BestDosage

Methodology

How the BestDosage Score Works

The BestDosage Score (BDS) is a composite rating that evaluates wellness practitioners and centers across five dimensions. It exists because we believe choosing a practitioner should be based on verifiable data, not marketing budgets. No practitioner can pay for a higher score.

Why We Built It

BestDosage was founded by Chad Waldman, an analytical chemist who spent a decade in laboratory science before entering the wellness space. The BDS Score reflects that background: it is data-driven, transparent in methodology, and free from pay-to-play influence. We score practitioners the same way a lab scores samples — against objective, repeatable criteria.

Our directory covers 94,000+ practitioners and 14,000+ wellness centers across all 50 US states. Every listing is scored using the same methodology, updated monthly.

The Five Criteria

1. Credentials & Licensing

30% weight

Active state licensure verification, board certifications from recognized bodies (NCCAOM, IFM, ABIM, etc.), specialty training and continuing education. We verify credentials against state licensing board databases.

2. Clinical Experience

20% weight

Years in active practice, patient volume indicators, specialization depth, and clinical focus areas. Practitioners with deeper experience in specific modalities score higher for those modality-specific searches.

3. Patient Reviews & Outcomes

25% weight

Aggregated review scores from multiple platforms, review volume and recency, sentiment analysis of review text, and consistency of patient-reported outcomes. We weight recent reviews more heavily than older ones.

4. Practice Transparency

15% weight

Pricing visibility (do they publish costs?), treatment approach disclosure, insurance information availability, and willingness to explain their methodology. Practitioners who hide pricing or lack clear treatment explanations score lower.

5. Accessibility

10% weight

Appointment availability and wait times, telehealth options, location convenience, and whether the practitioner accepts new patients. Accessibility matters because the best practitioner you cannot see is not useful.

Minimum Standards

To appear on BestDosage at all, a practitioner or center must meet baseline requirements:

  • Active, verifiable state licensure (where required by law)
  • No active disciplinary actions or license suspensions
  • A physical practice location or verified telehealth platform
  • At least one verifiable credential or certification

Practitioners who do not meet these minimums are not listed, regardless of other factors.

What the Score Does NOT Measure

Transparency means acknowledging limitations:

  • Bedside manner — subjective and varies by patient preference
  • Treatment outcomes for your specific condition — individual results depend on many factors beyond practitioner quality
  • Insurance network participation — we note availability but do not verify every plan
  • Personal compatibility — no algorithm can predict whether you will connect with a practitioner

The BDS Score is a starting point for research, not a guarantee of the right fit. We encourage all users to verify credentials independently and schedule initial consultations before committing.

For Practitioners: Improving Your Score

  • Claim your profile — verified practitioners can add credentials, update contact info, and respond to reviews
  • Add all credentials — every board certification and specialty training counts
  • Publish pricing — transparency directly improves your Practice Transparency score
  • Respond to reviews — engaged practitioners score higher
  • Offer telehealth — improves your Accessibility score

Data Sources & Update Frequency

BDS Scores are calculated from data sourced from:

  • State licensing board databases (all 50 states)
  • Professional association registries (IFM, NCCAOM, ACA, AANP, etc.)
  • Aggregated patient review platforms
  • Direct provider submissions via claimed profiles
  • Public business registration records

Scores are recalculated monthly. Significant changes (new disciplinary actions, license status changes) are reflected within 48 hours of verification.

Find Top-Rated Practitioners Near You

Browse 94,000+ practitioners scored by the BDS methodology.

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