For many people, choosing a family dentist starts online. For example, you can check the following online tools and databases to start your search:
- The American Dental Association’s (ADA) dentist locator tool. You can narrow your search by location or dentistry specialization.
- The provider database associated with your dental insurance plan.
- The dental society that services your area.
- Using a search engine on the internet, like Google
Family, friends and coworkers may also provide a recommendation, so ask around. Chances are, you’ll have several family dentists to choose from – but be sure to ask the right questions during your search. Some important questions to ask include:
- Does this family dentist offer the services my family needs?
- Does this practice take my dental insurance?
- Does this dentist have a strong reputation among patients?
- Does the practice offer a convenient location and convenient hours?
When researching family dentistry practices, the answers to these questions will guide your search. Here is why those answers are important:
1) A family dentist can provide all the services your family needs now, and into the future
If you’re searching for a family dentist, you likely have children or are planning on having children eventually. If so, your family may require a greater range of services than the typical patient. This refers to pediatric dental services, as family dentists have experience working with patients of all ages.
For example, family dentists typically provide the following services:
- Pediatric examinations and cleanings
- Pediatric X-rays
- Various fillings and dental sealants
- Pediatric gum disease and gingivitis prevention/treatment
- Orthodontic evaluations
- Extractions
With their experience treating younger patients, family dentists are equipped to care for the entire family, and since they frequently work with children, family dentists invest in ways to reduce dental anxiety – a problem for many patients, not just children. This could be sedation dentistry, such as laughing gas, or the use of gentler forms of dentistry, such as laser dentistry. Dental lasers are growing in popularity among family dentists because they cause less discomfort and are less intimidating for anxious patients. If you know your child has difficulty in a dental environment, consider a practice that offers laser dentistry.
2) Every family dentistry practice has their own policies regarding insurance, so verify before making an appointment
Every family dentistry practice dictates the insurance policies it accepts, and it’s a common oversight for people to make an appointment before confirming their insurance is accepted. If you’re expecting to bring your entire family to the new practice, you’ll want to verify that it will take your insurance.
You can often find information regarding insurance on the practice’s website, or you can call the practice and ask directly. Alternatively, your insurance provider may have an online database where you can search for in-network practices only.
3) A family dentist with excellent customer reviews and credentials is trustworthy
Trust is an important quality in a family dentist, as parents rely on their dentist to provide safe, efficacious treatment for their children. Patient reviews are one way to assess this, but you’ll need a large number of reviews to draw any firm conclusions. Pay attention to any trends in the reviews, such as remarks about communication, qualifications, professionalism, or customer service. You’ll work with the dentist’s staff during every appointment, so they should be easy to work with, and customer reviews can provide insight in this area.
Education, training and credentials are also important for family dentists, and you can typically access these credentials on the practice’s website. Look for dentists who are active members of dental associations and, at least, have a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry).
4) Family life only gets busier with time, so convenience is important
Many families prefer to establish a long-term care relationship with their family dentist. This gives everyone a chance to get comfortable with the practice and ensures the dentist can track each patient’s oral health across time. However, if you’re looking for a long-term family dentist, prioritize one that has a convenient location and convenient appointment hours.
As the kids get older and your family’s schedule fills up with activities, it will be harder to fit those dentist appointments in, especially if they’re located on the other side of Houston. By picking a nearby location that offers extended office hours, it will be easier to stay on schedule with your dental appointments.
What's the difference between family dentists and other dentists?
You may hear the terms “family dentist” and “general dentist” used interchangeably – even among dentists. They offer many of the same services, but there is one significant difference – the age range of the patients they serve. Many general dentists require patients to be of a minimum age before they will provide treatment. These dentists may refer parents with young children to a pediatric dentist for their oral heathcare needs.
Family dentists make it clear that they serve patients of all ages and are comfortable providing pediatric services. Family dental practices have kid-friendly offices designed to make children feel comfortable, and they offer services that children are more likely to need (such as dental sealants).
Choose a Family Dentist That Can Serve Your Family for Years to Come
A trusted family dentist can support your family’s oral health throughout the years, from early childhood to adulthood. If you’re searching for a family dentist, you can find one online by researching each practice’s services, their location, their hours, the insurance they take, and their reputation among patients. No matter where you live in Houston, there’s a family dentist that can provide all of the above for your family.