subject: Choosing Your Family Dentist [print this page] The best time to find a dentist is before you need one, and definitely before a tooth or gum emergency arises. If your family does not yet have a dental professional that you go to whenever you need general care for your teeth and gums, then it's a good idea to choose one. Establishing a relationship with a dental health provider is simply better overall. You and your family are more comfortable when seeking treatment for your teeth and gum care, and it helps the professional give you better care when he or she sees you regularly.
Shopping for the Right One
Finding a family dentist can take a little while, and it should if you want to choose wisely. Some professionals specialize only in adult care, others in pediatric care, while others specialize only in certain areas such as cosmetic dentistry or surgery. You need to weed those professionals out, and concentrate on ones who are experienced in treating all ages. This could mean that you or one of your family members will be referred to a specialist in some circumstances, and that's fine. For general teeth and gum care, your family practitioner will be the one you see most often. After narrowing down your choices call some of them and ask some general questions about what you are looking for in your family practitioner. Go with your instinct about who feels right for your family.
Scheduling a Consultation
It's a good idea to schedule a consultation with your chosen family dentist before anyone goes in for treatment. You could make an appointment for a cleaning, and ask for extra time to simply sit and talk for a while. You can discuss in more detail what you and your family need, and if anyone in your family might have any special needs. It's a good time to set up some teeth cleanings and check-ups for your family as well.
Periodic Reviewing
As the years go by and your family grows, and kids get older, you want to check now and then to make sure that your family dentist is still meeting everyone's needs. More often than not you'll find no problems there, but you want to make sure.
Building a good, lasting relationship with a family dentist is a good thing for your family. You'll feel more comfortable when you go in for treatment, and you'll feel confident that everyone will get the best care.
by: Abigail Aaronson
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