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 Silver Spring, 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 Silver Spring who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Silver Spring 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 Silver Spring and book appointments instantly. You can search for Silver Spring 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 Silver Spring Dentists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Dentists in Silver Spring who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Silver Spring Dentists with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Dentists in Silver Spring 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 Silver Spring 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 Silver Spring 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 Silver Spring. Many Dentists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
Dentistry is a medical branch that focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of conditions of the teeth, gum, jaw, and mouth. Dental problems can not only be painful, but they can also affect your overall well-being. Hence, periodic dental checkups can prevent serious ailments from affecting your quality of life. Dentists are healthcare professionals with expertise in dentistry. Their purview of work includes diagnosing oral disorders and creating case-specific treatment plans to restore or maintain their patients' oral health.
A dentist near you may use several tests, including X-rays, to diagnose conditions of the teeth or mouth. In addition, dentists can also help keep your teeth clean through professional cleaning that helps remove plaque. They can also help you fill oral cavities with specific fillings or sealants. In addition, they also offer emergency care in case of accidental tooth damage. The delicate nature of dental procedures often requires additional assistance from hygienists, dental assistants, and lab technicians.
The educational path of a dentist in the United States is similar to that of other physicians. They must complete a bachelor's degree in science with core subjects like biology, chemistry, mathematics, or health. Students can then pursue a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree for four years.
Dental school students undergo two years of biomedical science studies, typically including biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, immunology, and pathology. For the next couple of years, they go through clinical practice that involves diagnosing and treating dental diseases.
After dental school, dentists can pursue a residency for one to three years, given the specialty selected. They can appear in the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) for further certification. Some of the recognized dental specialties are:
Oral problems can manifest in multiple ways. Some of the common dental problems include:
Other less common conditions include dry mouth, enamel erosion, teeth grinding, etc.
In routine dental checkups, dentists thoroughly examine and clean teeth to maintain oral health. On the other hand, dental treatments involve specific procedures like fillings, deep cleanings, root canals, and tooth extractions tailored to individual oral health requirements.
While routine checkups are scheduled regularly for preventive care, dental treatments address unique needs and serve a curative purpose in oral health management. Thus, it is vital to establish consistent dental checkups, as they contribute to preventing the escalation of oral issues that might require more intricate treatments.
In ensuring overall oral health protection and preventive care, adhering to a regular schedule of dental appointments is paramount. It is advisable to consult with your dentist to determine the best treatment plan for you and the optimal frequency based on the unique interplay of certain factors in your circumstances. These factors include:
By understanding and evaluating these individualized factors, you and your dentist can craft a tailored treatment plan. This personalized approach ensures that your dental checkup routine effectively addresses your specific needs, promoting comprehensive health and well-being for both your teeth and gums.
According to WHO reports, nearly 45% of the global population struggles with some form of oral disease. As a result, choosing the right dentist for your needs is mandatory. Here are five key qualities to consider when selecting a dentist.
Referrals and recommendations
One of the easiest ways to find a reliable dentist is through referrals from friends, family, or colleagues. Trusted recommendations offer insights into a dentist's quality of care, helping you feel more confident knowing others have had a positive experience.
Patient reviews and testimonials
Reading online reviews and testimonials gives a window into patients' experiences, including the dentist's skills, the clinic's environment, and overall patient satisfaction. Positive reviews can help confirm that a dentist is reputable and has a good rapport with patients, ensuring a welcoming experience.
Experience and qualifications
A dentist's expertise is essential for quality care. Checking a dentist's qualifications, years of experience, and any specializations helps ensure they can handle the treatments you need. An experienced dentist near you will likely provide thorough and effective treatment for routine care or specific procedures.
Use of modern technology
Advancements in technology, such as digital X-rays, laser treatments, and efficient whitening techniques, have made dental care safer and more comfortable. A dentist who uses modern equipment can provide faster, more accurate diagnoses and treatments with less discomfort, enhancing the overall patient experience.
Clean and safe clinic environment
A hygienic and well-maintained clinic is committed to patient safety. Infection control protocols, such as sterilizing instruments, using gloves and masks, and following hygiene standards reduce infection risks and ensure quality care.
