Family dentistry is the branch of dentistry that is similar to general dentistry, except for the ages the dentist sees. While general dentistry usually restricts patients to a certain age range, family dentistry oversees people of all ages.
How Is A Family Dentist Different From A General Dentist?
Both family dentists and general dentists have similar educational backgrounds. They undergo three to four years of undergraduate study, followed by four years of dental school. Both graduate to become licensed practitioners in the field of dentistry.
They have either a DDS (Doctorate of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctorate of Dental Medicine) degree. Both are the same – the field of study is similar. Some colleges simply offer DDS while the rest offer DMD.
As mentioned earlier, family dentists differ from general dentists only by the ages of patients they see. Family dentists, as obvious from the name, take on patients of all ages – from infants to adults, to seniors.
What Are The Benefits Of Choosing Family Dentistry?
Practicality and Convenience
If you have family members of varying ages, you’re probably spending a lot of time driving them to different dentists for their needs.
With a family dentist, you no longer have to waste a lot of time and effort in this particular endeavor. All your loved ones can be consulted by the same dentist at the same establishment.
Since family dentistry caters to all ages, you can also get multiple treatment options at the same place. Whether it’s a regular checkup or a specific procedure, the management is much simpler.
Preventive Care
Since family dentistry involves seeing members of the same family, dentists are usually well versed with their dental histories. This is of significance when it comes to providing preventive care.
Dental problems that require corrective treatment later in life, like misalignment of teeth can be taken care of in their earliest stages. Other hereditary issues can also be looked out for like screening of oral cancers.
Aside from hereditary issues, family dentists also pay attention to preventive care in little kids. Whether it’s sealants or oral appliances to combat habits, you can find them all.
Great For Kids
Family dentists and the dental staff are adept at dealing with little kids. They understand that little children come with heightened anxiety and might feel afraid of the dentist. Whether it’s fun colored offices or toys and books in the waiting area, family dental offices ensure that a child feels relaxed in the environment they’re in.
The dentist is also great at communicating with children, keeping them at ease during the consult and eventually, the treatment.
Familiarity
A kid who has progressed into an adult can continue visiting the same dentist. This brings in the positive factor of familiarity, which is particularly helpful in alleviating any anxiety. Furthermore, the patient who has been visiting the same dentist for years can be sure of the quality of care they will receive.
Dental Education
One of the responsibilities of a family dentist is imparting general know-how of oral health and hygiene to families. This is of utmost importance when there are little kids in a family. When a child witnesses their entire family being taught about dental care, they pay attention. And in turn, they follow the dentist’s instructions at home.
Family dentistry also includes providing behavioral and nutritional counseling to tiny humans.
How Do I Find A Family Dentist Near Me?
There are numerous ways through which you can find a family dentist that is perfect for you and your family.
Referrals
Referrals and recommendations are a great way to find yourself a dentist that is popular among the masses. And a popular dentist is usually a good one.
Ask the people in your locality for addresses of the offices they visit. They can always talk to you about their experiences at the establishment they go to. This will help you narrow down the offices in your area.
Another great way to find a fantastic dentist is by asking your general practitioner or the local pharmacist. Healthcare workers are closely linked and chances are, they might redirect you to a great office near you.
Additionally, you could also use the American Dental Association’s “Find A Dentist” feature to showcase all the local family dental offices.
Visit The Dental Offices Near You
The only way you’ll be able to decide if a particular office is the right fit for you is by going there for a visit. Schedule an appointment with an office near you and go in for a consult.
You’ll be able to witness the ins and outs of the office – the setup, the hygiene standard, the staff, and the dentist. During your consultation, you can assess the dentist’s communication skills. Do they pay attention to your concerns? Are they patient with answering any questions you have? Are they open to discussing their expertise and skill level?
A dentist who leaves you feeling rushed isn’t the dentist for you. Make sure you feel 100% comfortable with the dentist and their staff and would be willing to return.
River’s Bend Family Dental is the premier family dental establishment in Ramsey. We also welcome people from the surrounding areas – Anoka, Dayton, Nowthen, Otsego, Champlin, Elk River, Coon Rapids, and Andover.
Dr. Andrea Wimmergren is a DDS who takes immense pride in providing her patients with the highest level of care. In addition to Dr. Wimmergren, the dental staff at River’s Bend Family Dental is exceptionally skilled at taking care of the past, present, and potential patients alike.
And since we are a family dental establishment, we take extra care when dealing with our more younger patients. River’s Bend Family Dental offers a fun and comfortable environment for little kids so they are at ease during their visit. Furthermore, we make sure that the child feels like returning for any future appointments.
To schedule an appointment with our in-house dentist, give us a call at (763) 576-1855.
