What could be more important that your family’s oral health? At Papageorgiou Dental Associates, we want to help you choose a family dentist in Natick who will serve your needs best. Here are some suggestions for how to find a dentist just right for you and your family.
What is Family Dentistry?
A quality family dentist, such as Dr. Christina Papageorgiou or Dr. Medha Singh, cares for all aspects of your oral health and emphasizes preventive services such as cleanings, X-rays and exams. He or she also provides restorations such as fillings and crowns, root canal therapy and modern tooth replacement options. The family dentist looks after everyone from toddlers to seniors, maintaining their teeth and gums through each phase of life.
Also, family dentists deliver preventive services such as fluoride treatments, plastic sealants and mouthguards for sports, bite guards for TMD and snore guards for sleep apnea. When pressing concerns arise, such as a toothache or knocked out tooth, the family dentist addresses those needs rapidly and compassionately.
In addition, the family dentist delivers a wide array of cosmetic treatments. He or she also offers state of the art orthodontics. The dentist formulates individualized care plans which incorporate the patient’s aesthetic goals for brighter, straighter and more confident smiles.
Do a Little Homework
Please don’t pick a new dentist quickly, but learn all you can about who practices in your area. Look at dental websites for information on undergraduate and graduate degrees, professional memberships, services, the dentist’s undergraduate and graduate schools and continuing education credentials (Dr. Papageorgiou and Dr. Singh have both been honored by the Pierre Fauchard Academy).
Consult online rating sites such as Healthgrades.com or Angie’s List to see what real patients say about their dental experiences. In addition, get a referral from a coworker, neighbor or relative. Ask how they feel about their dental care, particularly if they have used services your family needs. For example, is your neighbor happy with the orthodontic care her teenaged son receives?
Visit the Office
It’s important to be comfortable with how the dental office operates. Your family deserves a dentist with an empathetic attitude, who is available to answer concerns, and is open about how he or she arrives at diagnoses and executes treatments.
Ask to tour the office and even interview your prospective family dentist. Is the office convenient to your home or workplace or to your child’s school? Is the atmosphere welcoming? If you have young children, when does the dentist start seeing them? Are there sedation dentistry options for the nervous patient?
Many offices offer comfort amenities to soothe the dental experience. Are their TVs, music or warm blankets available?
Additionally, what are the payment or financing options? Many dentists have in-house discount programs and financing plans, such as CareCredit. What dental insurances are accepted, and does the staff file claims for you?
Explore the Dental Services
What else does the dentist offer besides basic preventive care? Look for:
- Gum disease therapy (Dr. Papageorgiou and Dr. Singh offer root planing and scaling and laser gum therapy)
- TMD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) therapy
- Sleep apnea therapy (snore guards)
- Crowns and bridgework
- Dentures
- Dental implants (Papageorgiou Dental Associates completes all phases of the implant procedure)
- Composite resin fillings and bonding
- Porcelain veneers
- Teeth whitening (Kor Whitening and Nite White and Day White are choices at Papageorgiou Dental Associates)
- Traditional orthodontics or clear aligners, such as Invisalign
- Emergency dentistry
- Root canal therapy
- Tooth extractions, including wisdom teeth
Is There a Family Dentist Near Me?
We invite you to consider Papageorgiou Dental Associates. We think you’ll find us a great fit. Contact the office today to arrange a tour and to speak to our friendly staff. And, ask about our special offers.