We’re the secret behind a healthy smile. The ones protecting your family from cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease.

The last line of defense against tooth decay and other major dental problems. And most people only visit us a couple times a year.

Your family dentist plays a very important role that can very easily be overlooked. While you might assume every dentist is the same, the truth is, we are not.

At WhiteWing Dental, our McAllen dentists offer a variety of services that other offices can’t, including general dentistry services, pediatric dentistry services, cosmetic dentistry services, smile alignment services, and even sedation dentistry for special-needs patients.

With so many dentists to choose from, it can be a little challenging to find the one that meets all your family’s needs. That’s why our team at WhiteWing Dental would like to offer you some advice on how to choose the best dentist for your family – even if it isn’t us.

(We’re confident it will be though.)

What to consider when looking for the right family dentist in McAllen.

You deserve to have a positive experience whenever you and your family take a trip to the dentist. If you really want to choose the best office for your family’s dental needs, then consider the following:

1. Can the dentist meet your needs?

This sounds simple enough but consider that a general dentist may not always be able to meet your children’s needs. Children, teens, and adults all need different levels of care: from baby losing their first tooth to cavities, fluoride treatments, and gum disease care, you need a team that can be with you every step of the way.

A family dentist is qualified to handle care for family members of all ages – something our McAllen dentists are capable of doing here at WhiteWing Dental.

2. Ask about personnel training and experience with specific procedures.

Any professional that’s truly dedicated to their career is going to seek out additional learning experiences and training. These trainings provide dentists with new skills and familiarity with new technology.

For instance, our very own Dr. Gray completed the Dental Implant Continuum program at Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry just a few months ago.

If the dentist is unable to perform a certain procedure, they should be willing and able to provide you a quality referral.

3. Take advantage of your dental insurance.

Find quality and value through your current dental insurance or discount dental plan. At WhiteWing Dental we want to ensure that we are able to provide your family with the best services at a cost convenient to your needs.

We work in-network with a number of insurance companies including but not limited to: Aetna, Cigna, GEHA, Ameritas, BCBS, Guardian, Humana, Delta Dental, Metlife, United Concordia, Dental Selection, and Lincoln.

4. Ask around for recommendations and do some reputation research.

Personal recommendations are still a valid method to find a quality dentist. But now, thanks to the Internet, you can find plenty of reviews from previous/current patients.

Google and Facebook reviews can provide some quality insight when you’re still in the process of making a choice.

5. Schedule a visit.

Sometimes the only way to make a solid decision is first-hand experience and a conversation.

Choosing the right family dentist should include having an examination scheduled in a timely manner. Sure, dentist “X” might be an excellent recommendation but your family’s dental health can really suffer if the dentist doesn’t have time to see you.

Your first visit to a new dentist should include plenty of questions and solid answers. Is your new dentist performing a review of your dental history? Did your visit include a thorough oral examination including x-rays and screenings for other oral health care issues?

A few questions you might consider asking include:

• What type of emergency care is offered – if any?
• What type of medications are you qualified to use for “sleep” or sedation dentistry?
• Are there flexible payment options?
• What about next-day availability for emergencies?
• What does their full dental examination include?

6. Go with your gut.

Alongside the quality of care you receive, there are some additional variables that should be considered when choosing the best family dentist for you.

• Did you (and your children) feel comfortable in the office and examination rooms? Did they meet your standard of cleanliness?
• Do you feel like staff members treated you well and listened carefully to your concerns and needs?
• How comfortable with the dentist and hygienist were you? Did they meet your expectations? Do you feel like they treated you and your children’s dental needs thoroughly?

Sometimes a dentist office just feels right and you’ll know it.

7. What did your kids think?

Remember, when choosing a family dentist, you’ll want some input from your children. They’ll be receiving dental care just like you and you want to make sure they are comfortable with the decision being made.

This can be especially important for those of you with little ones.

These initial experiences with a dentist can prove to have a positive (or detrimental) effect. Do they remember their childhood visits to the dentist as relatively pleasant? Or did they have some sort of traumatizing experience that may hurt their willingness to visit a dentist as they age?

Set them on the right path from the get-go.

WhiteWing Dental is pleased to offer some of the best family dentists in McAllen. We’re happy to treat every age group, from tots to grandma.

Our McAllen dentists have the experience and skills needed to provide you and your family with top rate dental care.

WhiteWing Dental would be honored to grow alongside you and your children as your primary dental care facility. Reach out to us today for a consultation at (956) 686-5577.