Why Families Choose Us for Dental Care
Choosing a family dentist is a big decision, and parents want to feel confident about the people caring for their children and loved ones. Families come to our practice for several reasons.
- Care for every age. We welcome babies, children, teens, adults, and seniors, so no one has to look for a separate office.
- Prevention first. We focus on catching concerns early, which helps families avoid treatment that is more costly, painful, and inconvenient later.
- Highly trained leadership. Dr. Bracken Godfrey is a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry and a Diplomate of the American Board of General Dentistry, credentials held by less than 1 percent of dentists nationwide.
- Advanced hygiene care. Our hygiene visits feature Guided Biofilm Therapy, a modern approach to professional cleanings.
- Convenience. Scheduling the household in one place saves time, simplifies insurance, and keeps everyone on track.
- A clean, safe environment. Our infection control protocols go beyond recommended standards, which you can read about on our Patient Safety page.
Family Dental Services We Offer
Families have different needs at different times, and our services are designed to cover them. From routine preventive care to repairs and smile improvements, we can handle most dental needs in one office. Our family dentistry services include the following.
- Dental cleanings and exams. Professional cleanings and comprehensive exams, including oral cancer screenings, for every age.
- Kid-friendly dentistry. Gentle care that helps children feel comfortable and build healthy habits.
- Composite fillings. Tooth colored fillings that repair cavities and blend in with the natural smile.
- Dental crowns and bridges. Restorations that protect damaged teeth and replace missing ones.
- Sports mouth guards and night guards. Custom protection for active kids and for patients who grind their teeth.
- Teeth whitening and cosmetic options. Ways to brighten and refresh smiles for special occasions or everyday confidence.
- Emergency dental care. Help when a toothache or injury cannot wait.
How We Welcome Your Whole Family from the First Call
Getting started should feel easy for every member of the family. When you call our Somersworth office, our team helps you decide the best way to begin based on each person’s needs and goals. Here is what the process typically looks like.
01
A Friendly First Conversation
You tell us about your family, any concerns, and your preferred days and times. We can help schedule several family members together when possible.
02
Paperwork and Insurance Review
We collect your information and review your benefits, so you know what to expect. Please bring your insurance cards, medication lists, and any previous dental records.
03
A Comprehensive Exam for Each Patient
Each family member receives an evaluation of the teeth, gums, bite, and jaw, along with an oral cancer screening and digital images when needed.
04
A Gentle, Thorough Cleaning
We remove plaque and tartar and polish the teeth, adjusting our approach to suit each age and comfort level.
05
A Clear Review and Personalized Plan
We explain what we found in plain language and recommend care tailored to each person. The decision to move forward is always yours.
06
Easy Follow Up
We help you schedule the next round of visits so your family stays on track with regular care.
Dental Care Through Every Stage of Life
A smile changes over the years, and the care it needs changes with it. Our team tailors each visit to the stage of life a patient is in. Here is a general look at what families can expect.
- Babies and toddlers. A child should have a first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of the first tooth appearing. Early visits focus on getting comfortable, checking development, and guiding parents on cleaning and feeding habits.
- Children. Regular checkups and cleanings help prevent cavities, monitor how baby teeth are lost and permanent teeth arrive, and build lifelong brushing and flossing skills.
- Teens. Teenagers often need guidance on sports protection, changing diets, and wisdom teeth development, along with support as they take ownership of their own oral health.
- Adults. Adult care centers on preventing cavities and gum disease, protecting existing dental work, and addressing concerns such as grinding, jaw discomfort, or the look of the smile.
- Seniors. Older adults benefit from close monitoring of gum health, dry mouth, worn teeth, and restorations, and from options to replace missing teeth comfortably.
Planning Dental Costs for the Whole Household
Dental care for several people can add up, so we want costs to be clear from the start. Many plans cover preventive care for children and adults at a high level, which makes regular family visits one of the smartest ways to use your benefits. We accept all dental insurance plans except Medicaid, we are in network with Delta Dental Premier, and we offer financing through Sunbit for care that insurance does not fully cover. Our team will review your coverage and explain estimated costs before any treatment begins.
Give Your Family the Gift of Healthy Smiles
Healthy teeth and gums help your family eat, speak, learn, and smile with confidence at every age. Our team at Godfrey Dentistry in Somersworth, NH is ready to welcome your household with patient, personalized care. Schedule your family’s visits today and make dental care a simple, comfortable part of your routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Family Dentistry
Family dentistry is comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages, from young children to older adults, provided by one team in one office. It includes preventive services such as cleanings and exams, treatment for cavities and gum concerns, and options to improve the look of a smile. Seeing a family dentist means each person’s dental history stays in one place, which helps us notice changes early and make recommendations that fit the whole family. Our Somersworth, NH office is set up to welcome everyone from toddlers to grandparents.
A general dentist provides routine dental care for teeth and gums, while a family dentist is a general dentist who also welcomes patients of every age, including children. In practice, the two terms overlap, and both focus on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of common dental concerns. The main difference is convenience, since a family dentist lets parents, children, and other relatives receive care at the same practice. Our team provides both general dentistry and family care under one roof.
Children should have a first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months after their first tooth comes in. Early checkups allow us to monitor how the teeth, gums, and jaws are developing and to give parents practical tips on cleaning, feeding, and habits such as pacifier use. These visits are usually short and gentle, and they help children become comfortable in a dental setting from the start. You can learn more on our kid-friendly dentistry page.
Most children and adults should have a professional cleaning and exam about every six months. This schedule helps remove plaque and tartar, catch cavities and early gum disease, and keep small concerns from becoming larger problems. Some family members may need more frequent visits, including those with a history of gum disease, frequent cavities, or certain medical conditions. We will recommend the right schedule for each person during their exam.
Yes, whenever our schedule allows, we are happy to book family members back to back or at the same time of day. This saves trips, reduces time away from work and school, and makes it easier to remember six month checkups. When you call 603-692-2045 or request an appointment online, let our team know who needs to be seen and your preferred days and times. We will do our best to find options that work for the whole household.
Please bring each patient’s dental insurance card, a list of current medications, and any previous dental records or X-rays that are available. It is also helpful to arrive a little early to complete paperwork if you have not already done so. Let us know about medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart valve concerns, since this helps us plan care safely. Patients under 18 should be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Yes. Along with preventive care, we offer restorative treatment such as fillings, crowns, and bridges, and cosmetic options such as teeth whitening, bonding, and veneers. This means a family does not need to visit different offices when a cavity needs repair, a tooth is damaged, or a teenager or parent wants a brighter smile. Our team will explain the options and costs before any treatment begins so you can make confident decisions.
We accept all dental insurance plans except Medicaid, and we are in network with Delta Dental Premier. Most plans cover preventive care such as exams and cleanings at a high level for both children and adults, and our team can verify each family member’s benefits before the visit. We also offer financing through Sunbit for care that insurance does not fully cover. Visit our Insurance and Financing page to learn more about coverage and payment options.
