Family Dentistry Vs General Dentistry
Given the kind of work they are involved in, it’s not very surprising when a family dentist is confused with a general dentist. In general terms, not much separates the two. But when you dig into the details you can find some very distinct differences between them.
As such, the team at Dr. Sekhon Family Dentistry would like you to know about the differences between family dentistry and general dentistry.
What Is Family Dentistry?
Family dentistry refers to the branch of dentistry that deals with the prevention of oral health issues and maintenance of oral health for a wide range of ages. Family dentists are capable of providing dental care for all kinds of people, from children to the elderly.
The ability to provide services that relate to pediatric dentistry, geriatric dentistry and almost everything in between makes this branch convenient for families.
What Is General Dentistry?
In a similar fashion to family dentistry, general dentistry focuses on maintaining good oral health and avoiding any kind of dental health issues. However, general dentists tend to focus on a particular age group. For example, pediatric dentists have child patients for the most part and geriatric dentists mostly handle aged patients.
These specialities allow for an increased skillset in the chosen fields but reduced experience outside of it.
Family Dentist vs General Dentist – Differences.
“Family dentist” and “general dentist” are terms with a lot of overlap that have been used interchangeably for a significant amount of time. However, there are some significant differences between the two.
Patient Age
The major difference between a family dentist and a general dentist is the range of ages each one handles.
A general dentist is more focused on a particular range of ages. They might focus specifically on dentistry for children and the youth (pediatric dentistry) or on older people (geriatric dentistry).
A family dentist has to handle the wide range of ages that can be found in a family. They might have to handle oral issues of children, adults and the aged in rapid succession. As such, they require a broad base of knowledge and experience.
Dental Procedures
Given how the ages of their patients can vary, it stands to reason that the dental procedures offered by family dentists and general dentists would vary as well.
General dentists tend to offer specialised services, geared towards the age group they treat. As such, a general dentist who offers dentures for the elderly is unlikely to offer braces for children and teenagers.
Family dentists, on the other hand, offer a wide range of dental services that can accommodate the dental needs of a family. This way if a parent and a child both need a dentist’s intervention, they can use one appointment to handle both issues.
Dr. Sekhon Family Dentistry – Your Neighbourhood Family Dentist
Family dentists and general dentists may be confused for each other but their differences mark out their different niches in dentistry. Choosing between the two might create some puzzling moments but knowing which type of dentistry services you need will help you make the best decision.
Please contact us if you and your family need dental care. Dr. Sekhon Family Dentistry offers comprehensive dental care packages, including cosmetic procedures, dental implants and dental emergency services. We aim to be proactive and prevent oral health issues before they arise.