WHAT IS A FAMILY DENTIST?
A family dentist mobile alabama is a dental professional that has the tools and the training to care for everyone in your family, from toddlers to elderly patients. Finding a family dentist can be a great help in minimizing the number of medical office you each visit. Dental care for the whole family under one roof!
Family Dentist vs. General Dentist
Family dentists have the convenience of being able to treat ailments that at a general dentist might have to be referred out to a specialist. Most general dentists provide preventative care and restorative treatment but if you were to need a root canal, they would send you to an Endodontist at another office for treatment. Family dentists often offer those specialized services in house. They have pediatric services to care for your child and endodontic services for root canal therapy. This one stop shop office can make a busy life just a little more manageable!
At a family dentists, you will also likely be able to schedule appointments for you and other members of your family at the same time, saving on trips or waiting for appointments that can be scheduled back to back.
Finding a Family Dental office
As you begin your search, be sure to check websites to ensure that you are looking at an actual family dental practice. A practice may have the word “family” in the name of the practice, but this does not necessarily mean that they are a family practice. The ADA’s website can be a useful tool when conducting your search. Their search options will allow you to narrow the options by location, services provided, and insurance terms. A few steps to take when searching for your new family dentists are:
- Other than preventative care, what services do you anticipate needing in the future? If you or a member of your family would benefit from braces, looking for a practice with an Orthodontist on site could be very helpful.
- If you do have children, you may want to inquire if the practice has a Pediatric Dentist. Most family dental practices do treat children so they are equipped and experienced in treating the younger patient set. Keeping your child at one practice through adulthood can be beneficial to their health and oral care habit development.
Finding a state of the art practice
Asking just a few questions while conducting your search can quickly help you determine how technologically up to date an office is. Ask what type of x-rays the office takes. Most offices are using digital x-rays which use less radiation and therefore are safer than traditional x-ray machines. If the office is still using film, you may want to continue looking. By using advanced technology, a dental office makes visits easier for those who may have some anxiety about going to the dentist. The technology available to dental professionals these days makes practicing dentistry less invasive and more comfortable for the patient.
A family dental practice is a wonderful option to have when considering your family’s dental health needs. A few phone calls can help you find the office to best suit you and your family for years to come!
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