What is the Difference Between a General, Cosmetic, and Family Dentist?
The terms General Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, and Family Dentist are often used within the dental industry and are also referenced quite often in marketing and advertising promotions that are seen locally online and around Collingwood. As it can be quite confusing, let’s go through the different niches of Dentistry and how they fit in with the designated Ontario Dental Specialties.
Dental Specialists
The Canadian and Ontario Dental Association have created specific Dental Specialities which relate to the different areas of Dentistry. The Ontario Dental Specialties can be seen below.
- Dental anesthesiologists
- Endodontists
- Oral and maxillofacial radiologists
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
- Oral medicine and pathology
- Orthodontics
- Pediatrics
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
A full list of Ontario Dental Specialists and their descriptions can be found here – Ontario Dental Association Specialties.
General, Family, and Cosmetic Dentistry
Now, you’ll notice that there is no General, Cosmetic, or Family Dentist on the list of designated Dental Specialties above. The reason is because General, Cosmetic, and Family are not recognized Specialties in Ontario, Canada.
Every graduating dentist from Ontario is recognized as a “Doctor of Dental Surgery” or a General Dentist. Some General Dentists decide to continue with their education to become a Specialist in one of the mentioned fields above, while others begin to practice as a General Dentist.
General Dentists
General Dentists are qualified to perform a wide range of dental services, including many of those performed by specialists. However, General Dentists often refer patients to Specialists if the case is too complex.
So, where do Cosmetic Dentists and Family Dentists fit into this web of Dental Professions? Well, Family and Cosmetic Dentistry is not actually a recognized Dental Speciality and, therefore, are simply ‘niches’ of dentistry that are performed by General Dentists or Specialists. Essentially, any dentist can place a specific focus on these areas of dentistry and focus their practice on those specific treatments.
Cosmetic Dentists
Cosmetic Dentists are often General Dentists who focus on providing Cosmetic Treatments to their patients. This same ‘Cosmetic Dentist’ may also offer a variety of other services, such as Dental Cleanings, Fillings, Extractions, etc.
Here is a list of common Cosmetic Dental Procedures:
- Dental Veneers
- Teeth Whitening
- Teeth Bonding
- Dental Crowns & Bridges
- Dental Implants
- Invisalign Clear Aligners
- Lip Fillers
- And More
Family Dentists
Family Dentists are often General Dentists that offer a wide range of dental services for patients of all ages. This wide scope of practice allows patients to have many types of treatment under one roof, including dental care for Children, Teens, Adults, and Seniors.
Here is a list of common Family Dental Services:
- Check Ups and Cleanings
- Fillings, Crowns, and Bridges
- Extractions and Root Canals
- Dental Implants
- Invisalign Clear Aligners
- Dentures
- Sedation Options
- Night Guards and Mouth Guards
- Emergency Dentistry
At Collingwood Family Dental, Dr. Sarah is a General Dentist in Collingwood who offers a wide range of Family Dental services, including Cosmetic Dentistry, Family Dentistry, and Emergency Dentistry. Dr. Sarah is currently welcoming new patients and families to her dental clinic in Collingwood. Collingwood Family Dental offers Direct Insurance Billing, Free Parking, and Evenings Hours and is located at 1 Huron Street, Collingwood – downtown above the Rexall Pharmacy.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment, here are a few options to get started:
- Call us at 705-532-9930
- Email us at [email protected]
- Book Online on our website