When it comes to your healthcare, it’s not uncommon for you and your children to have different doctors. This usually depends on your family’s specific needs. However, there are some doctors and medical practitioners that your family will benefit from sharing.
It’s with this in mind that many Australians are opting for family focus dental care. Essentially, this means having the same dentist for the whole family. There are several very good reasons why this concept works well.
Table of Contents
One Dentist for the Whole Family
Family dentistry as this concept is also called may be common practice for many people. However, if you’re not convinced that it can work for your family, keep reading as we’ve compiled the top reasons why it should be the only option worth considering.
1. It’s Convenient
The number one reason that family-focused dental care works well is that it’s convenient. Scheduling dental visits for you and your spouse and then for your children can be a nightmare if you aren’t all seeing the same doctor. Appointments need to be made to coincide with time off work and school, and if you’re in a job where time off is hard to come by, it can be easy to neglect these appointments until there’s a crisis.
Having a family dentist can make the scheduling process so much more convenient. Routine checkups can easily be scheduled for all the kids on the same day, saving time on the frustration and time off. Simplify the process even further by finding a local dentist as this cuts down on travel time and is more convenient in case of an emergency.
2. Reduces the Likelihood of Anxiety and Fear
You may be surprised to learn that the fear of visiting the dentist is a very real thing and that it’s not just something that happens in your household. In fact, it’s estimated that an average of 75% of adults have a deep-seated fear or phobia of visiting the dentist.
This phobia, commonly called dentophobia, usually stems from negative childhood experiences at the dentist. In some cases, this can be due to only being introduced to a dentist in an emergency, or not going often enough as a child. Avoid this by introducing your children to the dentist at a very young age and explaining the process. Encourage questions and let your children see you visiting the dentist without fear.
3. Easier to Deal With Hereditary Issues
It’s no secret that many medical conditions run in families. Dental issues are no different. That said, it may be easier for your dentist to treat and even prevent dental issues in younger children that they have seen developing in you or your older children. This can make dealing with anything from excessive cavities to bite problems so much simpler for everyone to deal with.
4. Additional Support with Early Dental Care
Toddlers go through phases where they move from believing and doing everything you say to being stubborn and not taking you seriously. Sometimes these little roller coasters can make it difficult to convey the essential dental care habits early on.
Your family dentist will always strive to assist and support you with this. They can help guide correct brushing and flossing for various ages. Some dentists have a knack with kids and can make the learning process more fun than you might think.
5. Can Provide Coordinated Care
Sometimes more complex dental care is required, and you or your children may need to see a specialist. In this case, your family dentist can easily make the best recommendation based on your location and medical needs. Periodontists and endodontists are two common examples of additional dental care professionals your family may need. Going to a doctor that is recommended by your current dentist will give you peace of mind that your kids are in good hands.
6. Emergency Care Made Simple
No matter how many times you tell your children to stay out of trees and other dangerous places, there’s always going to be that one time when they fall and hurt themselves. In many cases, this happens to be on their faces, and they may require emergency dental care.
Having a local family dentist means that you instantly have someone to call in these types of emergencies, no matter what time they occur. There’s no need to phone around and look for an available doctor and you’ll have the reassurance that your child knows the person they’re seeing. They’re more likely to feel at ease if they’re familiar with the doctor.
Final Thoughts
With children, it’s almost a given that you’re going to struggle to convince them that visiting the dentist is for their own good. However, opting for a family dentist will make this process much easier.
When your children see you visiting the dentist, following the dentist’s instructions and taking care of your own teeth, they are more likely to follow your example. The added convenience of being able to schedule all your checkups in one day will allow you to use the rest of your free time more effectively!
