Finding doctor, dentist, etc: where to start?
 

Are there resources to help start the search for doctors, dentist, veterinarian, etc? We just moved in a couple weeks ago and realized we should get started on this. All advice welcome!

Give some thought to providers outside the "bubble". A lot of excellent providers and resources and not so long to wait to get in.

A good and reasonable dentist is especially hard to find. Some dental offices in The Villages will try to rip you off with unnecessary treatments. "Deep cleaning" is something that I never even heard of before moving here. I use Dr. Lunsford in Leesburg.

Just use the search option on this site. I also suggest outside of the Village Health system. More choices of good doctors. Best of luck on a dentist.

start with your health insurance plan and see who is covered.
Google search on the doctor and see what others say. Remember most people do not post unless they have a problem so a bad post may not be representative of the practice.

Outside the bubble, as we do not like Advantage plans:
PC Doctor, we use Central Florida Health Care, route 441 Leesburg, just below the Lake Harris boat ramp, it is a drive, but he is very good.
Dentist, baylee Dental, Baylee Plaza, on 441 just south of 42, no "up selling", however they do not accept any insurance, if you have insurance they give you a filed our form for you to get paid after you pay them. Very good dentist.
Vet: We use Wildwood Animal Care, route 301 in the shopping center with ACE hardware and the Post office, very good care of the cats.

Hope this helps. Welcome to The Villages.

Are you under 65? If so you should look into The Villages Health. It does take a while to get your first appointment but most of their primary care physicians are excellent. Once you've had your first appointment the service is excellent - 30 to 60 minute annual physical appt. with physician. Can usually get same day appt. to see PA for medical issues. I'm very pleased and so are a number of my friends. They take many insurance plans if you're under 65. If you're over 65 they only take a few Medicare Advantage Plans.
I've heard people have found physicians that are happy with outside of The Villages Health. If you do a search I'm sure you will find names.

Thanks for all suggestions! We are under 65 (for a couple more years) and currently have Florida Blue, nothing Medicare yet. No dental insurance, have been paying as we go (in Indiana). I'll start at the Florida Blue website and see what's nearby in our plan and won't rule out The Villages Health.

dentist: Forrest Jerkins - small family practice does not push procedures
dry mouth dentist: William Hendry
both accept Delta dental insurance

It can take 6 months or longer to get into TV clinics and all specialists require a referral which in of itself is a long, clunky process. We started with a physician in Leesburg, neither of us Medicare yet. My husband is happy with his physician in Leesburg, I am now just able to get into a new Dr. here and is already booking 2 months out. The Lessburg hospital is good BTW too, has no impact on the primary care physician you choose.