Blog

When you’re deciding whom to choose as your dentist, you have a lot of options in front of you. You could choose a specialist who caters to a particular type of patient, or you could opt for a practice that focuses on treating adults while you find a separate pediatric dentist for your children. Of course, you could also choose a family dentist who can take care of you, your spouse, and your children. Let’s take a moment to discuss some of the unique advantages that come with choosing a family dentist.

Choosing a family dentist can help you save time in a couple different ways:

• Block scheduling. When it is time for everyone in your family to have their biannual checkup and cleaning, you can ask the dentist’s staff if they can schedule a block of appointments so everyone in your clan can receive care at the same time.
• Less travel. No one wants to run all over town for dental appointments. A family dentist provides a robust array of services in one convenient location. In the rare case that a family dentist cannot provide a necessary service, they will refer you to a trustworthy local specialist.

Insightful Care

When the same practice is responsible for the oral health of everyone in your family, they can keep alert for any genetic issues or common habits that might affect you or your loved ones. The can thus coach your whole family on best practices for maintaining healthy, functional smiles.

Build Strong Relationships

The term “family dentist” can mean so much more than a dentist who treats entire families. Family dentists also tend to be family-friendly, meaning that they usually have a warm personality that makes it easy for patients to establish a rapport with them.

Also, if your children see you visiting the same dentist as them, it will help them feel less nervous when their own time comes to settle into the big chair. They may even come to love their dental appointments!

Straightforward Payments

If everyone in your family visits separate dentists, you’ll have to keep track of a lot of different financial policies. You’ll have to learn which dentists accept insurance, whether they are in-network with your insurance, whether they accept third-party financing, and more. Conversely, when your whole family visits the same dental practice, you only have to familiarize yourself with one financial policy. Plus, family dentists are usually quite understanding of their patients’ financial circumstances. They’ll work with you to ensure that you can receive top-quality care without fretting too much about the numbers.

Are you thinking about finding a new dentist? Consider choosing a family-oriented practice that can care for everyone in your household.

About the Author

Dr. Benjamin Naylor is a family dentist in Springfield, OR. He is a graduate of Roseman University College of Dental Medicine. As a father of three, he has a personal appreciation for the value of family-focused dental care. To learn more about Dr. Naylor and how he may be able to help you and your loved ones enjoy excellent oral health, contact our team at 541-345-5363.