Dentist phobia is a reality that can stand in the way of regular dental checkups. It might have been the case in the past when dental procedures were uncomfortable and painful. Today, technology has advanced so much that most dental procedures are convenient and almost painless.
Avoiding dental checkups is a common mistake I see in many people, who ultimately end up with cavities, gum diseases, and other complications. This is where maintaining a long-term patient-dentist relationship can help tremendously.
A good patient-doctor relationship is built on the foundation of trust, openness, knowledge, and understanding. It is a professional and friendly relationship. A strong bond between the patient and doctor is an effective solution for the dental phobia that the patient might have.
In addition to helping with dental phobia, a long-term relationship with your dentist is good for your overall health. Your health isn’t solved with one visit, it’s always changing and evolving. At Cambridge Dental Studio, we adapt, change, and grow with you.
Be it overcoming your dental anxieties, answering any dental query, or finding the right dental treatment plan for you, our dentists at Cambridge Dental Studio are always there to help and support you.
Why Choose a Family Dentist?
Maintaining a long-term relationship with a primary care dentist has many benefits. Let’s look at some of them.
1. Better communication
When you have a regular family dentist, the chances are that there is also better communication between the doctor and you, the patient. You will be more honest with your family dentist and the team. Any anxieties about a dental procedure are better addressed by the dentist.
At Cambridge Dental Studio, our dentists go out of their way to make our patients feel comfortable and trust us with their dental care. Our dentists take the time to listen and fully understand our patient’s dental concerns and challenges and provide them the best treatment plan.
We’ve also noticed that long-term patient-dentist relationships lead to more regularity in dental checkups, follow-ups of dental treatments, better dental care, healthier teeth, and gums.
2. Better patient education and experience
A dentist who has seen you over the years would know your teeth over various life stages and medical history the best. He/ she would be the right person to educate you about your dental problems and chart out a customized dental care plan for you. The treatment plan can include screenings, cleaning, and other dental procedures depending on the individual case.
We’ve noticed at Cambridge Dental Studio that the more our patients know, the more confident and reassured they are to take better care of their teeth and gums. Be it explaining the importance of a mouth guard to the teenager in the family, or explaining night grinding symptoms to an older family member!
Long-term patient-dentist relationships lead to better patient education, experience, and outcome.
3. Better preventive care
A dental care plan provided by your family dentist helps address any early signs of dental trouble and results in better preventive dental care. Routine dental checkups can also catch early symptoms of other health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, sleep disorders, heart disease, or HIV/AIDS.
Our dentists at Cambridge Dental Studio make all efforts to save your natural teeth. We spot the early signs of gum disease, cavities, or fracture during routine visits and recommend treatments such as a crown, root canal, extractions, aligners, and more depending on the dental problem.
Preventive dental care which includes regular dental visits, cleanings, and exams helps prevent minor dental issues from turning into more serious dental conditions, which saves you a lot of time, effort, and money.
4. A more convenient option for your family
An advantage of having a family dentist is the convenience factor. It saves a lot of time and effort, as you can take your entire family for a checkup at one-go. There is no need for a separate pediatric dentist for the younger children in your family. There is also a greater familiarity and a sense of ease and relief for children and adults in the family who might have anxiety over a dental procedure. The dentist is also familiar with the dental history of the family and can get a better grasp on the hereditary dental issues within the family.
5. Safer Community
Family dentists aid in safer communities and the nation. Everyone in the community can visit the family dentist irrespective of age. Family dentists are a crucial part of the overall health and wellness of families and the community.
Final Thoughts
A lot more time and thought should go in before zeroing in on the right dentist for you and your family. Don’t wait for an emergency dental issue to crop up, to look into your list of insurance company’s approved dental providers to randomly pick a dentist. Research the options you have for family dentists, and choose the right one for your family based on patient testimonials, reviews, dentist qualifications and experience, facility infrastructure, and other parameters. Book a few appointments to see how well the dentist and team respond to your dental queries and conditions before finalizing a family dentist to build a long-term relationship with.
Our Palo Alto dentists at Cambridge Dental Studio are keen to be your family dentist because we value providing excellent and affordable dental care to all our patients.
You can check our website for more information, educational blogs on dental health, and book appointments for your family at your convenience. You are always welcome to call us for further queries.
You can also find us on social media to stay updated on the latest clinic updates and patient reviews. You can subscribe to our email newsletters for exclusive updates and reminders on your upcoming dental appointments.
You can count on Cambridge Dental Studio as an excellent, long-term oral health partner for you and your family.
Call us at (650) 382-3068 or book your appointment online.
Disclaimer: We routinely draw upon public health resources to inform our write-ups. Information in this article may be drawn up from multiple public health sources, including:
American Dental Association’s MouthHealthy.org
California Dental Association
American Dental Association’s Action for Dental Health
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention