What Is A Family Dentist

Being a family dentist is much more than just being able to provide dental care for kids and adults, it is also an indication of the commitment to mastering the ability to create healthy smiles and provide patients with the best care possible. A family dentist is a title that is given to those who have dedicated their lives to nurturing healthy smiles through every stage of their development, just like our very own Dr. Saini here at Mapleridge Children & Adult Dentistry. To help you understand what makes a family dentist stand above your average dentist, we’ve put together this helpful guide to highlight what truly makes a family dentist.

The Difference Between General & Family Dentistry

General dentists are doctors who are trained to provide treatment for most common dental problems, from your standard teeth cleanings and dental fillings to more complicated procedures such as root canals or creating crowns and bridges. General dentists also may choose to specialize in various areas of dental care by receiving more education and training in that specific field. For example, a general dentist can be a specialist in cosmetic dentistry, meaning they are experts in providing treatments like dental veneers, crowns, and dental implants. General dentists can require multiple specialties and still be considered a “general dentist”.

Family dentists are the same as general dentists in practically every aspect except for one; a family dentist must have a specialization in pediatric dentistry. Pediatric dentistry is the field of dentistry that focuses on the treatment of kids, from infancy to their adolescent and teenage years. This specialty is what allows family dentists to say that they offer dental care for the whole family and patients of all ages. Family dentists commonly hold many other specialties as well, with our own Dr. Saini being a specialist in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, in addition to her pediatric specialty.