Family Dentist Near Me | Family Dental Care

When it comes to choosing the right dentist, families often wonder—should we see a family dentist or a pediatric dentist? While both focus on maintaining healthy smiles, there are some key differences in their training, expertise, and approach to care. Understanding these distinctions can help you make the best decision for your family’s dental health.

What Is a Family Dentist?

A family dentist provides comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages—from young children to grandparents. Their goal is to serve as a one-stop home for your entire family’s dental needs.
Family dentists offer a wide range of services, including:

Routine cleanings and exams
Cavity prevention and fillings
Periodontal (gum) care
Cosmetic treatments like whitening and bonding
Restorative procedures such as crowns, bridges, and dentures

Because family dentists treat every generation, they often develop long-term relationships with their patients and get to know the unique dental history and needs of each family member.

What Is a Pediatric Dentist?

A pediatric dentist is a specialist who focuses exclusively on children—from infancy through the teenage years. After dental school, pediatric dentists complete additional training in child psychology, growth, and development. This helps them manage behaviors, ease dental anxiety, and address issues specific to growing mouths.
Pediatric dental offices are often designed with a kid-friendly atmosphere and focus on:

Monitoring tooth and jaw development
Preventing and treating early childhood cavities
Providing guidance on habits like thumb-sucking or pacifier use
Making dental visits fun and positive experiences for children

Which Is Right for Your Family?

Both family and pediatric dentists can provide excellent care—it really depends on your family’s needs.

You may prefer a family dentist if:

You want one dental office for the whole family.
You value continuity of care through every life stage.
You want convenience and consistency in scheduling and treatment plans.

You might consider a pediatric dentist if:

Your child has special behavioral or developmental needs.
You want specialized expertise in childhood growth and oral habits.
Your child feels anxious at the dentist and may benefit from a kid-focused environment.

What to Look for in Dental Care for the Whole Family

When choosing a dental home for your family, consider these important factors:

Experience and Credentials – Look for dentists who have a strong reputation and experience with patients across all age groups.
Comprehensive Services – It’s helpful to find an office that offers preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry under one roof.
Technology and Comfort – Modern digital tools like intraoral scanners and AI-enhanced imaging can make visits faster, more accurate, and more comfortable.
Friendly Team and Atmosphere – A welcoming environment can make dental visits enjoyable, especially for children.
Convenient Hours and Locations – Busy families benefit from flexible scheduling and easy-to-reach offices.

The Bottom Line

Both family and pediatric dentists play vital roles in keeping smiles healthy. If you’re looking for convenience, long-term relationships, and care for every generation, a family dentist is often the ideal choice. However, for very young children or those with specific developmental needs, a pediatric dentist can offer valuable specialized care.

At LADD Dental Group, we take pride in providing personalized, compassionate care for patients of all ages—making dental visits simple and stress-free for your entire family.

Sedation Dentistry | Adult Sedation Dentistry | Sedation Dentistry in McCordsville

Sedation Dentistry in McCordsville, Indiana Nearly half of all North Americans don’t go to the dentist every year. The number one reason, according to the American Dental Association, is fear. But fear isn’t the only reason. People have busy lives and little time for repeated visits to the dentist. Some don't see the importance of keeping their teeth. And there are a host of other reasons as well. Whatever your reason, or the reasons for someone close to you, know this – you are not alone! Sedation Dentistry is here to help you, as it has so many other patients, safely and effectively get the care you need in a safe and comfortable environment for the best dental experience you’ve ever had. This isn’t a One Size Fits All Each patient is unique. That means that whatever medications you may be taking, dental treatments needed, or the years away from the dentist – there is a safe and effective way to get the smi...

Dental Work | Importance of Routine Dental Care | Preventative Dental Care

Importance of Routine Dental Care When I was in my 30s and a dentist told me I needed a few crowns , I decided to skip the expensive devices because of my meager paycheck. Besides, my teeth weren't hurting. Years later, I am paying the price in pain and costlier dental work . One of the damaged teeth that needed a crown distorted my bite, making a minor jaw-joint problem even worse. Unfortunately I'm far from alone. The price of dental care is steep for many people financially, physically and even socially, according to Marko Vujicic, chief economist and vice president of the Health Policy Institute at the American Dental Association. Vujicic said that the majority of emergency room dental visits were for infections that could be handled in a dentist's office. Overall, emergency room dental visits cost $1.9 billion yearly, 40 percent of which is public money, according to his institute's analysis of data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quali...

Welcome Dr. Anastasia Golodaeva | LADD Dental Group of McCordsville

At LADD Dental Group of McCordsville , we are thrilled to introduce Dr. Anastasia Golodaeva , a skilled and compassionate dentist who brings a unique perspective to patient care. Dr. Golodaeva's journey in dentistry began long before earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 2024. Her extensive background as an outstanding dental assistant gives her a well-rounded understanding of oral health, allowing her to provide exceptional care tailored to each patient’s needs. A Strong Foundation in Dental Assisting Before pursuing dental school, Dr. Golodaeva dedicated years to the field as a highly skilled dental assistant. Her experience in chairside assisting, patient care, and clinical procedures laid a solid foundation for her transition into dentistry . She developed a keen eye for diagnosing oral conditions, building trusting relationships with patients, and promoting lifelong healthy habits—all of which continue to be the c...

Ladd Dental Group

Search This Blog