Family Dentist Santa Monica, CA
A family dentist serves patients of most ages, addressing their different oral health needs as they grow older. Patients can keep seeing the same family dentist or the same group of family dentists for decades. Family dentist practices function as primary care dentists and treat family members such as parents, children, and grandparents.
Family dentist services are available at Pacific View Smile Center in Santa Monica and the surrounding area. Our professionals perform many treatments in-house, and our office can be a centralized solution for your family's dentistry needs. You may even be able to schedule appointments for multiple family members at the same time or back-to-back. Call our office today at (310) 304-1854 to make an appointment.
The Philosophy of Family Dentistry
Family dentists work with both children and adults to care for these patients as they grow and change. These dentists emphasize patient involvement by providing accessible, continuous, patient-centered, and comprehensive care. The hallmarks of many family dentistry practices include services that benefit patients at all stages of life, such as:
- Accessibility for children, senior citizens, and other age groups
- Appointment availability the same day or in a few days, especially for emergencies or urgent care needs
- Dentists who are easy to talk to
- Dentists who focus on prevention and treatment
- Multiple appointments at the same time or close together
- Multiple dentists representing general dentistry and, sometimes, various specialties
- Possible flexible payment options
“Family dentists work with both children and adults to care for these patients as they grow and change.”
Understanding Family Dentistry
Family dentists make a point of getting to know their patients. They encourage regular checkups and catch emerging issues such as cavities. They provide continuity of care even if patients do not see the same professional on each visit. Information such as medical histories, diagnoses, and treatment plans are less likely to fall through any cracks. Centralized paperwork and familiarity with medical history also help dentists pinpoint and treat various oral health issues.
“Centralized paperwork and familiarity with medical history also help dentists pinpoint and treat various oral health issues.”
Age Groups Treated by Family Dentistry
Parents and caregivers are busy, and family dentists make their lives easier. For example, parents can schedule appointments for their children simultaneously at the same dental office. Similarly, parents can seek out a practice that offers general dentistry in addition to certain services such as orthodontics for a child who needs braces. Since family dentists can treat patients of all ages, some family dental practices take care of most or all of a family's dental needs under one roof for decades.
“Parents and caregivers are busy, and family dentists make their lives easier.”
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Family Dentist in Santa Monica, CA
Needs Treated by Family Dentistry
A family dentist can practice alone, but some partner with other dentists. Whatever the case, a family dentist treats various needs. Patients often turn to their family dental practice for checkups, cleanings, cavity prevention and treatment, tooth decay deterrence, and gum disease prevention. Some practices may even provide orthodontic services, cosmetic dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and other types of specialized dentistry. When necessary, family dentists refer patients to specialized dentists for other types of treatment.
“Patients often turn to their family dental practice for checkups, cleanings, cavity prevention and treatment, tooth decay deterrence, and gum disease prevention.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. Why should I see a family dentist?
Q. What age groups do family dentists treat?
Q. What needs can family dentists treat?
Q. What is the first appointment with a family dentist like?
People Also Ask
Q. How often should someone have a dental checkup?
Q. What makes a kid friendly dentist unique?
Q. Can sealants protect against cavity-forming bacteria?
Q. What is the difference between clear aligners and traditional braces?
Q. Why does the dentist use fluoride mouthwash in the cleaning?
What to Know About the First Appointment With a Family Dentist
A patient's first visit to a family dentist will consist of a thorough physical examination to assess their needs and current dental health. This will involve a dental exam and updated X-rays. X-rays are particularly essential as they can diagnose and evaluate any potential issues that an exam cannot detect. Pacific View Smile Center will also perform a thorough dental cleaning as part of the first visit. Then, once completed, our team will discuss any X-ray results and devise a customized treatment plan to meet each patient's unique needs.
“A patient’s first visit to a family dentist will consist of a thorough physical examination to assess their needs and current dental health.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can a family dentist fit my child with braces?
