10 Most Important Qualities to Look For When Choosing a Family Dentist

Are you looking for a family dentistry practice that will serve your family well for years to come?

Choosing a dentist who fits the needs of your entire family might seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Many dentists graduate from school equipped to serve multiple generations, guaranteeing you get a smile you love.

But what family dentistry qualities should you look for when selecting a family dentist of your own? We'll go into our top 10 tips below!

Keep reading to learn more and choose a family dentist today!

You want the people working on your teeth to have the proper training to assess your condition and give accurate diagnoses. So, what should you look for in terms of dentist credentials?

First, you should make sure they have either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree. This gives them the training to work on people's teeth. Second, you need to ensure they specialize in the right aspect of dental medicine. Some dentists, for instance, might specialize in dental surgery, not family dentistry.

If you have any questions about a dentist's credentials or specifications, call their office.

Just like not every dentist has the same specialty, not everyone will offer the exact same services.

Many family dentists do cleanings and other routine procedures, such as cavity fillings, crowns, and tooth extractions. Yet, if you think you need more specified work done, you should check to see if the dentist does the service you require.

You can often find a list of a dentist's services on their website. If the website doesn't list the services provided, call or email the main office.

Do you want to save money on your visit to the dentist? If so, you should consider whether they take your dental insurance.

People often get dental insurance as part of their benefits package at work. Not every healthcare package comes with dental insurance, though. As such, you need to look at your own benefits bundle to see if you have insurance through your employer.

If you don't have dental insurance, you can purchase it yourself through the U.S. Marketplace or via a provider.

Once you have insurance, check to see which insurance plans each potential dentist accepts. Choosing an in-network dentist will save you hundreds--maybe thousands--of dollars on dental work.

Now that you have a list of potential dentists, you need to figure out whether they do their jobs well. How do you discover this without going for a visit?

Read reviews. Many dentists have their practices registered on platforms such as Google My Business and Yelp. This allows patients to write about their experiences. They might also feature testimonials on their website.

To find reviews on third-party sites, run the dentist's name through a search engine and see what comes up. If the reviews are mostly positive, the dentist likely does great work. Should most of the reviews be negative, you might want to find a new dentist.

Do you like the culture of the office?

When you go to the dentist, you want to feel comfortable. The office staff should maintain friendly and professional demeanors. The culture should make you confident in how they run the business.

Once you choose a family dentist, you'll interact with the dentist's staff on a regular basis. As such, you should pay attention to how you're treated every time you call, visit, or otherwise come into contact with the employees.

If most staff members treat you well and address your questions well, you should consider making this practice your family dentist. If you get treated poorly, though, look for another dental practice.

About 36% of the U.S. population experiences some form of dental fear, with 12% having extreme anxiety about going to the dentist. For many, it serves as a barrier to getting the treatment they need.

One way to set any uneasy family members at ease is to find a friendly, compassionate, and informative dentist. You might take your family in for a routine cleaning or consultation and see how the dentist interacts with everybody. Do they establish a good rapport with everybody and give age-appropriate information on what's happening?

Do your children feel relaxed around them?

Once you find someone who meets these criteria, you can start making more appointments!

Your health and safety should be important to your dentist. Because your dentist spends a lot of time with their hands in your mouth, you need to be certain the atmosphere doesn't impose an undue risk of spreading disease.

Like a physician's office, dentists should keep their spaces sanitized. They should wear a mask and gloves whenever working in your mouth and only use clean tools.

If you feel the office lacks hygienic cleanliness, look for another dentist.

Many dentists try to get people in and out of their chairs as fast as possible so that they can maximize their profits. Still, this doesn't serve as the best approach. Sometimes, people miss out on receiving critical care because the dentist was too rushed to listen to their symptoms.

When you go to your new dentist, pay attention to how well they listen to you. Do they take the time to understand you, or do they seem to rush you out of the door?

When it comes to your dental health, you should find a dentist who wants to get the details right. A good dentist puts their all into perfecting your smile and will go the extra mile to get the job done.

So, if you walk away feeling like your dentist noticed even the small things, you've probably found someone worth going to.

Family dentistry often comes with a level of convenience since your whole family can go to one dentist.

Still, this means this dentist will become responsible for the oral health of every family member. As such, you should take the search for a new dentist seriously and do your research before you make appointments.