How to Choose a Dermatologist

Your first assignment when searching for a good dermatologist is to ask about credentials. Every dermatologist must belong to a licensed board that is governed by a state or by a federal organization.  A good dermatologist will respect your need to find out as much as possible and will provide a brochure that explains his or her background.  The biggest mistake you can make is not knowing whom you are dealing with or expecting a treatment that the dermatologist does not actually offer as a part of his or her practice! Even though a dermatologist says that he or she went to a medical school, you should check out the credentials of that school. Some schools are better than others when it comes to dermatology. You can find out medical school rankings by doing a search on Google online. The school should have prestigious residency programs and professors that are respected in the field of dermatology. It is also crucial that the doctor completed a three-year residency program in dermatology at a single school. If it was done at more than one school then the dermatologist may not be fully qualified.

You should also settle with a dermatologist that makes you feel comfortable.  This means that you do not feel condescended to in any way or like your questions are stupid or not important. This is especially true when it comes to asking questions about money.

You can also find out a lot about a doctor by doing Internet research about him or her. The Better Business Bureau and local watchdog associations might also have information about the dermatologist’s competency and services. Aside from that use your own eyes. If the office is in shoddy condition and the equipment looks old or unclean then chances are you are not dealing with a great doctor.

Yet another good sign of a good dermatologist is one that is constantly a public speaker or is often invited to attend Local, Regional or International Dermatological Conferences. This means that the doctor is up to scratch when it comes to knowing the latest developments in dermatology.

It also helps to ask the dermatologist if he or she has a specialty. Some specialize in treating acne, others in anti-aging treatments and yet others in treating and preventing the moles and marks that are signs of skin cancer. It is a good idea to use the specialist that is most suited to your particular problem. Although all dermatologists are basically competent it might not be the best idea to ask for botox injections from a dermatologist whose specialty is treating burn victims.