Of the many challenges that new parents face is finding the right kind of care for their growing family. Whether this describes you or you’ve just moved into a new home, it’s important to know how to find new medical providers for you and your family. There’s a great deal to think about when choosing your family’s dental provider, especially when there are children involved. Questions such as “is the dentist skilled with children?”, “can they handle my special needs child?” and “can they handle difficult cases” may all come to mind. Further, what kind of dentist should you pick?  

Family or Pediatric? Which Dentist is Right For You?

We put together this helpful little guide to help you know the difference between pediatric and family dentists. It should provide a sound starting point for making the right decision for your family. As you’re probably aware, there are numerous different specialists available in the field of dentistry. The three types most commonly seen by families are general, family, and pediatric dentists. In this article, we’re going to discuss the differences between pediatric and family dentists.

Both family and pediatric dentists specialize in treating young children, with an emphasis on preventative care. They also educate on dental hygiene practices with the goal of helping families establish lasting practices that result in healthy smiles. Below we’ll examine the differences between these two specialists.

• Family Dentists: This specialist is also a generalist, focusing on the different types of care needed for patients of all ages. While an emphasis on children is included in their care, they also cover teenagers, adults, and the elderly. This practitioner is a great option for the sake of convenience in families of mixed ages. If everyone has the same insurance, it means you can concern yourself with bills coming from only one location. You’ll also be able to schedule appointments together without having to run all over town.
• Pediatric Dentists: Sometimes, however, you need a focused specialist. Pediatric dentists focus on the specific complications that can occur with young patients. The developing oral cavity is full of many complications and potential pitfalls. These dentists know how to identify developmental concerns and provide treatments to address them. They also know how to work with special needs children, those with dental anxiety and difficult temperaments. They’re also able to provide focused care for particularly difficult oral health cases.

These two specialists stand out when looking for a family dentist. The pediatric dentist is your best go-to if your child has complex oral health concerns. Family dentists are a good choice for those with mixed families and fairly typical oral health concerns such as cavities and preventative care.

Consult With Your Insurance Provider For More Advice

A good first step in finding a dental health care provider for your family is your insurance company’s provider directory. This list will ensure that you are selecting a dental provider that is covered under your insurance plan. The next step is checking reviews through various sources, including Yelp, Facebook, and Google, to see what others have to say about them.