Choosing a new dentist is a significant decision. You want to find the right practitioner who makes you feel comfortable and provides the best quality services. If you have a family, you might also want to find a dentist who meets the needs of all your family members. You will find most dentists identifying themselves as family dentists or general dentists or using the terms interchangeably. If you’re not sure of the difference, don’t fret! Austin Dental Specialty Group has explained the difference between a family and a general dentist in this article.

The Key Difference between a General Dentist and Family Dentist

Age Cap

A general dentist receives extensive training before practicing. Their focus is on helping patients maintain a healthy smile. However, they restrict their patients to a particular age group. They often deal with young adults and adults. That means if you have little ones in your family, you have to look around for a dentist who suits their needs.

A family dentist also undergoes thorough training but provides dental care services to all ages. That means if you have toddlers or older adults in your family, the dentist can suit all your needs under one roof.

Offices

Family dentists often style their clinics to be welcoming to families with children. They have child-friendly rooms and equipment. They also provide toys for children to play with as they wait for treatment. They do this to help families have a relaxing and comfortable experience on every visit. It also saves you time as your entire family can be treated in one location.

General dentists often focus on older age groups. This is something reflected in how their dental clinics are designed. They do not have the warm and inviting atmosphere that family dental clinics usually have.

Dealing with Anxious Children

Children fear dental visits due to the smells and unfamiliar sounds and the dentists’ tools themselves. General dentists rarely focus on young children. 

However, because family dentists treat all age groups, they understand that dental visits can be traumatic. Therefore, they are well-prepared to calm scared children. They know the tools to use and engage patients in a conversation throughout the treatment process to make them enjoy every visit. The family dentist also educates patients on cleaning practices and maintaining good oral care habits at home.

Services Offered by a Family Dentist

Family and general dentists offer a similar menu of services. At Austin Dental Specialty Group, we specialize in:

• Preventive Care: Preventive care is a significant part of family dentistry. It prevents potential dental issues with routine dental checkups, professional dental cleaning, and oral cancer screening.
• Pediatric Dentistry: This is dental care specialized for kids. It involves preventative and restorative dental care starting when your kid gets their first tooth. We also specialize in dental sealants, which are great for little ones. 
• Teens Dentistry: We encourage parents to bring their teens to our clinic every six months. The routine visits allow us to assess their oral health and address any issues before they worsen. 

Schedule an Appointment with Our Dentists Today!

If you are looking for the best family dentist in Austin, look no further than Austin Dental Specialty Group. We’ll take good care of all your dental care needs in a relaxed and friendly environment. Call us to schedule an appointment today.