How to Choose a Family Dentist That Will Keep You Smiling

Seek out a kid-friendly environment

Sitting in a chair surrounded by tiny needles, drills and strange machinery can make any child see the dentist as a horrifying place to be. Parents with small children should consider this fact when choosing a family dentist. A growing number of dental practices specialize in making each visit more fun and comfortable for children. Bright colorful decorations, fun toothpaste and fluoride flavors and small rewards, such as stickers or toys, give kids a reason to want to make the trip to get their teeth cleaned. The right dentist can even encourage healthy at-home dental habits by making it seem fun.

Look for a convenient location

Ideally, we'd be able to make all of our appointments in the middle of open vacation days. However, the reality usually involves trying to squeeze an appointment in before bringing the kids to school or during your lunch break. Keeping this real-life challenge in mind, you should choose a family dentist that is located near your home, your workplace or your children's school to make the trips shorter and the days less stressful. The employees will appreciate your being able to show up on time for appointments. You'll appreciate the convenience and the amount of time you end up saving.

Ensure they are experienced professionals

It is not out of line to ask questions or to do some research to find out where your family dentist got his or her credentials, how long he or she has been in practice and what kind of history he or she has in the field. It is imperative that you know what kind of people will be probing around in your loved ones' mouths.

Additionally, you may want to question what kind of training and certification the office requires of its hygienists. Requirements vary state to state with some having absolutely no guidelines regarding qualifications for dental hygienists to practice. It would do you good to find an office that requires proper training and education of its supporting staff in order to get the best care.

Find a friendly staff

Looking good on paper is important, but one of the most influential factors in making or breaking a pleasant visit to the family dentist is the attitude of dentist and supporting staff. When gauging what a typical visit will be like, you may want to ask yourself a few questions.

Are the dental office employees friendly, personable and caring on the phone? Do they seem patient and eager to work with you and your family's schedules? When you show up to appointments do they greet you warmly and make conversation? Does the dentist make an effort to talk to you and patiently answer any questions?

Some of these things are overlooked by many people but will have significant impact on your overall satisfaction in the long run. Taking time to choose the right family dentist could save you a lot of pain and frustration over time.