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 Onalaska, WI
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 Siegert Dental at 608-394-3943 for an appointment in our Onalaska office.
As your family grows, you may be considering a family dentist as a good option to take care of everyone's dental health in one place. There are a few signs you can look for that it is time to make a change and schedule appointments with a family dentist.Some dentists are limited in the patients…
A family dentist is an excellent choice for the entire family. If you are a parent, you know that the health of you, your children, and your partner are a top priority. Often, many parents do not schedule their dental appointments because scheduling conflicts with their children’s. This problem goes away when you find your…
Unlike other body organs, your teeth cannot regenerate when damaged. Therefore, you will need to repair the teeth with synthetic materials to have a full-functioning smile. Here are some tips from a family dentist to help maintain proper oral care to preserve the only set of natural teeth you will ever have.Brushing removes plaque, a…
A dental restoration can repair your teeth and improve your smile. Following the recommended aftercare…
Whatever your reason for getting a smile makeover, a skilled dentist can help transform your…
Getting the right dental restoration can improve your appearance and dental health. Your dentist will…
A dental restoration can stop the progress of dental problems from decay or injury. Dental…
Any dental restoration can be challenging to budget for. Discussing the particulars with your dentist…
A good dental restoration can improve your oral health and quality of life. It is…
