Dental Arts of New Orleans is a top family dentist in New Orleans. Our professionals understand the confusion, so we’ve put together this guide to break down the differences between family and general dentistry.
Are you looking for a new dentist? You might notice dental practices offering family dentistry or general dentistry services during your search. If so, do you know how to tell the difference between general and family dentistry?
Family Dentistry vs. General Dentistry
Not all dentists offer the same range of services, which sometimes makes the search for a new dental office challenging. Unless you need a specialty treatment like orthodontic care or restorative treatments for a severe dental or oral issue, you’ll likely see a general or family dentist for your routine dental care.
Family and general dentists share many similarities. They both undergo extensive training and education, typically including at least three years of undergraduate education and an additional four years of dental school. These dental professionals also offer comprehensive dental services like:
- Dental cleanings
- Tooth extractions
- Periodontal treatments
- Preventive care
- Restorative dentistry services like root canals and fillings for cavities
So if general and family dentistry are similar, what makes one better than the other for certain people?
The Age Range for Patients Isn’t the Same
Family dentists are general dentists, yet general dentists aren’t always ideal for families. The main difference between both groups is the age of their patients. Family dentistry includes comprehensive dental care for all ages, making it suitable for the following demographics:
- Toddlers
- Young children
- Teens
- Young adults
- Adults
- Seniors
This choice is ideal for yourself and your loved ones because you can eliminate the need for multiple dentists at various locations.
General dentists may accept young patients but usually treat people within a specific age range. For example, a general dentist may provide services for a 14-year-old but not a seven-year-old. Though you can surely get high-quality services from a general dentistry practitioner, you might also require pediatric dentistry services if you need specialized help taking care of your children’s teeth.
Family Dentists Have Family-Friendly Environments
Another difference between general and family dentistry is how these dentists set up their offices. While both options may design or run their offices in a way that highlights their professionalism, comfort, and relaxing ambiance, family dentists often make their practices family-friendly.
Examples of family-friendly approaches to dental care include having toys or youthful decor in the office for young patients. Family dentists may also use the word “family” on their website and marketing materials.
Oral Health Education and Long-Term Care Are Priorities in Family Dentistry
Though practitioners of both general and family dentistry strive to provide the best dental care for their patients, family dentists tend to take a more proactive approach to their patients’ long-term dental and oral health.
Sometimes family dentists care for multiple generations of the same family from childhood to adulthood. As such, they become knowledgeable about each patient’s dental history, dental hygiene habits, and needs involving their oral care. They’ll provide in-depth information about properly caring for their teeth and gums according to their specific situation.
This information helps these dental professionals create long-term treatment plans to ensure their patients maintain healthy, beautiful smiles. They’ll also monitor the treatments’ long-term effects and make adjustments as necessary.
Call New Orleans’ Leading Dental Practitioners Today
At Dental Arts of New Orleans, our board-certified practitioners specialize in general and family dentistry as well as cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics. From dental crown procedures to routine check-ups, we do it all as a full-service dental office in New Orleans that caters to families and patients of all ages.We proudly maintain a calm environment where patients can get essential dental care without feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Enjoy peace of mind knowing that you’ll get personalized treatments and friendly service from us — call (504) 394-5330 today to schedule an appointment.
