is a list of the specialties they can choose:
Visiting a dentist near you for the first time can feel intimidating, but knowing what lies ahead can ease your nerves and help you prepare. Your initial appointment is typically more about assessment than treatment, laying the foundation for long-term oral care.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what usually happens during your first dental visit:
1. Completing forms
You’ll be asked to fill out a patient information form when you arrive. This form includes your contact information, insurance coverage, medical background, and allergies. If available online, completing it in advance can save time. Otherwise, arrive about 30–45 minutes early.
2. Reviewing your health history
A dental assistant or dentist will review your medical and dental history. Be honest about any medications or health conditions. This check-up helps the dentist understand your overall health and how it may affect oral care. Your blood pressure might also be checked during this phase.
3. Complete oral evaluation
During a full dental exam, the dentist closely inspects your teeth, gums, and oral tissues for any signs of cavities, tartar accumulation, gum infections, or other dental issues. This step identifies current concerns early and helps prevent future problems.
4. Dental X-rays
X-rays may be taken to spot issues that aren’t visible during the exam, like bone loss, hidden cavities, or infections. This procedure usually takes about 20–30 minutes and gives the dentist a clear view beneath the surface.
5. Basic cleaning or fillings
If no extensive treatment is required, your dentist might perform a routine cleaning to eliminate plaque and tartar buildup. If small cavities are detected, they may also fill them on the spot using composite or similar materials.
6. Treatment plan & advice
To wrap up, the dentist near you will discuss your oral health status and, if needed, propose a treatment plan. They’ll also offer tips for better dental hygiene and answer any questions.
To keep your teeth healthy, follow these oral hygiene and lifestyle practices:
Check-ups done twice a year can help dentists detect problems before they become serious. So, it's advisable not to wait until you have symptoms to schedule an appointment.
However, visit your dentist promptly if you experience warning signs such as ulcers, tender mouth areas that don't heal after a week or two, or sudden sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
Additional symptoms to watch out for include loose teeth, receding gums, and pain while chewing or biting. Also, consult your dentist if you notice face and cheek swelling, clicking of the jaw, or frequent dry mouth. If high fever and facial or neck swelling accompany these symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Your oral cavity is home to various bacteria, viruses, and fungi. While some of these microorganisms are part of the normal flora and are harmless in small quantities, a diet high in sugar can create an environment where acid-producing bacteria thrive. This acid erodes tooth enamel, leading to dental cavities. Additionally, bacteria near the gumline form a sticky substance called plaque. Failing to remove plaque through brushing and flossing regularly hardens it, leading to gum inflammation and gingivitis.
As gingivitis progresses, inflammation can cause the gums to loosen around the teeth, resulting in pockets that may collect pus. This is a severe stage of gum disease known as periodontitis.
Contributing factors to gingivitis and periodontitis include poor brushing habits, smoking, frequent consumption of sugary foods and drinks, and diabetes. Other factors include the use of medications that reduce saliva, genetic predisposition, certain infections such as HIV, hormonal changes in women, acid reflux, and frequent vomiting due to acid.
It would be best to visit a dentist at least once every six months for regular check-ups and preventive care. They can check for signs of mouth cancer and other oral diseases. Dentists can also detect illnesses in other body parts as the symptoms can often be first visible in the mouth.
You can visit a dentist if you have frequent headaches, toothache, swollen or bleeding gums, or an abscessed tooth. They can also treat chipped or broken teeth, jaw pain, sensitivity, bad breath, or teeth grinding. You must visit a dentist if you have lumps, bumps, sores in your mouth, or persistent bad breath. Dentists can remove the buildup of plaque/tartar buildup; such buildup can cause gum disease and tooth decay.
Locating a good-qualified dentist in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, can take time and effort. Don't worry! Zocdoc can help you here. On Zocdoc, you can make an appointment with a trusted dentist with only a few clicks.
On the Zocdoc website, enter details about your symptoms or current ailment, location, preferred date, and insurance provider and plan. You will then receive a list of the best dentists in your area. Further, you can also filter your search by gender and hospital affiliations.
Each healthcare provider listed on Zocdoc has a thorough profile to aid you in making an educated decision. The profile contains information about the dentist's education and training, location, hospital affiliations, languages spoken, response times, and whether they accept new patients and treat children.
Zocdoc makes each healthcare provider's professional experience, medical specialties, certifications, licensure, accolades, and accreditations available to maintain transparency and assist decision-making. You can also check the verified patient reviews of dentists, which will help you make an informed decision.
If you need help finding dentists who accept your insurance, our online patient help center is here to assist. On Zocdoc, you can connect your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account. You can use only one insurance plan per appointment. You can add secondary insurance details in the appointment notes for those with multiple insurance plans. You can enter your secondary insurance information if your provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms.
Feel free to request an online consultation or schedule an in-person appointment with the dentist. You can also schedule an appointment during office hours, before 10 a.m., after 5 p.m., or during the weekend.
Locating a top-rated dentist in your vicinity is now easier! Making bookings on Zocdoc is simple, secure, quick, and free.
According to America's Health Rankings, in 2022, about 61.2% of the adult population in Florida reported visiting a dentist or a dental clinic within the past year. Women were more likely (65.1%) to see a dentist than men (56.9%). Of those who were 65 and above, about 67.1% visited a dentist in the past year. The percentage was lower in those aged 45 to 64 (59.7%) and those aged 18 to 44 (58.3%).
There were about 56.6 dentists for every 100,000 people in Florida in September 2023. It was lower than the national average of 64.6 dentists for every 100,000 people. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6,740 general dentists, 300 oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and 250 other dentistry specialists in Florida in May 2023.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health
National Institute of Health[1]
National Institute of Health[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.