I'm kinda a lurker, coming out of lurking for a bit.  My parents live in
a TINY town (more cows than people) and about half the town sees the
local dentist, the other half thinks he's a quack. His dentistry may be
marginal, but I think it has more to do with his VERY controversial (and
sometimes offensive) political opinions, that he forces upon everyone in
his chair.

As for finding a good dentist, what one person really likes in a dentist
may not be right for another. There is another dentist, that is highly
recommended by the half of the town that doesn't go to the local one. He
has a main practice in the big city (where I live) about an hour away,
and he has a satellite practice in a small town about half an hour away.
 He is generally regarded as a good dentist. My parents and all my
family see him.  So, when my parents (five years ago now) decided I
needed to go to a dentist (because I hadn't been in five years, a
phobic, and as soon as I moved away from my good middle school/high
school dentist, and was on my own stopped going), they of course signed
me up with him. I'm sure I could have read good things on a site about
him, or asked around and heard some not so good things, but he seemed a
good choice. He did fine for my parents.  They explained my phobia to
the hygienist, who was pretty decent, and to him, and I filled out in
detail about it on the intake form. (I was on disability for a mental
illness at the time, off now and working and doing well in that
department. I had medicaid, which covered dental at the time, and I
think may have made this dentist not so happy to treat me--many
docs/dentists/etc. aren't so fond of medicaid patients, as they often
are not as responsible as other patients and medicaid doesn't pay much
etc.). He was not at all sympathetic to my needs, and in fact almost
refused to treat me mid-procedure. But, I managed to get the couple of
fillings I needed done, though not comfortably.  He does not have gas
equipment in his satellite office, but he does in his main office. He
did not mention this at ALL to me (even though my parents would have
paid for it if medicaid didn't cover it), and he did not offer valium or
anything, just novacaine, and he didn't tell me when he was going to put
his hands in my mouth, just started doing it, NOT what works for me. The
dentist I had before was well trained in pain/phobia management, and did
a great job with me.

Well, He may be a fine dentist for my family, but not for me.  So, it is
great to ask around, look at sites and what not, and get as much
information as you can, but the ultimate test is the appointment, and
how it goes for you. If you don't like the dentist, find a new one.

I made a resolution this year to find a good dentist I can work with. I
asked for a Christmas gift to have a visit with an oral sedation dentist
who specializes in phobics. I know I need to take better care of my
teeth (though they are actually fine amazingly! I do have some gum
issues, but those will soon resolve now that I will get a thorough
cleaning (2 visits, cause there's a lot of cleaning since it's been so
long), and my parents are getting off the hook easy, since I need no
fillings/sedation (except some valium), and my dental insurance is great
for the prophylacitc stuff, just not for the problems.  I had my
appointment with this dentist a couple of weeks ago, and SHE IS
AWESOME!!  Her whole staff is, and they really know how to make phobics
feel better (even the receptionists). SO, I am confident I have found
the right dentist for me for life.

So, even with all the good info in the world, the actual appointment is
really the key. If it doesn't go well, find another dentist. Sure, do
research, and find out some things first, there can be red flags that
will tip you off it won't go well ahead of time, but until you meet the
dentist and see how you interact with him/her you won't know for sure.
If the dentist doesn't meet your specific needs/expectations, then find
one who does.
Just my $.02

Emily

    I hope your expectations can be at least a little bit better than that! ;-)

Steve