Family Dentist Forest Hills, NY
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.
Family dentist services are available at Perfect Smile Design P.C., Richard H. Lestz, DDS in Forest Hills 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 (718) 841-9607 to make an appointment.
The Philosophy of Family Dentistry
Family dentists work with a range of patients as their dental needs evolve. 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 teens, 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
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.”
“Parents and caregivers are busy, and family dentists make their lives easier.”
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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 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 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. Perfect Smile Design P.C., Richard H. Lestz, DDS 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 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. 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.
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Dental Terminology
Learn More About Family Dentists
Family dentist services save families time and provide high-level continuity of care. Call Perfect Smile Design P.C., Richard H. Lestz, DDS at 718-841-9607 to schedule an appointment in Forest Hills and discuss your preferences for a family dental practice.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Home Page. 2024
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2024
About our business, license, and website security
- Perfect Smile Design P.C., Richard H. Lestz, DDS was established in 1980.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Queens County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, Long Island , New York, Flushing, Fresh Meadows, Forest Hills, Corona, Jackson Heights, Glendale, Astoria , Rego Park, Maspeth, Elmhurst, Woodhaven, and Long Island City
- NY (License #33630). View License Information and Specifics
- National Provider Identifier Database (1306966072). View NPI Registry Information
- Healthgrades. View Background Information and Reviews
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