How far would you drive to a good doctor or dentist?

[Kitty 34]

This isn't meant to be a driving/gas debate.

I finally found a dentist several years ago that I really liked and trusted. Unfortunetly he moved to another town about 45 minutes away. Meanwhile I found another dentist 5 minutes away that I've gone to a few times but just don't feel totally comfortable with. So I just called and decided to go back to the other dentist and make the drive!

How far do you drive to see your doctors and dentist? (My doctor is only 15 minutes away)

 

[jel0511]

We drive an hour for our dentist. He's awesome!!

 

[ntburns22]

I drive the kids about 45 minutes to the ped. I live in a small town and I am not comfortable with the small town doctors and hospital.

 

[DVCLiz]

My dentist and doctor are both close by, but I'd absolutely drive as far as need be for a good dentist or doctor. I'm a little high-maintenance at the dentist's anyway, so once I found my dentist, I was a patient for life.

I'll also drive for a good hair person - currently about a 20 minute drive and well worth it!!!

 

[AnaheimGirl]

I drive my kids about 30 minutes to the ped dentist. I'd go 45 or more for a dentist, since you (hopefully) only see them once every 6 months. Looking for an orthodontist for dd, though -- it had to be close to home, for those frequent appointments once the braces go on.

It depends really. How often I expect to see them, what the other options are closer to home... In your case, I'd make the drive, too.

 

[clh2]

My DH and my dentist is about 2 hours away. We really like him, love the town he's in (we used to live about 30 minutes from him) and, he has Saturday hours. Plus, as our added bonus - if it is a nice day, this dentist is right across the street from the Metra - which if you are in the Chicago area - means it is a quick trip in to the city! Or, other times we'll go visit our old neighbors.

DD went to a Milwaukee ped dentist (where they train ped dentists), and the one we really liked joined a practice in Madison when DD was about 4. So, we've been taking her about 90 minutes. We also happen to love Madison, I went to school there, and there is a tone of stuff to do there. Unfortunately (or maybe not~considering the cost of gas) DD has requested a dentist closer to home, so, that's what we are doing at the beginning of May - a new dentist. Haven't told her old dentist yet, but I do have to request x-rays.

 

[bigbabyblues]

All of our doctors, my orthodontist, and the ds' dentist are all 45 min to an hour away.

 

[Forevryoung]

I live in an pretty high doctor population in my opinion (Long Island, NY) and I drive 45 minutes away (about 35 miles) for my psychiatrist, my regular dr and my gynocologist (they are actually all within a few miles of eachother). It just worked out that way. I dont see any of them all that frequently (well I see the psychiatrist every 2 months or so unless there is a specific need). I would never see all three of them in one day though .

My dad is a dentist (anyone need an amazing dentist on Long Island? ) so I see him or if I need something specific I see one of his buddies.

 

[Beth76]

My ob/gyn is about 35 minutes away. I would do 45 minutes if I couldn't find anyone closer. I think it's more important to be comfortable with the doctor and the staff.

 

[goodeats]

I've been going to the same dentist office since I was a baby. The same dentist too actually. My regular hygenist just retired, and my dentist is getting ready to retire. His son is taking over the practice though. Right now it's 30 minutes away. I used to joke to my husband that even if we moved out of state I'd fly back twice a year for my dental appointments. Maybe I wasn't completely joking! Although, I haven't been as enthralled lately. There's one right across from work that a lot of people go to, I may check it out. But after 26 years that seems kind of like having an affair!

I love my gyno! She's about 30 minutes away also. I hope to use her when we have children. Since it's only once a year (well without being pregnant), the 30 minutes is really a non-issue.

 

[luvmyfam444]

Before we moved my answer would have been 20 mins or so ---then we moved & can't get into the pediatricains around here - we've tried 3 times to get in on the same day when dd was sick & you can't get into the dr you want -you just get one of the 8 or so in the group & of course we got the one we didn't like...

