What is family dentistry?
Family dentistry is exactly what it sounds like: a dentist who cares for the whole family. In dentistry, many providers specialize in certain age groups. For example, there are pediatric dentists, adult dentists, and even dentists who specialize in geriatrics.
A family dentist sees someone throughout their entire life. That means being trained to care for patients from the very beginning of life all the way through the later stages. In this practice, the youngest patient treated to date was 2 weeks old, and the oldest was 103 years old. That range shows what family dentistry really looks like.
One of the most rewarding parts of family dentistry is getting to care for generations. That can mean treating the grandmother, the child, the grandchild, and even the great-grandchild. It is especially meaningful to build those long-term relationships and to feel like part of the family.
It is also fascinating from a clinical standpoint. When a dentist sees multiple generations, they may notice patterns in dental issues that can be genetic. If a grandparent is dealing with a certain condition, those early signs can often be recognized sooner in the child and even earlier in the grandchild. That gives the practice an opportunity to focus on prevention before problems become more serious.
What's the benefit of going to a family dentist?
The biggest benefit is being able to catch things early in younger generations, especially because many dental issues can have a genetic component.
For example, a woman came into the office whose mother was also a patient, and the mother had lost all of her teeth. Now that the daughter is being seen, the practice can watch for similar issues much earlier. The daughter may even be able to share when her mother’s problems began and how they progressed. That kind of family history helps identify risks sooner so steps can be taken now to prevent those same outcomes. Prevention is always the best-case scenario.
Another benefit is that technology has become much more advanced. Older patients may not have had access to the tools and treatment options available today, but younger generations can benefit from modern technology that helps prevent or manage issues more effectively.
There is also the familiarity that comes with one office caring for everyone. When the whole family is seen in the same practice, it creates a sense of comfort and connection. It becomes one big family, and that is a real advantage of going to a family dentist.
Is it true that all dentists offer family dentistry?
A common misconception is that all dentists offer family dentistry, but that is not true. A true family dentist is someone who has the training, and often additional education, to treat patients at every stage of life.
As mentioned earlier, some dentists are trained specifically in pediatrics, some in geriatrics, and others may focus only on adults in the middle years. Family dentistry requires the ability to care for all of those age groups.
In this case, that has included more extensive pediatric training, more extensive geriatric training, and experience with everything in between. The other doctors in the practice are similar as well. That is what makes the difference. Not every dentist wants to, or is equipped to, care for the entire family.
What services fall under family dental care?
Family dental care is really comprehensive care. That means it covers all areas of dentistry across every stage of life.
Services can range from simple dental cleanings and fillings to crowns, bridges, extractions, and dental implants. In this practice, it includes the full spectrum of care. Whatever a person may need from the earliest age to the later stages of life is what the office is prepared to provide.
How can I find a good dentist?
This is one of the most important questions, because finding a good dentist can feel difficult. It can almost seem like luck of the draw. You go in for an exam, and it is a bit like a first date, except even faster, because you may only spend 30 minutes to an hour together.
Some helpful questions to ask include: What age ranges do you care for in your practice? What types of services do you offer? Another especially good question is: What do you have to refer out? That question tells you a lot about the expertise level of the practice. It takes a lot of trust and courage to choose one office or one doctor. If you are being referred out for many services, then you may have to start that trust-building process all over again somewhere else.
It is also important to look at reviews and testimonials. Are the majority of reviews positive or negative? Most platforms use a five-star system, so see how close the practice is to five stars and how many reviews they have. There is a difference between a five-star rating with 16 reviews and a 4.9-star rating with a thousand reviews. Those details matter.
Another thing to consider is the dentist’s involvement and presence. You can often learn a lot from what someone shares on their website and social media. Does the dentist seem like a family-oriented person? Does the practice look and feel like a family practice? Those are all things you can evaluate before you even come in.
Most importantly, if you come in already feeling confident that you chose the right place, that will help the whole process. Those are the kinds of things to look at when deciding whether a dentist is the right fit for you and your family.
How can I schedule an appointment with Inspire Dental?
At Inspire Dental, you come first. Whether you need dental care or simply have questions, call us at (210) 972-0768 or email [email protected] to schedule your visit. Our team is here to help you every step of the way.