The short answer
Start with what has to work: location, hours and whether the office takes your plan. Then verify the dentist's California license on the state's free lookup, which shows status and any disciplinary action. Ask how fees, emergencies and records are handled before you book. A general dentist is the usual first stop and refers you onward when a tooth needs a dentist with additional training.
General information, not a diagnosis. Your dentist will examine your mouth before recommending treatment.
Start with what has to work for you
Most people choose a dentist in a hurry, usually because something hurts or the old office is too far from the new job. The practical questions decide whether you will actually keep going back, so settle them first: Is the office easy to reach from home or work, and are its hours ones you can make? Does it accept your dental plan, and did you confirm that with the office rather than a directory? Will you be able to communicate comfortably, including in a language other than English if that matters to your family?
The American Dental Association's own guidance puts these basics ahead of everything else, for a simple reason: regular visits are what keep teeth, and the most skilled dentist in the county does you no good if you stop going. The guide to what to expect at your first visit shows what the first appointment looks like once you have narrowed the list.
Check the license on the state lookup
Dentists in California are licensed by the Dental Board of California, and the Board sends consumers to one free tool to verify any license: the DCA License Search run by the Department of Consumer Affairs. Search by the dentist's name or license number and choose Dental Board of California as the board.
The record shows whether the license is current, the license number, issue and expiration dates, the address of record, and whether any disciplinary action has been filed. Discipline documents, when they exist, are attached lower on the record. It takes about a minute, and it is the one step on this page that no review site can replace.
If a license has lapsed or you cannot find the dentist at all, call the Board at (916) 263-2300 before booking. The Board's consumer FAQ also explains how to file a complaint if you ever need to. For reference, Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan are general dentists; their training is on the about page.
| Check | How | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| License status | Search the dentist on the DCA License Search, board: Dental Board of California | Shows current status and any disciplinary action; free and takes a minute |
| Insurance | Call the office with your plan name and member ID | Directories go stale; the office confirms whether your PPO is accepted |
| Hours and location | Compare office hours with your week; check the drive from home or work | Convenience is what keeps you coming back for routine care |
| Emergencies | Ask what happens after hours and whether same-day visits are offered | A toothache or swelling rarely waits for a convenient day |
| Fees and plans | Ask whether fees are explained first and whether plans are given in writing | A written plan lets you compare, ask questions or get a second opinion |
| Records | Ask how records are kept and released | California law gives you the right to copies when you move or switch |
General dentist or a dentist with additional training
A general dentist is your primary dental provider, the way a family physician is your primary medical one: exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canal treatment, gum care, dentures and bridges, and the first call when something breaks. Most dentists in the United States are general dentists.
The ADA recognizes twelve areas of advanced training beyond dental school, including endodontics (root canals), periodontics (gums and bone), oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and prosthodontics. A dentist with that training usually sees you on referral for a specific problem, such as a root canal with a complicated anatomy, deep gum pockets that did not respond to treatment, or a child with complex medical or behavioral needs.
For most families the right first step is a general practice that will say plainly when a referral makes sense. Ask that directly: how often does the office refer out, and for what. An honest answer is a good sign.
Questions to ask before you book
The ADA suggests meeting the dentist and staff before committing, bringing your records and a written list of questions. Most offices will do a short consultation or at least answer these by phone:
- Are fees and payment options explained before treatment is scheduled, and will I get a written treatment plan?
- How are emergencies handled after hours, and can I usually be seen the same day for pain or swelling?
- Is my medical and dental history recorded and kept on file, and how do I get copies if I move?
- Will the dentist explain how to prevent problems, not only how to fix them?
- If I am nervous, what does the office do differently? See the guide to dental anxiety and comfort options.
- Does the office take my PPO plan? Infinite Dental Wellness accepts all PPO plans and does not accept Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal; details are on the insurance and payment page.
Red flags worth a pause
No single thing on this list proves anything is wrong, but each one is a reason to slow down and ask another question. Pressure to approve a large plan in the chair, the same day, is the most common. A careful dentist expects you to take a plan home.
A large treatment plan proposed without an exam, probing and the X-rays needed to see between teeth and under old work is another. The Dental Board's consumer guidance notes that treating without necessary X-rays can be considered negligence; the reverse, a plan built on no imaging at all, deserves the same scrutiny. So does an office that will not give you a written plan with the teeth and procedures listed, or that is slow to release your records when you ask.
Finally, be wary of any dentist described, by themselves or anyone else, as the only one who can fix your problem. Second opinions are normal, and a dentist who is confident in a plan will not mind you getting one.
Reviews, in proportion
Online reviews tell you how an office treats people: whether it runs on time, whether the front desk explains costs, whether anxious patients feel heard. They cannot tell you whether a crown margin was well done. The ADA advises reading them with caution for that reason, since everyone's dental experience differs.
Use them to shortlist, then check the license, confirm the plan and ask the questions above. The page on finding a dentist in Glendale covers what to look for when you need restorative or cosmetic work in particular, and you can read what patients say about this office on the reviews page. When you are ready, book a visit or call (818) 541-1110.