SOOOOO we've chosen to stay with the ped back where we moved from 1 hr away - we've had him for 8 yrs & the kids know him well - so when my newest is born she'll be checked out/released by the local dr here & then we'll be trekking that 1hr drive every few weeks for her well checks....

I have 2 friends that drive 4 hrs to specialty drs - back from where they moved from - didn't want to mess with finding new drs here - 1 goes every week for thearpy & drives straight up there & back on the same day& the other friend goes about 1 time a month for her dd's checkups but spends the weekend...

 

[olena]

Our dentist is in Mid-town Atlanta, which is about 30 minutes away with good traffic. Driving to the doctor, especially for Chris, takes about 45 minutes, since he goes to Emory Healthcare. And it's worth it to us.

 

[JadenLayne]

I drive 30 minutes to my Dr. When my son was born 14 years ago I went to the same clinic. Over time my old Dr. retired and when I went to his referred new Dr. I loved him too. So I've stayed with that clinic. To me its totally worth it to feel comfortable where you go.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I drive 45 minutes for my GI. I ADORE him, and since I have Crohns, I need to really like and trust my GI =)

I drove 1.5 hours for my orthodontist when I moved away for grad school. I didn't care to change practices and just made the drive every few months.

 

[MoniqueU]

Well my daughter is a special case. She is 9 and knocked out 4 teeth 2 of them permanent in a scooter accident, where she was wearing her helmet.
Anyway we drive an hour, more in traffic for her to be seen by what I consider to be the best around. He graduated from Harvard School of Dentistry. They never make you wait for appts they take you right back at your scheduled time. His bedside manner and explanations of what is going on is terrific. I am the worlds worst teeth phobic and I would actually consider having him put braces back on my teeth. All 3 of my kids see him and it is worth the drive to me.
As far as me seeing a dentist far away it might just heighten my ansxiety. I hate the noise, not the needles. I cry for teeth cleanings and they have to seperate me from other patients getting work done. I take stuff to calm me down but it doesn't really work. I really need to be put under to have any work done and so far I dont know a dentist that does this and takes my insurance. I don't drive so that would not be an issue. I guess I should try a bit harder to find one that will put you out for a simple procedure. The laughing gas doesnt really do much good for me either. As far as Dr's go I have ne that is really nice but doesnt always listen to me. For instands I have acid reflux really bad. I told her this, she said she was going to write me a prescription for nexium. She didnt she wrote me a prescription for ulcer medicene. I dont have an ulcer I have very bad acid reflux.
I also have retinitis pigmentosa and one time she tried to stare in my eyes to see if she could see it. I am like What medical school did you go to again? I know it's a rare condition but come on. I don't switch dr's because the one time I tried I got one that was just a total jerk and I went running back to the one that was nice but not really bright.
My kids have a good pediatrician though and I am happy with their dental care so thats the important stuff right?

 

[CEDmom]

We'll be moving soon and will be about 30 miles from our current family doctor. We LOVE him and his entire staff and don't plan on going somewhere else. They were really upset when we told them we were moving until we let them know we wouldn't be getting a new doctor. I'll probably just scope out an emergi-care place as a backup.

 

[jonestavern]

For the last 10 years I have been driving 5 hrs (round trip, no snow or ice) to see the dentist. I don't mind it, it's not as if we had ongoing dental problems.
He is my childhood dentist & an excellent practioner. When he retired I finally found a dentist we have confidence in & that office is only 30 min away.

Out here in the sticks our regular Drs & closest hospital, are at 45 min away (one way, no snow or ice).

Jean

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

I drive 2 hours and 45 mins. to my ENT. He has been my Dr. for 30 years and has performed 2 surgeries so it is worth the drive for me since he knows my nose.

We were transferred about 10 years ago to SC so I travel back to Atlanta twice a year during allergy seasons!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If I needed to I would go as far as necessary.

Right now all my doc's & vet are 3 mins. away, except for my dd's endocrinologist which is 45 mins. in downtown Dallas.

 

[highland3]

We drive just over 1/2 an hour to get to our doctor. Our dentist is just around the corner from our house.