Introduction
Selecting the right dentist is an important decision when it comes to you and your family’s dental health. There are key differences between family dentists and general dentists that you should consider when choosing a dental provider. Understanding these differences will help you make the best choice for your family’s specific needs and ensure you receive comprehensive dental health services.
What is a Family Dentist?
A family dentist provides complete dental care for patients of all ages. They offer general dentistry services as well as specialized dental treatments. Family dentists are trained to treat patients from childhood through adulthood. Their focus is providing dental health services for the entire family.
Family dentists offer a wide range of general dentistry services including cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, extractions, and root canals. They also provide cosmetic dental services like teeth whitening, veneers, braces, and Invisalign clear aligners. For children, they offer treatments like sealants and fluoride applications.
In addition to general and cosmetic dentistry, family dentists provide specialized services based on advanced training and certifications. These may include dental implants, orthodontics, sleep dentistry, oral surgery, and sedation dentistry. Their broad range of services allows them to meet all the dental health needs of every family member.
Benefits of Choosing a Family Dentist
There are many advantages to choosing a family dentist over a general dentist:
- Comprehensive care. Family dentists can provide complete dental care for patients of all ages from routine cleanings to complex treatments. You don’t need to see different dentists for kids and adults.
- Specialized services. Family dentists offer advanced services like orthodontics and sedation dentistry based on extra training and certifications.
- Preventive focus. Family dentists emphasize preventive oral care starting at a young age with sealants and fluoride. This prevents future dental problems.
- Ongoing care. Family dentists develop long-term relationships with patients and have complete dental histories. This improves care over time.
- Convenience. It’s easier to schedule appointments for the whole family with one dentist. Record-keeping and billing is also streamlined.
- Comfort. Children are more comfortable going to the same trusted dentist as their parents and siblings.
- Emergencies. Family dentists are prepared to handle dental emergencies or pain for all family members.
What is a General Dentist?
A general dentist provides general dental health services to patients of all ages. They diagnose and treat basic oral health issues. General dentists offer services like cleanings, cavity fillings, crowns, bridges, extractions, and root canals. They focus on the most common dental problems.
Most general dentists are skilled at performing cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening and veneers. However, they do not have advanced training or offer specialized services like orthodontics. General dentists refer patients who need significant cosmetic dentistry or complex treatments to dental specialists.
General dentists are a good choice for basic oral care and solving simple dental issues. They provide sufficient general dentistry services for patients without complicated conditions. Routine cleanings and fillings make up much of a general dentist’s work.
Drawbacks of Choosing a General Dentist
Here are some potential downsides of relying solely on a general dentist:
- Limited services. General dentists are not trained to perform specialized procedures like dental implants or orthodontics. These require referrals to specialists.
- Fragmented care. You may need to visit multiple dental offices for cleanings, basic care, and advanced treatments. There is no continuity.
- Lack of preventive focus. General dentists usually don’t emphasize preventive dentistry for kids like sealants as much as family dentists.
- No ongoing relationships. General dentists may not get to know patients and their dental histories as closely over time.
- Referrals required. Expect to be referred out anytime you need significant cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, or sedation dentistry.
- Age limits. Many general dentists only accept older teenage and adult patients. Younger kids need to see a pediatric dentist.
Why Choose a Family Dentist for Your Family
In most situations, a family dentist is the best choice for fully comprehensive dental care. Here are some key reasons to choose a family dentist over a general dentist for your family:
- One dentist can treat your entire family from childhood through adulthood. General dentists may not accept very young children.
- Family dentists emphasize preventive care starting at a young age with sealants and fluoride treatment. This prevents dental problems.
- Family dentists develop specializations like orthodontics, allowing them to provide advanced treatments in-house without referrals.
- You can develop an ongoing relationship with a family dentist who sees your family for years and knows your dental histories well.
- Family dentists are trained to treat special needs patients and anxious patients of all ages with compassion.
- Scheduling is simpler when the whole family sees one dentist. Billing and records are also centralized.
- Family dentists provide emergency dental treatment for the entire family as needed.
Take time to find the right family dentist for your family’s needs. Schedule a consultation to meet the dentist and staff. Make sure the office provides all of the dental services your family requires. Take advantage of specialized training and an emphasis on prevention to keep your family’s smiles healthy for life.
FAQs
What is the difference between a family dentist and a general dentist?
A family dentist provides comprehensive dental care for all family members, from children to adults. They offer general, cosmetic, and specialized dental services. General dentists focus on basic dental care for patients of all ages.
What types of services do family dentists provide?
Family dentists provide all general dentistry services like cleanings, fillings, crowns, etc. They also offer cosmetic treatments and specialized services based on additional training like orthodontics, oral surgery, sleep dentistry, and more.
Do family dentists treat both children and adults?
Yes, family dentists are trained to provide complete dental care for patients of all ages, from early childhood through adulthood. This avoids the need to see different dentists.
When should I take my child to see a family dentist?
You should begin taking your child to a family dentist around their first birthday. The family dentist will provide preventive oral health care like fluoride treatments and sealants to help protect your child’s teeth.
Do family dentists provide emergency dental care?
Yes, family dentists can provide emergency dental treatment for patients of all ages. Having one dentist for emergencies and all dental needs simplifies treatment.
Why choose a family dentist over a general dentist?
Family dentists offer comprehensive care for all family members, specialized services, preventive treatments starting in childhood, emergency care, and ongoing dental relationships. General dentists have limited services, don’t emphasize prevention, and refer out complex treatments.
What should I look for when choosing a family dentist?
Choose an experienced family dentist who provides all general and cosmetic dental services your family needs. Confirm they have specialized training and accept patients of all ages. Also, choose an office close to your home that accepts your insurance.
How do I schedule my first appointment with a new family dentist?
Call the dental office, mention you are interested in becoming a new patient, and schedule a consultation. This first appointment allows you to meet the dentist, ask questions, and determine if it is a good fit for your family.
