Whether you’re new to parenthood, have recently moved to a new area, or tend to struggle with the stress of caring for your children, finding the right doctors for them can tremendously help them receive the care they need for a happier life ahead. So once their new set of teeth starts to come in, it’s often time to start searching for a friendly dentist that can work with your children. Finding a dentist that you like and trust matters, and it is especially true for children who have dental anxiety or other conditions that may make their appointments stressful. So if you are not sure how to find the right dentist for your child, then here are some ideas to consider and use when looking for dental care for your children.
Pediatric or Family Dentist: What’s The Difference?
Dentists are all doctors of oral health, and with so many specializations out there, it can be not easy to choose. However, for you and your family, the most optimal solutions to consider are either family dentists or pediatric dentists. Both of these specialties treat children as part of their dental care plans and help encourage an all-around focus on preventative care at home to make sure that their patients are caring for their teeth long-term. However, there are also many noticeable differences between these two types of practices:
- Family Dentists: Family dentists are a type of general dentist that works to provide dental care for families of all ages, meaning while they not only treat children, they also treat adults. Some of the benefits of choosing a family dentist are that all costs associated with your family’s dental care can be handled at one practice, especially if you have other members such as grandparents living within your immediate circles. These practices often work to make these types of scenarios as easy as possible and have a wide background in various treatments.
- Pediatric Dentists: Pediatric dentists, on the other hand, specifically work with children. Their focus on children makes them experts in care that involves more complex scenarios, such as mixed dentition, special needs children, and malocclusion. Their specialized training in pediatric dental care makes them highly reliable, and these dentists often have an excellent bedside manner in handling children with specific fears and temperaments while at the office. They can also provide custom advice for your family on caring for their teeth and provide parenting tips for their care long-term.
When it comes to which one to choose, it all depends on your personal needs, what resources are available to you, and your overall goals for your child’s dental care. The best way to begin searching for your dentist is to look at your insurance provider’s directory, read up reviews on the practices in your area, see their community involvement, and most of all, get opinions from other parents in your area about who to trust most with your child’s oral health. Whether you decide to choose a family dentist or pediatric dentist, they’ll both be great options for you and your family.
