How to Choose a Family Dentistry Office

Choosing a family dentistry professional that is the best for you and your family takes some time and a bit of homework on your part. If you are willing to do some research, you know that you and your loved ones will have the best dental care.

The location of the family dentistry office may or may not be an issue for you. You may want one that is near home if you are a stay at home mom. You may want one near to your child's school for easy access to get them for their appointments. If you prefer late afternoon appointments, you may want a family dentist close to where you work. Be aware that offices that are in a downtown district or shopping mall may be easy access but they are also more expensive.

More family dentistry offices are going away from the normal 9 to 5 business hours. Many are open later certain nights of the week to accommodate working or busy parents. Some offices are open Saturday mornings to accommodate busy schedules. Be sure to find out if the office you choose offers an emergency contact number in case of an after hour emergency.

The atmosphere of the office should be welcoming and cozy. The staff should be friendly and helpful. The waiting area should be clean and tidy. There should be reading materials readily available. There should be a play area for kids to be entertained while waiting.

Check with the staff which infection control procedures are followed. Most offices follow a general set of guidelines set by OSHA, which stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration as well as the CDC which stands for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ask if the family dentist and the office staff attend continuing education classes and seminars so they are kept up to date with the latest innovations in the dentistry field. They should be required too in order to get and keep their licenses. Some offices attend additional seminars, dental conferences and trade shows so that they can give their patients the best possible dental care possible.

You will want to ask someone from the dental office what the office policies are. Ask if they assess a fee if you miss an appointment. Find out if they take care of the billing paperwork for your insurance or if this is something you are required to do. You want to ask if they offer payment plans or some type of financing. If you do not have dental insurance, you will need to have a payment plan set up for you. You may also need a dental payment plan if you need a procedure done that is not covered by your dental insurance.

Selecting a good dental professional will ensure that you and your family have pearly whites as well as knowing basic dental care to do at home.