Effective dental care providers are essential for growing families. Every stage of your child’s development is accompanied by changing dental needs. When a new child is about to enter a family, the question of whether they now need a family or pediatric dentist comes up. This leads to some confusion as new parents, in particular, may not be familiar with the difference between the two. We’re here to provide some insight into these two specialists and which one may be right for your family.
Pediatric or Family? Which Dentist Is Right For You?
When selecting a dental provider for your family, it’s important that you choose one you can trust. One of the biggest struggles patients face is understanding all of the technical details regarding dentistry and the specialties within it. There are three common types of dentists used by most families. These three are general, family, and pediatric dentists. Other types of dentists are used when there is a need for specialty work, such as cosmetic, endodontic, or orthodontic care. In general, however, family and pediatric dentists are the ones most popular for families.
What these two types of dentists share is a specialty in treating children, with the pediatric dentist having a greater focus. They also both emphasize the importance of preventative care in ensuring lasting oral health and beautiful smiles. That being said, there are key differences between the two practices.
- Family Dentists: These dentists provide dental care for the entire family, regardless of age. The nature of their practice means they have a heavy focus on younger patients. However, they also work with adults and the elderly. This is one of the major benefits for families seeking a new dentist. All the members of their family are able to be seen at the same location. This can help with managing transportation, payments, insurance coverage, and scheduling appointments. It also means that they’ll be able to stay with the same dentist throughout their life.
- Pediatric Dentists: These dentists have a tighter focus on the care they provide, serving only those under 18 years of age. They’re a great choice for children with complex dental needs and pre-existing dental concerns. Their emphasis on developmental dentistry provides significant benefits when dealing with dental conditions such as improper bite and overcrowding. They also tend to have additional training in providing care for those with special needs and severe dental anxiety.
These specialties each have their own benefits and treatment focus. Family dentists are all about generalized dental care across all ages. Pediatric dentists are there for families with children that have complex dental conditions or special needs. Which choice will be right for you is dependent on factors like these.
Contact Your Local Family Dentist Today!
Along with visiting the clinics and speaking with their staff, be certain that you call your insurance provider as well. There’s nothing quite as frustrating as finding the perfect provider for your family only to discover they don’t accept your insurance. You’ll also want to let the providers meet your children to see if they get on well. It can go a long way to improving the overall dental experience.
