Hi guys, my name is Dr. De La Paz. I work at Olean Dental Studio. I own this practice with my husband, and today we're going to be talking about common questions that I get from patients about family dentistry.
What is family dentistry?
Family dentistry allows you to take your entire family to the office, and in that office, you'll have access to all the services, whether for kids or adults. It makes it easy for families to go together to their appointments and receive all the services in the same place.
What are the benefits?
This can be answered differently by various people, but my answer would be this: family dental care is more about preventative services—x-rays, exams, fillings, crowns, extractions—things that are routine, not specialized treatments. These services tend to be offered in family dentistry.
What if I have a family member that doesn't want to go?
Sometimes when speaking with patients, they mention having a family member who doesn't want to go to the dentist. This is very common. Many people don't like going to the dentist, possibly due to fear or a bad experience in the past. One strategy we use is to call the patients ourselves and gather more information about why they are reluctant to come. We explain how the office operates and what the visit will entail, ensuring they feel comfortable and welcome. It's also important for you to talk to your family member, express your care for them, and explain that avoiding the dentist could lead to bigger issues and infections, which can be life-threatening.
In our office, we take steps to ensure comfort. You might suggest, "Hey, I have an appointment coming up. Let's go together. You have your appointment, I have mine, and we can schedule them on the same day, at the same time." This way, they feel reassured by being accompanied by someone they trust. Generally, the first visit is very easy. It involves meeting the staff, meeting the doctors, an oral examination, discussing concerns, and devising a plan to restore oral health. A tour of the office can also be arranged for patients who need it before the first visit, to ensure comfort. We are happy to provide this information over the phone, so just let us know, and we will be more than happy to call them.
Lastly, we want you to feel like you're part of our practice, like a family. All of us here—over 20 of us—work together to create a family-oriented environment. It's crucial that you feel like this is also your family. As we care for you as if you were a family member, we also want to care for those you love, your friends, and your family. Let us take care of them, and we will ensure their experience is the best possible.
We talked today about family dentistry and addressed some common questions. If you have any other questions or want us to reach out to any of your family members, don't hesitate to call us or let us know. Our phone number is (941) 269-1332. Thank you.