How to Choose a Dentist (and Check a Missouri License)

What should I look for in a dentist?

Look for a dentist you can reach, afford to understand, and talk to. The American Dental Association (ADA) says to start with the basics that fit your life, then add questions about communication and costs. A dentist is a long-term partner, so fit matters as much as a degree.

The ADA’s MouthHealthy site describes a “dental home,” a place where someone always looks out for you and your family’s interests. Our glossary explains the term dental home.

This guide is general. It does not rank dentists, and it does not say any office is better than another. Different people need different things.

How do I find dentists to consider?

Ask people you trust, then check the sources the ADA lists. The ADA suggests these starting points:

1. The ADA’s Find-a-Dentist tool.
2. Your local dental society, which can give you a list of dentists’ names in your area.
3. A relative or friend whose opinion you trust.
4. Your family doctor or pharmacist.
5. Your state dental society.
6. If you are moving, your current dentist.

If you do not have benefits or have trouble affording care, the ADA says your local health department or nearby dental schools can help you find care. See our guide to paying for dental care for more options. Our practice has an insurance and financing page that tells you how the office handles insurance questions in general.

How much should I trust online reviews?

Treat reviews as one input among several. The ADA notes that social media sites may have patient reviews, but every person’s dental health needs and experiences are their own. A review about one person’s experience may not match your case. Look for patterns across many reviews, not a single story.

Then visit the office’s website. The ADA suggests visiting the websites and social media pages of a few good candidates to learn more about them. Read what the office says about its services, its people and how new patients begin. Compare that to what you hear when you call.

How do I check a Missouri dentist’s license?

Use the licensee search on the state’s MoPro portal. The Missouri Division of Professional Registration runs it. Its search page says the licensee search function provides data from the state’s database and constitutes a Primary Source Verification of licensure. It also says the information is updated nightly.

Follow these steps:

1. Go to the Missouri license search page at mopro.mo.gov/license/s/license-search.
2. Choose the profession “Dentist”.
3. Enter the dentist’s name, or the license number if you have it. The page says you must choose at least one criterion: county, profession, name or license number.
4. Submit the search and read the results table. Check the name, profession, city and state, and open any details the portal offers.
5. If you cannot find the person, check the spelling and try fewer search terms. The page says to contact the individual licensing board directly if you cannot locate licensee information.

The portal may ask you to complete a security check before it returns results. Do that yourself in the normal way.

Our post on how to check a Missouri dentist’s license walks through this step by step.

Can I check Town Center Dental’s dentists the same way?

Yes. You can check any dentist, including Dr. Jon Copeland and Dr. Stephanie Copeland, on the same state search. We encourage you to look up the license of any dentist you plan to visit. The practice’s site names both doctors, and you can read their pages: Dr. Jon Copeland and Dr. Stephanie Copeland. Both are general dentists.

What does the Dental Board do?

The Missouri Dental Board regulates the profession. Its complaint page says the Board is charged with the regulation of the dental profession in Missouri. It also sets limits. The Board only has authority to discipline the professional license of the people it licenses. It does not have authority to order a licensee to refund fees paid by a complainant or to pay restitution or monetary damages.

That means a license check tells you the license is in the state’s records. It does not tell you how an office treats patients or what your care will cost. Use it as one check among several.

What do DDS, DMD and other letters mean?

DDS and DMD are the same degree. The ADA says DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) are the same degrees, and dentists with either have the same education. Some schools award one, and some the other. Our glossary defines DDS and DMD.

The ADA adds that dentists must pass both a national written exam and a state or regional clinical licensing exam to practice. To keep their licenses, they must meet continuing education requirements for the rest of their careers.

Other terms you may see:

The ADA says all ADA member dentists voluntarily agree to abide by the ethical standards reflected in the member code of conduct. Membership is optional, and not every dentist is a member. It is one thing to ask about, not a requirement.

What should I ask at the first visit or call?

Prepare a short list and listen to the answers. The ADA suggests questions like these:

• Will the dentist explain ways to help prevent dental problems? Is dental health instruction provided?
• How do the dentist and office staff handle emergencies outside of office hours?
• Is the office staff familiar with your benefit plan, and do they offer financial options for treatment costs?
• Will your medical and dental history be recorded and kept in your file?
• Is information provided about fees and payment plans before treatment is scheduled?

The ADA also says to share past dental experiences and concerns, including any anxiety, and to make sure the dentist understands them and answers your questions. It suggests you bring your records so the dentist can look at your dental history.

Add questions about your own needs. Examples: How do you help patients who feel nervous? How often do you suggest exams and X-rays for someone like me? What happens if I need more care than a regular visit? What will each option cost me before we start?

Town Center Dental’s published hours are Monday to Wednesday 8am to 5pm and Thursday 8am to 4pm, and the office is closed Friday to Sunday, as its site shows. Ask any office you consider how it handles problems when it is closed.

What does a good first conversation sound like?

A good first conversation is clear, unhurried and two-way. You do not need medical knowledge. You need to notice whether you understand what you hear. These signs are worth noticing in any office:

1. You can explain your goal and be heard. You can say “I want a regular checkup” or “I have a tooth that bothers me,” and the person listens before answering.
2. Choices come with reasons. If treatment is advised, the dentist says why, what the options are, and what happens if you wait. Your dentist will talk with you about what to expect.
3. Costs are explained before treatment. The ADA lists information about fees and payment plans before treatment is scheduled as something to look for.
4. Questions are welcome. The ADA says to take time to ask questions. A good office answers them without hurry.
5. The office explains its own process. For example, what a new patient visit includes, how forms work, and how to reach the team after the visit.

Notice what happens if you say you feel nervous. The ADA says to share any anxiety, so the dentist understands. Our guide on dental anxiety lists ways to make a visit easier. An office that welcomes the topic is easier to work with.

How do different kinds of patients weigh these points?

The same list gets different weight for different people. This table shows examples. It is not a ranking of offices.

For a family, one office for everyone may be easier to manage. Town Center Dental says on its site that it treats “every member of the family, from infants to grandparents.” Whether that fits you depends on your needs, so ask about your own case.

How do I compare offices side by side?

Use a simple scorecard. Rate each item from 1 to 5, or just note yes or no. The goal is not a perfect score but to see which office fits you.

Take notes in the first visit, as the ADA suggests, so you remember your dentist’s advice. The ADA says you and your dentist are partners in maintaining your oral health.

What if my first choice is not a fit?

You can change dentists. The ADA says dental care is a personalized service that requires a good relationship between the dentist and the patient, and that during your first visit you should be able to tell whether it is the right dentist for you. If it is not, you can look again.

If you switch, ask the old office for copies of your records and images. The ADA says a new dentist may ask for earlier X-rays instead of ordering new ones. That can save you time and avoid repeat images.

If you have a concern about a dentist’s conduct, talk with the office first when you can. If that does not resolve it, the Missouri Dental Board has a complaint forms page. Keep copies of your records and receipts.

Next step

To learn who we are, read about Town Center Dental and meet the team. Then call (636) 273-5866 or request an appointment and bring your questions. You can look up any dentist’s Missouri license before you decide.