Is he a bad/unsafe dentist? Dental Standards in IL???

Saw new dentist in the town I have relocated to in IL don't think I'm going back. Got his name from MetLife. Appointment was at 8:15, office opens at 8:00. I arrived on time and had to wait in the hallway because receptionist was late. I almost died when I went in the office. The only way to describe it is "seedy". Receptionist went in the back to spray some kind of air freshener because the water or a/c pump smelled bad she said. Why I didn't walk out then I don't know. The dentist was very nice but.. spent about 5 minutes on my new patient exam, I never saw any sterile packaging, he only used one probe and no other instruments, did not examine all my teeth individually or record info. about them, had no assistant, did x-rays but no panoramic views as he said they were a waste (I've always had them done), office equipment looked ancient, leather cracked and split. He wore gloves - but touched everything so what use were they? Checked online - no discipinary actions. Comments?

Trust your instincts. An insurance company is the last place you should ask for a recommendation for a new dentist.

Ask co-workers or people at your church (or whatever) or even people you meet in stores. After a while, you will start to hear the same name over and over again and this is a good place to try.
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Switch to another dentist. This one is not only unsanitary, but unsafe.

I'm not from Illinois, but dentists need to operate in sterile conditions and follow certain procedures. You may want to report this dentist to MetLife and the American Dental Association.

Trust your instincts; go to another dentist.

Also, let MetLife know of your observations.

Look in the government pages of your local phone book / there should be a number for the dental association of IL or call the board of health and file a complaint. I would not pay them and would never go back there.

If you have questions about the care you receive from a medical professional, you can contact your state's professional licensing department or department of health. Contact your insurance company as well.

Ask someone you know or work with for a recommendation, then call that dentist's office for insurance info. Better yet, stop in and speak to some of the staff directly.

Trust your instincts and walk. Tell Met Life as well. They want to have good referrals and this one doesn't sound like it.

For most people, going to the dentist is a very stressful situation. You need to feel comfortable with your dentist as they should with you. Even if he is the best dentist in the world, if you don't feel comfortable around him and trust him, then you will not receive the care you need. I would ask around, and try to find somebody that you feel good about.