Choosing the right Family dentist near me is an important decision. You will want someone who is experienced in treating a variety of dental needs and conditions, from children’s baby teeth to seniors’ dentures.

You will also want to find a dentist who accepts your dental insurance and can work around your schedule. A good place to start is by asking friends and family for recommendations.

Continuity of Care

Continuity of care is an important aspect of high-quality healthcare, yet its definition and measurement are challenging. It focuses on the patient experience and perception that health care providers know their history, are familiar with their needs, and will address them when they see another provider. It also relates to the perception that health care providers communicate with each other, which is essential to ensuring that patients receive consistent management across different settings.

Continual care is important to patient satisfaction and safety. However, many patients are seen by a variety of practitioners in a range of organisations and places, raising concerns about fragmentation of their care. This is why continuity of care is a focus of policy reports and healthcare charters worldwide.

Continuity of care can be provided through various strategies, including establishing long-term therapeutic relationships and providing clear communication between practitioners. Patients may also be involved in micro-teams and named key workers, which can provide new forms of relational and management continuity.

Variety of Services

Unlike specialty dentists, who tend to focus on one area of dentistry, family dental practices often offer a full spectrum of services. This includes general oral examinations, cleanings, and preventive care as well as specialized procedures like dentures and root canals.

In addition, family dentists are trained to treat patients of all ages. This means that parents can bring their children, teens, and even seniors to the same practice without worrying about scheduling appointments at different times or visiting a separate specialist for each age group.

Family dentists also have a comprehensive understanding of each patient’s oral health history. This allows them to identify trends, catch problems early, and provide tailored treatment that addresses each patient’s specific needs. It also makes it easier for dentists to recognize hereditary conditions, such as gum disease, and take precautionary measures to prevent them from developing. This can help patients avoid expensive, time-consuming, and painful treatments down the road.

Long-Term Relationships

Many family dental practices have been around for decades, meaning they’ve seen families grow and change over the years. In addition to the familiarity with patients’ dental histories, this also means that a dentist can quickly identify trends or hereditary conditions such as gum disease and take steps to prevent them from progressing.

Families can save time and effort by visiting the same dentist for their regular appointments. It’s also an ideal way to help children build trust in their oral health care and learn to develop positive habits that will last a lifetime.

Use this tool to search for a dentist near you that accepts your dental plan. You can filter by additional factors, such as whether the dentist offers wheelchair access or speaks your language. Visit the Find a Dentist page to get started.

Convenience

Choosing a family dentist offers the convenience of comprehensive dental care for all your family members in one place. From your toddler’s first check-up to the emergency dental care you need for a cracked tooth or worn dentures, a family dentist can provide the services you need under one roof, providing continuity of care that is essential to maintaining optimal oral health.

Moreover, because your family dentist becomes familiar with your dental history, he can track your dental progress over time and spot issues early on that may otherwise be overlooked. This can save you money and time in the long run.

Find a family dentist in your area with our easy-to-use online search tool. Use our filters to narrow your results based on important criteria such as dental insurance or whether the practice supports patients who speak another language. Once you have your list of potential candidates, contact them to schedule a consultation. Dr. Shalman’s boutique dentistry practice is ready to address all your dental needs and concerns.