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On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for a Dentist in Tempe, 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 Tempe who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Tempe 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 Tempe and book appointments instantly. You can search for Tempe 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 Tempe Dentists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Dentists in Tempe who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Tempe Dentists with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Dentists in Tempe 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 Tempe 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 Tempe 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 Tempe. Many Dentists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
The mouth is a vital but frequently neglected part of your body that needs special attention and care to maintain optimal physical health. Maintaining oral hygiene also helps lower the risk of severe health conditions in the mouth and other body parts.
A dentist is a specialized doctor who diagnoses and treats oral health issues. They have extensive training in oral care and related areas of dental health. In the United States, dentists can hold DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degrees. In addition to an undergraduate degree, they must complete four years of training at an accredited dental school.
A dentist has a range of duties that revolve around promoting good oral hygiene daily. Apart from diagnosing dental issues, they treat various parts of the mouth, such as the teeth and gums. They possess several medical tools to perform dental procedures based on patient needs. Typically, dentists lead a team of professionals who manage complicated dental procedures to ensure that each patient receives appropriate treatment and care.
Some of the everyday responsibilities of a dentist include the following:
If you have an oral health issue, which type of dentist should you see? Here is a quick overview of the different dental providers.
General dentists
General dentists act as primary care specialists for oral health and are among the most commonly seen dental professionals. Visit a general dentist near you for regular cleanings and routine exams. During these visits, your dentist checks your teeth and gums and performs treatments like cavity fillings, root canals, and placing dental crowns.
They will also refer you to a specialist if your treatment requires expertise beyond their scope.
Pediatric dentists
Pediatric dentists, or pedodontists, focus on dental care for children and adolescents. They treat infants through teens and provide age-appropriate dental care tailored to younger patients.
These specialists track your child's oral development and may refer them to an orthodontist.
Orthodontists
Orthodontists handle the alignment of your teeth and jaw using braces, wires, retainers, and similar devices. If you are experiencing an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or other alignment issues, your dentist might send you to an orthodontist.
Periodontists or gum specialists
Periodontists treat gum-related issues and diseases. While general dentists help prevent gum problems, periodontists step in when you need treatment for more serious gum conditions, including surgical care for damaged tissue. You might also see a periodontist for dental implants.
Endodontists or root canal specialists
Endodontists focus on problems involving nerves in the teeth and related pain. They are trained to perform root canals when decay reaches the tooth's nerve.
Oral pathologists and oral surgeons
Oral pathologists and surgeons treat diseases and conditions affecting the teeth and jaw. These can include impacted wisdom teeth, jaw misalignment, oral reconstruction, and mouth, head, or neck cancers. They are also qualified to perform surgeries and often work with ENT specialists to address sleep apnea and facial injuries.
Prosthodontists
Prosthodontists restore teeth and jaw structures. They handle cosmetic procedures like veneers and whitening and fit you with dentures, crowns, and bridges to improve function and appearance.
Dental problems can affect people at any stage of their lives. However, you can prevent most dental issues by actively caring for oral health. Dentists recommend patients brush and floss daily to help prevent most dental conditions. Additionally, you should get an appointment with the best dentist near you to help them detect early signs of dental problems. The common conditions treated by dentists include the following:
A dentist's educational journey begins with obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent and passing admission examinations. The first two years of a dental school curriculum are comparable to that of medical school, with courses in anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, and pathology. In the subsequent years, these courses became more specialized and focused on diagnosing and treating oral diseases.
The combined undergraduate and dental degree duration is typically around eight years, after which dentists may pursue certification in one of the nine recognized dental specialties. Once they finish their education and training, dentists must pass national written exams to obtain a license to practice. They must also stay updated with the latest developments and skills by taking exams on the latest scientific and clinical developments throughout their careers. It is crucial in providing modern and effective oral health care.
Dentists usually collaborate with a team of professionals when dealing with complex oral care procedures. The group typically consists of the following:
It is best to schedule routine visits with a dentist for dental exams and cleanings to ensure proper oral health maintenance. Your dentist will correctly advise you on the appropriate intervals for these visits. For most individuals, following good oral hygiene practices at home and scheduling professional cleanings every six months is enough to maintain optimal oral health. However, your dentist may recommend more frequent dental visits if you have a propensity toward cavities or gum disease. Your provider will fix the most suitable cleaning schedule for your needs.
You may have to select a new dentist for several reasons: maybe it's your first time seeking dental care, you are shifting to a new city, or your current dentist is retiring. Asking for recommendations from your friends and family and referrals from your doctor or dental provider is a good starting point. However, it would help if you choose a dentist only after feeling comfortable and satisfied during the first meeting. After all, you will form a long-term relationship with the dentist for continued oral well-being.
But how do you decide a dentist is the right fit for you? Well, by asking plenty of relevant questions during your initial consultation, such as the ones discussed below:
Questions about the dentist's background
Questions about the dentist's office rules and regulations
Questions about the dentist's approach to care
Miscellaneous questions
If you're searching for a top-notch dentist in Tempe, Arizona, Zocdoc is the right place to look. The platform is like a search engine that identifies the best doctors in your area. Type "dentist in Tempe, Arizona" in the search bar, and Zocdoc will scan millions of entries to display the best dentists.
The search results offer multiple filters, such as specialty, location, appointment availability, zip code, and insurance plans. After narrowing down your options, you can view each dentist's detailed profile, including their education, experience, years of practice, and additional certifications. This helps you select the doctor who best suits your needs.
Stay calm if you do not have dental insurance. You can still find providers who accept new patients without asking for insurance information. Acknowledge that you will pay out-of-pocket by mentioning "I'll pay for myself" in the search bar, clicking find, and getting instant results. You will see more insurance FAQs on the Zocdoc patient help center page.
Zocdoc recognizes the significance of credibility in the medical field; that's why patients post authentic and recent reviews on the platform to help others make informed decisions. In addition to being a convenient way to search for the best dentists near you, Zocdoc is safe, accessible, and easy to use.
As per data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arizona had approximately 2,930 dentists and 180 dental specialists as of May 2024.
The American Dental Association also reported that 201,117 dentists actively practiced in the U.S. in 2020, equalling 61.0 dentists per 100,000 persons.
According to 2019 to 2020 estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there was an overall decrease in the percentage of adults aged 18-64 who had visited the dentist within the past 12 months. Both men and women experienced this decline, with men dropping from 61.5% to 59.6% and women dropping from 69.3% to 65.8%. This trend was seen across all races and family income levels. Furthermore, adults living in large central, large fringe, and medium and small metropolitan areas all experienced a decrease in dental visits within the past 12 months during this time frame.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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.