Family Dentistry Provides Care for the Whole Family

Are your children afraid of visiting the dentist? Do you dread taking them, knowing that it will be a fight to get them in the chair for their exam? Consider switching to a family dentistry practice that can service your whole family.

Not all dentists are the same. While all go to dentistry school and practice dental medicine, sometimes their care and techniques are different. Additionally, their bedside manner may differ. Some dentists are more comfortable working with adults, while others are more comfortable with children. At a family practice, the dentists are typically comfortable with all age levels and can provide a pleasant experience for all.

Selecting a family dentist does not require a trip to dentistry school and setting up a chair in your own home. If you have been frustrated with your children's responses to your current dentist, going to school yourself may have been appealing. However, there are much easier ways to find an office that your entire family enjoys visiting.

Consider calling and asking for a tour of prospective offices. While dentistry school only prepares a doctor to practice dental medicine, you can gauge the atmosphere of an office on a visit. You may find a practice that is geared towards the whole family. You may discover that the doctor is not particularly friendly. You can find out a lot of information by just visiting the office and having a look around.

Also consider asking your friends where they take their families for dental care. Most parents have opinions about the places they take their children. Solicit their thoughts and reviews on the dentists that they visit, and ask if anyone would highly recommend their current doctor. Word of mouth is often the best advertisement.

Once you have decided on a doctor, take your kids to visit the office a few weeks before their exam. Let them become familiar with the waiting room and if possible, meet the hygienist or doctor. Kids react differently to people when they are familiar and comfortable with them. When the time comes for their exam, try not to act nervous for them. Kids are perceptive and will pick up on your anxiety. Ask the hygienist to walk your child through each step of the exam, as this will help your kids not to be nervous about each part of the exam.

You might find it helpful to offer your kids a reward for good behavior at the office. Positive reinforcement can go a long way in encouraging your kids to react in a positive manner. Keep in mind that a sugary treat would not be the best for freshly cleaned teeth, so try to make the reward something that is not candy or treat related.

As a parent, it is helpful to be proactive and work to eliminate stresses before they become overwhelming. Seeking a new dentist can be a move in the right direction and can certainly help your child in the long run.