Family dentist provide comprehensive oral care for individuals of all ages. They offer routine professional cleanings, dental sealants and fluoride treatments. Additionally, they are able to detect abnormalities that may be difficult for patients to notice on their own.

A primary benefit of choosing a family dentist is continuity of care. This allows children to develop a positive relationship with their oral health providers from a young age and adults to build trust in their dentists.

Continuity of Care

The goal of continuity of care is to ensure patients receive consistent medical attention. This can be achieved through a variety of tactics, including eliminating unnecessary handoffs between practitioners, improving information transfer, and building strong relationships between patients and providers.

Family dentists are uniquely positioned to offer continuity of care as they treat patients of all ages. They are familiar with each patient’s medical history, as well as their specific oral health needs and preferences. This allows them to create personalized treatment plans and track changes over time, which can help detect potential issues before they become more serious.

In addition, a family dentist can be more apt to handle routine dental care, such as tooth extractions or cleanings, for all members of a household. This can save both time and money by allowing patients to have all of their dental needs addressed in one visit. Continuity of care is also important to keep in mind when changing Medicare managed care plans, as the Blue Shield of California (c) Continuity of Care program helps patients retain their current healthcare provider in specific situations.

Specialized Care

Many family dentists have specific training in working with children and special needs patients. They can address issues like dental anxiety, making the experience more comfortable for everyone.

They can also educate patients of all ages on proper oral hygiene practices, and can identify problems that may develop. This helps patients take proactive steps to avoid major problems down the road, such as gum disease or tooth decay.

If a patient loses one of their teeth, family dentists can provide solutions such as bridges and dentures to replace it, improving the overall health of their mouth and preventing other teeth from shifting out of place. They can also refer patients to an oral surgeon if necessary.

Families with kids often have a hectic schedule that may not align well with the standard business hours of most dental offices. With a family dentist, it is possible to book appointments for the whole family at once, saving time and effort.

Convenience

Having one dentist manage the dental care of your family members provides convenience. You don’t have to schedule appointments for your children with a pediatric dentist and yourself with a general practitioner, which can be difficult for busy families.

A family dentist will be familiar with the medical history of your entire family, which can help detect and address potential issues early on. For example, if your child is at risk of developing gingivitis due to genetics or poor oral hygiene habits, the family dentist can implement preventative measures such as fluoride treatments and dental sealants.

If your child has dental anxiety, a family dentist will be able to provide them with a comfortable experience by using kid-friendly language and distraction techniques. They can also offer sedation if necessary for the comfort of your child. This can make going to the dentist much easier for both parents and their children. Ultimately, this will lead to better overall oral health for your family.

One-Stop Shop

One major benefit of choosing a family dentist is that your family will be able to meet all of their dental needs in the same office. Family dentists have had extensive training in working with patients of all ages and understand the unique oral health needs that come with each stage of life.

They will be able to help your kids with brushing and flossing techniques, as well as provide tips on healthy eating habits that can avoid tooth decay. In addition, they will be able to schedule teeth cleanings and 6-month exams for your entire family at the same time, saving you the hassle of coordinating individual appointments for different members of your household.

Lastly, a family dentist will be able to track your family’s medical history and discuss any potential hereditary dental issues that may come up over time. This type of information can be very important for people who are prone to certain types of dental problems, such as gum disease or bone loss.