A family dentist is much like a general dentist, providing quality primary dental care for patients. Their educational backgrounds and services are similar. So, how do you decide which professional is right? This article will examine both professionals and explore the key difference that sets them apart.
Both family and general dentists act as primary dental providers for their patients. Both are responsible for their patient's routine dental checkups and cleanings, keeping their patient's dental history and records, and monitoring ongoing dental conditions. In addition, they act as the primary resource for the patient when it comes to dental health education.
Their educational backgrounds are also similar. Both must complete undergraduate and dental school and a licensing exam before they can practice in their state. In addition, they dedicate themselves to continuing education and staying current in their field while striving to continually improve how they serve their patients.
If both general and family dentists are equally qualified, what makes one professional a better choice for some people? The answer lies in the key defining difference between general dentists and family dentists. Family dentists focus on providing a primary dental home for entire families, while general dentists focus mainly on adults.
General dentists typically only treat adults and teens over a certain age. However, because a family dentist treats all family members, their patients' ages can range from 3 years old to 65+. Therefore, they will likely have more experience and skill in treating children.
Though the types of services general dentists and family dentists offer can be similar, a family dentist will have more extensive experience performing procedures that focus on the needs of younger patients. These include flouride treatments and dental sealants—both procedures frequently recommended for children to protect their dental health.
Because family dentists are kid-friendly, they design their offices with children and families in mind. They know that often parents will be coming with their kids. Therefore, they have a kid-friendly waiting room with toys and books to keep children entertained while waiting. In addition, their front office staff will also be accustomed to working with children.
Choosing between a general and a family dentist is not a matter of who is more qualified. The choice has more to do with the specific needs of the patients. Both family and general dentists work excellently with adults.
However, for several reasons, adults and families with small children may find a family dentist to be a better fit. First, lives are busy today, especially for those who have kids. Therefore, having one place to take the whole family for dental care is convenient and saves time. Also, when it comes to children, having a dentist they feel comfortable around is essential. Finally, the added benefit is having a dentist with extensive knowledge of a family's dental history.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Family Dentist in Peabody, MA
We know how important it is to find the right dental home for you and your family. Our team strives to provide excellent services and dental education to our local area. If you are looking for a dental home or have more questions about family dentistry, we can help.
Request an appointment or call Northside Dental Care, PC at 978-206-7077 for an appointment in our Peabody office.
Oral health is important to one’s overall health. A family dentist can provide regular dental checkups, teeth cleanings, and restorative and preventive dental treatments. With such a broad range of services, patients tend to have many questions about family dentistry. In this article, we will answer the most frequently asked questions we hear at our…
Children need to develop healthy oral care habits at a young age so they will carry them into their teenage and adult years, and in this review from a family dentist, we discuss several ways that parents can help protect their children's oral health with healthy habits. We also discuss how a family dentist can…
A family dentist is unique in that they treat all age groups. This ensures that you and your family members can go to the same dentist for all your oral care needs, which makes life easy and saves you time and money. In this review, we discuss the benefits of consulting with a family dentist…
Dental implants are a leading choice for many patients when it comes to tooth replacement. Patients like the idea of a tooth replacement option resembling natural teeth. Dental implants look natural and perform like a permanent natural tooth. Therefore, there is no need to take the tooth replacement out daily for cleaning or worry about…
Many patients prefer dental implants to other dental restorations. The stability and aesthetic improvement that the implants provide can enhance one’s bite and speech, as well as one’s chew and smile. Understanding why implants are popular can convince you to speak to your dentist about getting them. Here are the reasons for the popularity of…