Family dentists treat patients of every age, ranging from children to seniors (and every awkward and challenging growth stage in between). Family dentists offer preventative treatment, advice, and support throughout every stage of oral development. Services you can receive from a family dentist near you include regular checkups and examinations, annual teeth cleanings, fillings, x-rays, fluoride treatment and sealants, and more. While many family dentists also have particular areas of interest and expertise, they will also refer patients to specialists for particular needs during their lifetime.
In many ways, you can think of a family dentist like your family doctor. Your family dentist in NW Calgary is your family’s constant companion throughout your dental growth, the person who knows your dental history best and who is most informed to do what’s needed to preserve your dental health in the future.
How to choose a family dentist
Do you and your family have a family dentist in NW Calgary? If not, here are five criteria that you should consider when choosing one.
What are the dentist’s credentials?
Don’t ever hesitate to ask a potential family dentist near you to confirm their education, training, and professional experience. You may find some of that biographical information on their website but, if not, feel free to ask where they went to school, what post-graduate training they have achieved, and how long they’ve practiced. You should also ask how many other dentists there are in the practice, and what experience they have. After all, dentists take holidays and the need for dental treatment usually doesn’t.
Does your dentist have the right equipment to meet your priorities?
Dental technology has evolved in leaps and bounds in recent decades, and innovation continues apace. If your potential family dentist’s last investments in equipment were made decades ago, you may not receive the benefit of those innovations. Whatever types of treatments you’re interested in — sedation dentistry, digital x-rays, same day treatment, laser dentistry, etc. — ask a potential family dentist near you about their most recent equipment upgrades and investments.
Financial issues
If you’re going to take advantage of and rely on medical insurance benefits to pay for dental treatment, confirm that your potential dentist in NW Calgary accepts those benefits. Ask what the paperwork will be. Will they bill your benefits provider directly? Or will you need to pay up front and await reimbursement.
Does the dentist prioritize pediatric dentistry?
Children are not adults shrunk down to micro-adult size. Children have unique and specific dental needs and unique and specific capacity to understand their dental treatment and even to overcome anxiety and fear. If you have children or plan to start a family, ask your potential dentist if they’ve received special training in pediatric dentistry. Is their office and dental equipment child-friendly? Are the staff friendly, calm, and comfortable around children — especially children experiencing stress and anxiety in unusual situations?
Location and hours
The best family dentist in NW Calgary that you can’t conveniently get to conveniently may not be the right dentist for you. When choosing a dentist, don’t forget to consider how you’ll get there and home again — especially if you will rely on public transit. Along the same token, ask your potential dentist about their hours. Do they have weekend hours? Early morning and evening hours that you might need depending on your own family and work schedules. Finally, don’t forget that dental emergencies always ignore the clock. In case of an emergency in the wee hours of the morning, will you be able to get an appointment quickly to get you or your child the care you need.
At Royal Vista Dental, we are committed to meeting the needs of every member of the family at every stage of their life. If you’re looking for a family dentist, we invite you to get in touch with us. Ask us questions about each of these issues, and any other questions you have. We hope that we might be a good fit, and look forward to meeting you.