Family Dentist in Edmonton
Family Dentistry Services in Edmonton
Are you thinking of starting a family? Do you already have a young family of your own? If you are committed to the oral health of your family, a family dentist may be just what you need.
Do family dentists do family appointments?
Yes! In fact, we offer extended hours and group appointments to lessen the demand on parents. While we may not be available to see each member of the family at the same time, we can see the family for one extended appointment in which everyone is seen. This means less time away from work, school or extracurricular activities, and ensures that everyone keeps up on their preventative maintenance.
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Isn’t a family dentist the same as a general dentist?
Great question! The answer is yes, and no. While all family dentists are also general dentists, not all generalists are family dentists. The difference comes in the defining of their professional focus. While a general dentist is equipped to provide competent medical care to any member of your family (save for patients with circumstances that require a specialist), their focus is not centered around families.
Pediatric dentists care for their patient’s teeth until they are in adulthood, at which point they would be directed to seek out a general dentist. This can be stressful for some patients whose long-term rapport with their previous dentist allowed them to feel more comfortable with procedures. A family dentist will never discharge a client due to their age. Rather, we pride ourselves on our ability to care for most of our customers through adulthood and even into their senior years!
Being that children are a large part of the work of a family dentist, our practice puts a strong focus on making sure that we provide positive experiences for our little patients with big smiles.
We offer appointment flexibility to ensure that kids who feel a little intimidated of the clinical atmosphere to take the pressure off and get to know the place! There will be a friendly face to give your children a tour of the office space. We make sure to explain what each machine is and what it does. Wait – a vacuum for your mouth?! Cool! Parents of children with sensory disorders will find our approach gentle and assuring for their special little ones. We know that the bright lights and strange smells can be challenging, so we work to meet the child where they are at and guide them through the process with gentle direction.
We work with parents of sensory patients to understand their sensory profile and offer suggestions to parents and caregivers about how to make caring for their child’s teeth less challenging, and we can even offer strategies that will make trips to the dentist more comfortable. This can include relaxation techniques, role playing and even brushing the child’s gums to stimulate the nerves prior to coming in to see the dentist. We are there to work together for the best health results for each and every member of the family.
What about anxiety? Some of my family members are not comfortable in dental chairs
We understand that dentistry is both necessary and uncomfortable for some. There are many reasons for it – bright lights, strange sounds, and a feeling of helplessness can trigger discomfort. While we always like to try natural calming methods to help with anxiety, there is no shame in a case of jitters that you just can’t shake. In these cases, we may suggest a mild sedative to assist in alleviating anxiety. We offer oral sedation in the form of a dose of benzodiazepine, or you may prefer a shorter acting anti-anxiety approach which we can also offer – nitrous oxide.
Often called ‘laughing gas’, this gas is mixed with air and delivered to the patient through an oxygen mask placed over the nose and mouth. Nitrous oxide is a favourite of many for its re-dosing capacity (patients can re-dose just by taking several breaths through the mask), and for its short acting properties (the effects dissipate within minutes leaving the patient with no side effects or drowsiness and ready to get back to their day). Whatever your family’s needs, we are here to offer customized support.
If you have questions about these or other services offered by our general dentist, contact our clinic today!
