Finding an eye doctor and dentist

[KillerCharlie]

I just graduated and moved into the big city after living in a small town growing up. I need an eye doctor and dentist. The problem is the weren't really any choices where I grew up.

For an optical place, how do I know what places are good? Do places like pearle vision and lenscrafters have good eye doctors with reasonable prices on glasses?

Also, do dentists in nicer suburbs charge a lot more? I live in a nicer area (except my rent is pretty low) and I'm worried that all the dentists charge and arm and a leg, but it's hard to get a feel for their price.

 

[moshquerade]

ask co workers/friends/parishioners for recommendations.

 

[preslove]

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
I just graduated and moved into the big city after living in a small town growing up. I need an eye doctor and dentist. The problem is the weren't really any choices where I grew up.

For an optical place, how do I know what places are good? Do places like pearle vision and lenscrafters have good eye doctors with reasonable prices on glasses?

Also, do dentists in nicer suburbs charge a lot more? I live in a nicer area (except my rent is pretty low) and I'm worried that all the dentists charge and arm and a leg, but it's hard to get a feel for their price.

No, they have crappy doctors and the glasses are rip-offs.

Do what Mosh said, ask people you meet. Start now, so that when you need/want an appointment, you have a # to call.

 

[KillerCharlie]

Okay, so I can always have my eyes checked at a good vision place and get lenses/frames elsewhere if I need to.

So back to the dentist question. Do dentists charge vastly different rates? These are all in the same network (Delta I think). Is it okay to call around to different dentists and ask what their rates are for typical procedures, or is that a bad idea?

 

[BigJ]

You have a Costco around you?

They're spectacular for glasses/contacts. Cheap eye exams and cheap goods.

 

[KillerCharlie]

Originally posted by: BigJ
You have a Costco around you?

They're spectacular for glasses/contacts. Cheap eye exams and cheap goods.

My friend works at the corporate Costco offices. He says at the Costco near him they now have machine that you look into that automatically determine your prescription! He also said they did a study and found that Costco has a higher rate of accuracy for prescriptions than other places (they don't mess up as much). Supposedly their frame selection isn't great though.

However, I'm more curious about the dentists...

 

[Dunbar]

Do you have to be a member to get an eye exam at Costco? I refuse to pay for the privilege of shopping at a store.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: Dunbar
Do you have to be a member to get an eye exam at Costco? I refuse to pay for the privilege of shopping at a store.

Not here in NY.

 

[ed21x]

Walmart has some pretty good prices for prescription + frames as well.

 

[d33pt]

costco optometrists lease their space from costco. they are not affiliated with the store. you go to them to get an exam then you can choose to use costco for the frames/lenses or you can take the prescription elsewhere.

 

[KillerCharlie]

So... is it acceptable to call a dentist and inquire about prices? I don't want to sound like an idiot if I call.

 

[mooglemania85]

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
So... is it acceptable to call a dentist and inquire about prices? I don't want to sound like an idiot if I call.

No, it's so much better making an appointment and being surprised at how much all that dental work costs. :roll:

 

[JTsyo]

If you have insurance you can check their website for nearby docotrs that are under your program. Asking others is probably your best bet though.