James, 10, is taken to a dentist. The dentist diagnoses a cavity that needs to be filled. "Now, young man," asks the dentist, "what type of filling would you like to have?" "Cookies, please," replies the kid.

Family dentists continue a tradition that is hundreds of years old. Though in every respect, they function like other dentists, a close-knit social networking and their role in preventive medicine makes them different from other dentists. They advise people on the most effective methods to keep teeth and gums healthy in spite of many stresses. Family dentistry services include periodic teeth and gum care checkups, cleaning, one-on-one patient education and breath treatment. However, they also do restorative treatment and treat gums and teeth for problems related to headaches and the jaw. They perform extractions and are qualified to treat children and emergencies. Family dentists strive to fully understand the patient's needs and concerns, and draw their treatment plan after consulting with the patient.

According to www.austin.doctoroogle.com, there are nearly 200 family dentists in Austin, Texas. The website lists them with rating scores as well as their addresses, phone numbers, patient reviews and other useful information. Sift through some of these listings. Choose your family dentist based on proximity to your home (you will not want to drive an extremely long distance every six months), reputability as rated by past patients, and price. Costs will usually run about the same across the industry, but some dentists offer value-added services. The price, of course, then goes up a little.