How to Find a Family Dentist
Finding the right family dentist can feel like a challenge, especially with so many options to choose from. With so many factors to consider, from the services offered to how well they connect with each member of your family, it’s natural to have questions. You want a dentist who understands your needs and can help everyone in your family, from young kids to grandparents. If you’re not sure where to begin keep reading to learn more about how to select a family dentist that’s the right fit for you and your entire family.
Why should I choose a family dentist?
Family dental practices come with many benefits that general practices do not. These benefits include:
- Providing dental services to your entire family, regardless of age.
- Offering multiple specialties so that your family can get all their needs filled in one place
- Building relationships through consistency and familiarity.
- Offering ease of scheduling for busy families.
How do I find a family dentist?
There are many steps that you can take to find the right family dental practice for you and your family. First, you should start with your insurance company, if you have dental insurance. They can let you know of the providers in your network, which can help narrow your search considerably. Most insurance companies offer information on their website that will assist in your search. They will also likely have profiles of providers that you can search through to find the right one for your family. If you do not have insurance, you can begin by a simple internet search of family dentists near you.
The next step is to research the practices online. Once you have narrowed your list down to a few, conduct further research. Review and compare their credentials and the services they provide. Compare their services to your family’s needs. Also consider the future. When selecting a family dentist, it is important to consider the possibilities of what might be needed down the road, so that you are not faced with having to change practices years from now. Another option for finding a family dentist is to ask friends for recommendations. If you have friends with families, they can tell you where they go and how they like their provider.
Once you have narrowed down your selection of family dentists, schedule a consultation to meet them in-person and learn more about their practice. This will allow you to get to know them better and get a sense of their practice. When you arrive, be prepared with questions to better understand what they do and pay attention to how comfortable you feel in the space.
What else should I consider?
There are also other things to consider when selecting a practice.
- Consider how close the dental practice is to your home. You’ll want to make sure that it is convenient to get to.
- Consider the hours of the practice. Big families tend to have busy schedules. You’ll want to ensure that the practice fits your schedule.
- Review and consider the general office policies, such as missed appointments or what to do in case of emergency. Both of which can happen with kids.
What does this mean for me?
There are a lot of options when it comes to choosing a family dentist. The process does not have to be overwhelming though. Selecting the right dentist is important for your entire family, so take your time and do your research.