What Is a Family Dentist?

A family dentist is a dentist who treats the entire family and not just its pediatric members or adult members. They specialize in general dentistry, which means they're the jack of all trades when it comes to dentistry.

Some general dentists will concentrate on specific age groups. A family dentist is the one dentist you can bring your children and the adult members of your family to. They offer the convenience of having one place for you to schedule all your dental appointments. 

Additionally, a family dentist will focus on general and preventative dental care. So you and your family members can have your teeth cleaned by a qualified hygienist, and you can have your cavities cared for in the same office. You should also be able to get regular fluoride treatments, sealants, treatments for oral health issues, and orthodontics all in the same office. 

A good family dentist in the Catoosa OK area will also offer emergency dentistry services. So if you crack a tooth or lose a cavity, you can contact a family dentist as your emergency dentist in Catoosa, OK. 

Some family dentists will also stretch themselves into the cosmetic and implant fields. A good dentist understands they will draw in the most clients and keep the most families if they offer multiple services. Thus a Catoosa, OK cosmetic dentistry clinic could also be a dentist who offers dental implants in Catoosa, OK. 

When you step into a clinic of a family dentist in Catoosa, OK, you can expect a patient coordinator to greet you and check you in. The coordinator will also notify the dental team that you've arrived and verify your dental insurance. You'll receive new patient paperwork to fill out as you wait in the waiting room.

After you've completed the paperwork, a dental team member will escort you to a treatment room. They will ask about your dental and medical history. Then a technician will take digital x-rays of your teeth. 

Comprehensive Exam

After you've had x-rays done, a dentist will discuss your dental concerns with you as well as any health history that's relevant to your oral health. The dentist will review the x-rays. Many family dentists will also complete an oral cancer screening at this point by examining your neck, jaw, tongue, and inside of your mouth. 

Next, your dentist will discuss a personalized treatment plan with you. They will give you some options regarding your care including any referrals if your care is beyond their clinic's scope of care.

Hygiene Visit

The first visit to a family dentist may or may not include cleaning your teeth. If you have your teeth cleaned at the first visit, a hygienist will come into the exam room and conduct the cleaning. You need to have stabilized oral health to have a cleaning, and this is why it may not take place at your first appointment. 

During the cleaning, the hygienist will either clean your teeth manually with traditional tools or use a more advanced instrument powered by water. The hygienist will also give you a fluoride treatment at this time. All total, the cleaning will take up to 45 minutes. 

The hygienist typically sends you home with a new toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss so you can continue with healthy oral routines.

Follow-Up Appointments and Payment

After you've finished with your teeth cleaning, you typically will visit a patient coordinator who will schedule your follow-up appointments. If you need more work done, then you'll have to have additional appointments for the cavity or tooth repair.

Otherwise, the representative will schedule you for your next check-up and cleaning six months down the road. 

You will also pay for your services this time and set up appropriate payments if necessary. Many family dentists will offer financing options like CareCredit for families who do not have insurance or cannot pay their bills in full. 

Most family dentists will require you to pay a particular amount up front when you receive services. 

Using a family dentist is one of the smartest things a busy family can do. They offer all of the regular services that a general dentist will offer with a few special benefits.

Scheduling

When you schedule appointments with your family dentist, you make appointments for everyone in your family. This gives you one place to call and one place to coordinate with. You can schedule cleanings and checkups more easily if you have just one contact point.

Comfortable Environment

A family dentist understands that they're working with all members of the family. Thus they work hard to create a comfortable environment for every member of the family from the youngest to the oldest. Furthermore, children who go to a family dentist are more likely to keep the same dentist into adulthood and continue to practice healthy oral habits. 

All family members receive the same treatment as well. This makes explaining treatments to younger children easier because they see mom and dad receiving the same treatment. 

Better Overall Health

When you use a family dentist, you're more likely to have all family members go to the dentist. This means all family members receive better dental care. Some family dentists even bundle their services for bigger families, creating an even bigger incentive to visit them. 

Choose a Family Dentist in Catoosa, OK

If you want to serve your family well, choose a family dentist. You and your children will receive the same care. You can also hold onto the hope that your kids will continue to visit the dentist into adulthood because you're modeling excellent oral health behavior.



Are you looking for a quality family dentist in the 74015 area? If so, contact us. We can help you and your family find excellent oral health.