What’s a family dentist’s role?

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A family dentist provides basic dental care to patients of all ages. This can include a range of services from emergency dentistry to routine checkups. A dental education, which includes dental school and clinical training, is required to work as a family dentist. As with other medical professions, dentists also need to take a licensing exam and meet continuing education requirements to maintain their licenses.

On a day-to-day basis, the family dentist works with new and established patients to manage their oral health. Routine exams and cleanings are part of the job, as are appointments to address specific concerns, such as emerging dental disease. Patients with chronic dental problems may need more stringent monitoring and maintenance care to ensure their needs are being met. If a problem is outside the scope of practice, the dentist may refer you to another healthcare professional. In the case of a referral, the dentist may provide a consultation with an overview of the patient’s history for the benefit of the new practitioner.

In addition to routine care, family dentists may offer cosmetic dentistry along with treating basic oral health issues such as cavities. Generally, complex oral and maxillofacial surgery is not offered, nor are treatments such as braces, which require the services of an orthodontist. The family dentist may work with other care providers to provide a patient with complete care, such as appointments between visits to an orthodontist or oral health care for patients taking medications that cause dry mouth.

Patients can see a family dentist throughout their lives, from early childhood to old age. The dentist has equipment and training to deal with pediatric patients, who may have special concerns because their mouths are still developing. As patients age, the dentist can monitor ongoing areas of concern and provide preventive care. Because the dentist usually knows the patient well and becomes familiar with the patient’s detailed medical history, it can be easier to detect health problems before they become serious.

Some dental practices may include orthodontists and other specialists alongside a family dentist. This makes it easier for dentists to offer referrals and keep patients with the same practice for as many services as possible. For patients, this can be convenient and can also result in better outcomes as it provides more continuity of care. Sharing charts, patient history and past experiences can be much simpler when doctors work in the same office and are familiar.

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