The difference between a family dentist and a general dentist is whether or not they treat children. Family dentists provide dental care services to people of all ages, from young children to grandparents. General dentists usually focus on young adults and adults, although they may also accept high school teens. All dentists have to start by earning a bachelor's degree and then going to dental school. After graduating from dental school, they must pass a licensing exam to obtain the degree of Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS).
Both are types of general dentistry. Approximately 90 percent of dentists stop right there and practice as general dentists. They can treat a wide variety of problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease. General dentists are the primary providers of dental care for people of all ages. On a routine visit to your family's dentist, you'll likely have a thorough exam of your mouth (including your teeth, gums, and other structures), have a professional cleaning, and talk about your dental (and general) health.
If the exam reveals tooth decay, you'll likely also have a filling placed on the affected tooth. However, these procedures, while common, aren't the only services your general dentist provides. When you think about general dentistry, think about the services your primary dental care provider provides. A general dentist not only focuses on your overall oral health, but also on prevention and education. A general dentist would be one that provides preventive care, such as oral exams and professional cleanings, in addition to services such as fillings, crowns, extractions, root canals, and periodontal care. A general dentistry office may also offer patients some cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening and dental veneers.
In addition to those services, a general dentist educates patients of all ages on how to properly care for their teeth and gums. Most dentists in the U. S. UU. There is only one real difference between general and family dentists, and that is that general dentists usually treat specific age groups and do not care for children, while a family dentist treats patients of all ages. Knowing the difference between general dentists and family dentists can help patients determine the best option to be their primary care dentist.
Although both pediatric dentists and general dentists treat dental health conditions, these two types of dentists differ in several ways. Patients who need dental treatment may be confused when they hear about general and primary care dentists, as well as family dentists, and wonder what the difference is.
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