Don't Be "Dental Homeless!"

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a dental home “means that your child’s oral healthcare is delivered in a comprehensive, continually accessible, coordinated, and family-centered way by a licensed dentist.” Adults need dental homes, too.

It is the physical place where patients can receive examinations, evaluations, preventive care and treatment. After all needed therapy is delivered, the mouth needs to be periodically maintained by the providers at your dental home. And they will strive to keep you educated, protected, and motivated. They are your cheerleaders for a better smile! Usually, all needed work is done at the dental home. But if specialized care is needed, and can’t be provided there, then a referral to a specialist at another site is performed.  After that treatment, the patient usually returns to their dental home for regular care.

It’s possible to belong to the same dental home for years, even decades! I sometimes hear that two or three generations of some families stay loyal to the same dentist or dental home because that is where they feel the best. They have trusting, friendly, and engaging relationships with their team members, and are very resistant to change. However, sometimes preferences change, or insurance coverage may be modified, or a person or family may have to move to another area, state, or country. In those cases, a new dental home with different doctors will need to be established.

Dental records can be sent to the new dental home, and if lengthy treatment is interrupted by a need to move out of the area, the new dental home can resume and complete the treatment. In some cases involving orthodontic treatment, a release form may need to be obtained from the starting doctor, so that the subsequent doctor can finish the therapy.

There are thousands of qualified dental professionals out there, and each of them would like to welcome you to become part of their dental homes for a lifetime of good oral health!

May you have many… home-sweet-home, rest my head…smiles!