Your mouth often contains bacteria that may enter the digestive system and respiratory tract. General oral care can prevent severe disorders; however, if you do not maintain good dental hygiene, bacterial infections can lead to tooth decay and gum problems.
The saliva protects from harmful microbes by washing away residual food and neutralizing bacterial acids in the mouth. Certain medications, such as antidepressants, painkillers, decongestants, etc., can reduce saliva flow, thus increasing the chances of bacterial infection.
Studies suggest that there are possible correlations between oral health and overall well-being. Dental problems can instigate other conditions, too. Periodontitis, an oral irregularity of the gums and jawbones, can lead to premature delivery and low birth weight. Though it is not conclusively proven, there is a probability that oral bacteria can cause arterial blockage, stroke, and other heart disorders.
Endocarditis is an infection in the walls of the heart valves. This infection is usually triggered by oral bacteria that travel through the bloodstream and reach certain heart parts. Oral bacteria can affect the lungs and lead to pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.
Dental problems do not initiate some conditions but may affect your oral health. For example, periodontitis and diabetes correlate. If you have one condition, it may trigger another disorder in your body. Diabetes reduces your natural ability to fight bacterial infection in the mouth, leading to gum problems.
People with AIDS can have painful oral mucosal lesions. This condition is marked by color change, alteration in surface characteristics, inflammation, and compromised mucosal surface in oral subsites. People with COVID-19 may also get mucosal lesions.
Weakening bone structure can affect the jaw bones as well. Furthermore, brain disorders like Alzheimer's can also affect the patient's oral health. Dental health is also linked with Sjogren's syndrome (an immune system disorder), rheumatoid arthritis, specific variants of cancer, and some eating disorders.
One must maintain a good oral care routine for healthy teeth and gums. You can avoid most oral issues with regular dental care. Here are some of the best techniques to follow for the same:
Finding and visiting the right dentist can be a daunting task. The anxiety of waiting at the chamber and the anticipated agony of specific dental procedures often keep us away from dental appointments. However, not taking regular care of your oral health can lead to multiple complications. This is where Zocdoc is here to connect you with the best dentists near you in Silver Spring.
Searching for the best-rated dentists is easy with Zocdoc. Just mention your condition, location, preferred time, and insurance details to access the top dentists near you. You can also filter your search by affiliations, gender, and whether a practitioner treats children.
All practitioners listed on Zocdoc have dedicated profiles containing information about their educational qualifications, professional certifications, hospital affiliations, awards and recognition, licensure, and other information. You can also browse the verified patient reviews to make an informed decision.
When booking an appointment on Zocdoc, you'll be asked to provide your insurance details or confirm if you'll be paying out-of-pocket. Certain providers may need insurance information beforehand to confirm the appointment. However, if you prefer not to share insurance details or plan to pay independently, you can search for a provider on Zocdoc that meets your preferences. For more queries, you can visit the Zocdoc patient help center page.
Before finalizing, remember to check if the chosen dentist accepts your insurance plan. Depending on the dentist's availability, you can also book appointments for the same day, on weekends, and after office hours.
All appointment bookings with Zocdoc are safe, secure, and free.
According to the National Library of Medicine, more than 200,419 dentists are in the United States as of 2019. Out of them, about 4,266 are in Maryland. There are approximately 70.56 dentists per 100,000 population in the state of Maryland. As per the Office of Dental Health, Maryland Department of Health, in 2015, around 404,118 students had enrolled to receive dental services via Medicaid. Of these, approximately 69% were receiving one or more dental services.
As per the National Center for Health Statistics of 2019, nearly 65.5% of the population in the age bracket of 18-64 had undergone dental checkups in the preceding year. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that around 47% of adults above 30 years have some form of periodontal disease. The figure goes beyond 70% for adults above 70 years.
According to the Pediatric Dental Workforce 2016 and Beyond report, more than 6500 pediatric dentists are in the US. Another study by Pediatric Dentistry Today shows that as of 2016, there were approximately nine pediatric dentists per 100,000 children in the country; the figure is estimated to rise to around 14 per 100,000 by 2030.
The pediatric dental workforce 2016 and beyond
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
International & American Associations for Dental Research
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.