Choosing a Family Dentist: What to Look Out For

Did you know that since the pandemic, approximately 72% of Americans are becoming more mindful of their oral care habits? An additional 93% of Americans planned to visit their local dentist last year. As pandemic restrictions have lifted and oral hygiene starts becoming more of a forefront thought, you may wonder how you can find a local family dentist. 

Rather than splitting your time between a general dentist and a pediatric dentist for your family, it helps to have one place to schedule all your appointments. Luckily, we have a must-read article for you. 

In our complete guide, we will go over what a family dentist is and some helpful tips and tricks that you can start using today to find a reputable clinic. Keep reading on and learn more information!

What Is a Family Dentist?

Before diving into some tips on finding a local dentist for your family, it helps to know what family dentistry in Delaware, Ohio is. A family dentist focuses on the oral care and health of every age group, from infants to the elderly. 

They are very similar to general dentists, including skill sets, but with an added focus on working with children. The primary benefit of visiting a family dentist is you receive adequate dental health for everyone in your family without having to go to multiple clinics. 

Family dentists are also a bit different than orthodontists. Technically, you can have a dentist who also specializes in orthodontics. The two fields sometimes overlap, but orthodontics has an added specialty of treating gum, tooth, and jaw alignment. 

How To Find the Best Family Dentist

When you choose a dentist for the whole family, here are some helpful tips to improve your searches:

• Qualifications and experience
• Online reviews and/or referrals
• Services offered
• Location
• Advanced dentistry options (e.g., what technology does the clinic use?)
• Emergency services

You can find most of these questions or guidelines on a clinic's website. If not, don't hesitate to call the receptionist and gain more insight. Ultimately, you want an all-in-one dentistry clinic that can handle things such as a child's oral health development to restorative dentistry such as implants or veneers. 

Qualifications and Experience

Dentists are medical professionals that require a bachelor's degree and completion of dental schooling. After this four-year dental school program, they must pass examinations and receive their license. Your family dentist should hold a valid license and have explicit qualifications to work in the field. 

While this is important, you should also inquire regarding their experience. If you have children, it helps to get a feel for how often your dentist or clinic works with pediatrics and how they adapt their communication.

Online Reviews or Referrals

If you have family or friends in the area, ask for a local dentist recommendation. This can give you a headstart in the right direction. Otherwise, look into online reviews on their website or through a simple Google search to find how other people's experiences at the clinic have gone. 

Dental Services

Arguably one of the most essential pieces to finding the best dentist for your family is asking, "what dental services do you offer?" A family dentist should have advanced dental technology, such as:

• Root canals
• Digital dentures
• Digital veneers
• Invisalign 
• Teeth whitening

Additionally, a family dentist will specialize in simple oral exams and cleaning. As your children grow older, ensure there are several options for straightening your teeth. Dentists who are trained and utilize advanced technology will have broader services that are safer and more efficient than old-school methods. 

For example, dental Botox can help manage TMJ syndrome, reducing teeth grinding or clenching. It can also decrease the frequency of headaches or migraines. Dentists skilled at managing TMJ disorder can reduce the need (and high costs) for referrals to other specialists.

Finding 'Family Dentist Near Me'

Location is extremely important when finding a local dentist since you won't want to drive an hour away for every dental cleaning or examination. North Orange Family Dentistry is located right in Delaware, Ohio, providing you with a close dental clinic that the whole family can use. Additionally, don't be afraid to check out the clinic and atmosphere before booking an appointment. 

This is especially important for children who might be slightly apprehensive about visiting a dentist. You want a clean and comfortable environment showcasing dental professionals' expertise and knowledge. 

Emergency Services

Dental emergencies happen, and you want a clinic with up-to-date technology and skills to handle chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth. Dentists can also work with tooth abscesses or decayed teeth.

While it is crucial to find a dental clinic that can handle your emergency case, ensure you have a backup plan. Excessive bleeding, jaw dislocations, and jaw fractures require an emergency room. Ultimately, you can talk to your local dentist in Delaware, Ohio, about your options at the clinic and ask about the closest emergency rooms, just in case!

Find Your Next Family Dentist

A family dentist can reduce costs and the headache of finding multiple clinics for your family. They specialize in treating every age group and use advanced technology for straightening, restoring, or brightening teeth. You can rest assured that North Orange Family Dentistry has something for everyone at our clinic. 

We use the latest technological dental advances to ensure a smooth experience. Whether you need full implants or your kids need their teeth straightened, we have you covered at our local Delaware, Ohio clinic!

Are you ready to get started? Contact us today and ask about insurance coverage and appointment time!