Last cleaning was... a while ago. Or you've got tooth pain and keep pushing the appointment. Or you want to fix something cosmetic - whitening, crowns, veneers - and aren't sure where to start. DMV dentists range from genuinely good to the type that finds something billable at every visit.
A good dentist takes X-rays on a sensible schedule (usually every 2-3 years for healthy patients, not every 6 months) and explains what they're seeing. They give you honest guidance on watch-and-wait vs. act-now, and don't push you into a crown the same visit they first see an issue. Get a second opinion on anything over $1,000 that wasn't on your radar.
New patient exams plus cleaning typically run $150-$300 without insurance. Ask about their payment plans if you're uninsured - most practices have financing through CareCredit or similar. Red flag: a practice that pressures same-day scheduling for non-emergency work, or quotes treatment plans with insurance approvals they claim to "guarantee" in advance.