A. You can find that information on each practice's website or by calling the office. However, a family group without an orthodontist may refer children to the appropriate orthodontic professionals.
Q. Do family dentists see children and adults with disabilities?
A. Many do. However, it is best to check with the office before making an appointment. For example, in a practice with multiple dentists, just one or two may handle patients with certain disabilities.
Q. What is the age range for a family dentist's patients?
A. Family dentists treat most ages, caring for both children and senior citizens. If the practice includes a pediatric dentist, it might accept infant patients. Otherwise, a family dentist tends to see children once they are in kindergarten.
Q. Can a family dentist treat cavities?
A. Most likely, yes. However, if the cavity is severe enough, family dentists may need to refer patients elsewhere for more specialized care. Regular checkups with your family dentist can help prevent cavities.
Q. How often do people visit their family dentist?
A. In general, each patient should visit once or twice a year. Dentists prefer to see children every six months. Meanwhile, adults with teeth in excellent condition might visit only once a year. People who are pregnant, undergoing chemotherapy, or dealing with serious health issues may need to visit their dentist more frequently than twice a year. We can help determine your unique risk profile.
Q. Is a family dentist the same as a general dentist?
A. They are not necessarily the same, although both types of dentists can be primary care providers. A family dental practice offers general dentistry services for most ages. A pedodontist, periodontist, or another specialist can work for a family practice as part of a comprehensive care approach. On the other hand, a general dentistry practice focuses only on the patients' overall oral health needs. It may not always take a family-friendly approach. For example, a general dentist might not have multiple appointments available at the same time or a waiting room that caters to various age groups.
Scan here to view this page, Family Dentist, on mobile
Dental Terminology
Learn More About Family Dentists
Family dentist services save families time and provide high-level continuity of care. Call Pacific View Smile Center at 310-304-1854 to schedule an appointment in Santa Monica and discuss your preferences for a family dental practice.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2023
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2023
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2023
About our business, license, and website security
- Pacific View Smile Center was established in 2000.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Los Angeles County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Santa Monica, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Westwood, Cheviot Hills, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills
- CA (License #37492). View License Information and Specifics
- National Provider Identifier Database (1336281484). View NPI Registry Information
- Healthgrades. View Background Information and Reviews
- Norton Safe Web. View Details
- Trend Micro Site Safety Center. View Details
Scan here to open directions to Pacific View Smile Center on mobile
Back to top of Family Dentist
Related Posts
Tips For Taking Your Kids To A Family Dentist
Taking young children to the family dentist can be overwhelming at times, especially because they are more prone to dental fear and anxiety. However, dental care is essential for children, just as it is for adults, and should start at a very young age. The American Dental Association recommends that children visit the dentist as…
4 Common Procedures Offered By A Kid Friendly Dentist
Preventing dental problems is important to any kid friendly dentist. Daily oral hygiene practices can help keep dental issues at bay. There are common procedures capable of accomplishing this as well. If you want to reinforce your child’s dental health, here are the four common pediatric dental procedures to consider from your kid friendly dentist.Brushing…
A Kid Friendly Dentist Can Help With Protection For Your Child's Teeth
Every parent wants to make sure their children are comfortable in the dentist’s chair at the earliest age, and a kid-friendly dentist is a must-have. The fear of going to the dentist is very real. People of all ages fear the dentist. The dentist’s office has caused anxiety and stress to patients everywhere. Nobody wants to…
Tips From A Preventive Dentist For A Healthier Smile
Looking for information on preventive dentistry? Read on to learn more. A good preventive dentist can save you money on significant tooth problems, pain, and costly treatments in the future. All treatments or procedures that prevent tooth decay, tooth damage, and gum disease fall under preventive dentistry. Fortunately, when preventive dentistry is incorporated into daily…
Explore additional topics covered on our website:
Call Us Today
Scan here to call Pacific View Smile Center on mobile