Who Is A Family Dentist?

Dentists appear to have too many specializations for professionals dedicated to oral care only. If you are told to go for family dentistry near you, you must wonder why you cannot just try a general dentist or comprehensive dentist instead. They all sound like they should be doing the same thing, right? In some ways, yes. For one, they all deal with the teeth, gums, jaws, and the mouth in general. But then, it is best to understand what specific services each specialization offers. This way, you don’t book a session with a general dentist when you should be seeing a family dentist. Why would you need family dental care near you?

Family dentists are trained to cater to the oral needs of everyone. They know how the dental needs of children differ from that of adults and can provide specialized care to both groups. It’s exactly what the phrase ‘family dentist’ suggests, a dentist that can treat everyone in the family. It also means that you can get family dental care near you from one dentist from infancy till old age. However, they might not be able to provide every single dental treatment you will need. After going for family dentistry in Bayside, NY, your child can be referred to a pediatric dentist for further assessment and management. But you can trust that your family dentist understands the changes that take place in our mouths at every stage of life. They know exactly what to do whenever you come in for family dentistry in Bayside.

How Are Family Dentists Trained?

A family dentist has to go through four years of dental school after three or more years of undergraduate studies. After this, they undergo a residency program in family dentistry. These years of training allow them to specialize in dental procedures for all ages. One key aspect of their training is the focus on educating their patients on teeth cleaning practices. A child can get lessons on proper brushing while the grandfather gets taught on proper denture cleaning.

How Do They Differ From General Dentists?

General dentists also go for three or more years of undergraduate school before getting trained in dental school. They are well equipped to cater to your oral health needs like family dentists. However, general dentists work with specific age groups only. This means that your general dentist may work with adults above 17 only. Your 14-year-old girl cannot get treated at your general dentist’s office in this case as opposed to your family dentist. They usually offer routine cleanings, root canals, veneers, crowns, dentures, tooth extraction, and other services to their clients.

What Services Do Family Dentists Offer?

Family dentists offer several services meant for every age group. But, it is possible to see a family dentist offer some services that another does not offer. Hence, a family dentist can offer cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, and orthodontia. Another family dentist might not. There are some common services most of them offer. Let’s see which ones.

Most family dentists offer routine check-ups, cleanings, and exams. These are important appointments for your family to keep with the dentist. They can monitor the oral health of everyone this way. It also allows them to detect possible problems early enough.

Many family dentists offer fluoride treatments and dental sealants to children. Pediatric dentists offer these too. Dental cavities are very common in childhood and your family dentist is committed to preventing them in your child. Fluoride treatments and dental sealants are ways to achieve this. During your routine visits, they also assess children for cavities. The earlier they are discovered, the better. They can start treatment if they notice any problems.

Gum disease is common in adults and family dentists are trained to treat many cases of gum disease. They achieve this with deep cleanings, gum flap surgery, and medication use.

After assessing you, your family dentist will refer you to the right specialist if they have determined that you need specialized care. You can rest assured that the oral health of your family is safe in the hands of a family dentist.