A family dentist is a dentist who treats patients of all ages. They often provide diagnostic, preventive, restorative, and cosmetic services that are intended to meet their patients' long-term dental needs.
The Advantages of Visiting a Family Dentist
Family dentists care for the entire family, prioritize prevention over restoration care for long-term treatment, provide a child-friendly setting, and maintain a complete record of your oral health. Here's a closer look at each advantage of family dental care in NYC.
1. Comprehensive Dental Services For the Entire Family
First and foremost, seeing a family dentist provides specialized care for the entire family. A family dentist can address a variety of oral health and cosmetic concerns, from routine cleanings for adults to filling cavities in children.
2. A Long-Term Commitment to Preventive Care
Family dentists are intended to be your long-term dentist, whom the entire family attends on a regular basis (usually once every four to six months). The goal is to focus on preventing oral health disorders rather than simply treating them once they arise. This can help families in a variety of ways.
Primarily, an emphasis on preventive care rather than restoration therapy lowers expenses for parents and eliminates the need for more intrusive procedures, which helps to lessen children's risk of dental anxiety.
3. A Child-Friendly and Welcoming Office Environment
Another significant advantage of visiting a family dentist is that they usually have a welcoming environment for children and teenagers. Dentists who almost exclusively handle adult patients are less worried about how children would feel in the office, whereas family dentists frequently go above and beyond to assure children's comfort. For example, they may brighten up the office, ensure that the staff learns how to communicate effectively with children, and provide a play area for children in pediatric care at NYC Pediatric Dental Practice.
4. They Retain a Complete Record of Your Oral Healthcare History
Family dentists record everything they do for their patients. This allows them to access the information during follow-up sessions, eliminating the need to learn everything about the patient at each new encounter.
As a result, having a family dentist provides considerably more convenient care and reduces the average time per office visit. It can also save money by reducing the amount of dental x-rays needed and detecting and treating oral health issues before they progress and become more difficult and expensive to address.
What to Expect on Your Visit to a Family Dentist
The first appointment to a family dentist, known as a dental consultation, provides an opportunity for the patient, dentist, and dental staff to get to know each other. Typically, the appointment involves an oral examination, dental x-rays, and a treatment referral.
Restorative treatments are rarely performed on the first appointment, although if the patient feels comfortable, they may undergo less invasive procedures (e.g., a tooth filling). Before leaving, the patient may request a follow-up visit for restorative care or a check-up for themselves or a family member(s).
Common Types of Family Dentistry Services
Family dentistry practices provide a variety of dental services. This includes diagnostic procedures, including dental x-rays, oral exams, and cancer screenings. They also provide preventive services such as fluoride treatments, dental sealants, and regular dental cleanings. Restorative procedures such as dental fillings, crown restorations, and scaling and root planing are typically available to patients.
Many family dentists provide a range of cosmetic procedures, including expert in-office teeth whitening and dental veneers. The long-term goal of dental care with family dentists is to prevent oral health or cosmetic issues through proper oral hygiene at home and regular check-ups every four to six months.
