With the right dentist, you and your family can receive high-quality oral care and recommendations for good oral hygiene habits.
Finding a good dentist requires researching what services are offered and what patient ages are accepted. Here are some questions you should ask to find the right family dentist:
What Services Are Offered?
Dentistry has a few specialties that determine which services are offered at a practice, including cosmetic, family, and general specialties. Family or general dentists provide more than one kind of service. Periodontists or orthodontists may only provide one service type concentrated on a specific area or aspect of the mouth.
A cosmetic dentist will focus on treatments that aim to improve the appearance of the patient’s teeth and mouth. Their services may include teeth whitening, clear aligners, and veneers.
Family dentists offer treatments like cleanings and exams, mouth protection devices, and bad breath treatments. They also do restorative procedures like fillings, root canals, crowns, and implants. One of the most significant benefits of a family dentist is that they can treat the entire family in one building.
This makes scheduling appointments a much simpler process. Evaluate your family’s main oral health needs to help you find dentists who offer treatments that address all of those needs. If you are searching for comprehensive dentistry services, family dentists are a good solution.
Is Your Insurance Accepted?
The cost of dental treatments varies depending on the type and severity of the service. Dental groups usually accept insurance to minimize the financial burden of treatments, but not all practices accept every insurance provider.
Before choosing a dentist for you and your family, check their website or call the office to verify which insurance types are accepted.
For large families, selecting a dentist that accepts your insurance may make multiple yearly appointments more affordable. It also allows you and your family to access a broader range of services that other practices won’t cover.
Some dentists add more insurance providers to their networks over time. Check back in with these practices occasionally if you want to visit their dentist, but they don’t currently accept your insurance.
What Age of Patients Are Accepted?
Children should start seeing a dentist at around 6 to 12 months old. It is commonly recommended that people of all ages see a dentist every six months for teeth cleanings, oral exams, and X-rays. A general dentist may only accept adult patients, and a pediatric dentist only accepts child patients.
Family dentists accept patients of all ages, from pediatric to geriatric. This makes family providers a great choice for families and individuals who want to visit a single office for all of their dental needs.
Schedule an Appointment With a Family Dentist
The right dentist for you and your family offers the services you need, treats patients of all ages, and accepts your dental insurance. You and your children should feel comfortable with your dentist. Your dentist should also provide high-quality treatments that improve the health of your teeth and gums. Reach out to a family dentist today to schedule appointments for you and your family.