Choosing the Right Family Dental Care Provider
Family dentists meet the dental needs of patients regardless of their age. It can be priceless to find a family dentist who is familiar with your family’s needs. This may include things such as a first tooth, oral hygiene practices, the impact age has on oral health, tooth loss, and other issues.
It is critical to ensure the dentist has good rapport and relevant experience. This ensures the patient can maintain a positive and productive long-term relationship with the dentist. One tool which can be valuable in choosing a good family dental care provider is actually the practice's website. The website frequently has helpful and pertinent information. This may include reviews, testimonials, summary of services, biographies, and other helpful information. Another good resource is simply speaking with friends and family regarding their suggestions for a good family dentist.
When considering potential providers, it is helpful to prepare questions and concerns relevant to your family’s needs. Prevention is a key component of good oral health. Good family dentists place an emphasis on the education of patients regarding best practices for good oral hygiene in addition to good habits.
Below is a summary of things which can aid in choosing a family dental practice.
- Current and future dental needs: This may include things such as appointment frequency and the potential need for braces in the future. In some cases, the practice may have a general dentist in addition to an orthodontist in the office. It can be incredibly convenient to have access to multiple specialties in a single location.
- Pediatric dentists: Pediatric dentists receive additional training which places an emphasis on treating patients with special needs and younger patients.
- Communication: Effective communication is critical in the education of best practices and a good oral hygiene regimen.
- Emergency care: Inquire about the practice’s policy for how they handle any emergency needs. It is not uncommon for patients to have emergency dental needs which occur in the evenings or on weekends. Children can be especially prone to injuries when you least expect it.
- Dental insurance and record keeping: Ensure the practice accepts your dental insurance. It is also helpful if records are stored in a permanent file for patients where they can be easily accessed when needed.
- Dental practice location: Be cognizant of the office location and its proximity to your home, school or work. Patients are more likely to make routine dental visits if they are conveniently located.
- Ease of scheduling: Family schedules are incredibly busy. Verify that the practice hours accommodate your schedules. It is helpful when practices send reminder notifications regarding appointments. Flexible cancellation policies are also helpful in the event of unexpected conflicts or illness.
- Provider financing and payment options: Be familiar with the family dentist’s financing and payment options because dental care can be expensive. It is unlikely that all services will be covered by insurance.
- Professionalism and care: Your family should feel comfortable, safe, and cared for by the family dentist. It is vital to have a good working relationship with the provider. A family dentist should be professional and provide high quality care for their patients.
Finding a family dentist can be time consuming but it is well worth your time. Many providers can schedule a consultation with potential patients to ensure it is a good fit for your family.
Call the office today to schedule a consultation and meet with our team. We look forward to the opportunity to serve your family and help each of you maintain good oral health.