A general dentist examines your teeth, gums and mouth, prevents and treats the most common dental problems, and coordinates your oral care over time. That usually means checkups, cleanings, fillings, crowns, gum care, extractions and urgent visits. When a problem needs focused expertise, your general dentist may refer you to a specialist and stay involved afterward.
Key Takeaways
- A general dentist is your primary oral-health provider: the dentist you see for routine checkups, new symptoms and most common treatment.
- General dentistry covers prevention, diagnosis, restorative care such as fillings and crowns, gum care, extractions and emergency assessment. The exact range varies from one practice to another.
- Dental specialists, such as orthodontists, periodontists and oral surgeons, complete additional training in one field and often see patients by referral.
- A referral is a normal part of good care. It does not mean your general dentist has stopped being responsible for your ongoing oral health.
What is a general dentist?
A general dentist is a licensed dentist who provides broad, ongoing oral health care for patients of all ages, rather than limiting their work to one specialty. In Canada, general dentists complete a university dental degree and must be licensed by the provincial regulator; in Nova Scotia, that is the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dentistry and Dental Assisting.
The general dentist is usually the first professional you see about anything in your mouth. The role is similar to a family doctor's: they know your history, look for changes over time, handle most common problems directly and bring in other professionals when needed. Many general practices describe themselves as family dentists because they see children, parents and grandparents in the same office.
General dentistry is broader than "fillings when something hurts." Much of the work is quiet: noticing early gum inflammation, watching a small area of enamel wear, and deciding whether something should be treated now, monitored or referred.
What does a general dentist do?
The work of a general dentist falls into a few main areas. The table gives an overview; the paragraphs below explain each one.
| Area of care | Typical examples | Where a referral may come in |
|---|---|---|
| Prevention | Checkups, cleanings, fluoride, sealants, home-care coaching, mouthguards | Rarely needed |
| Diagnosis | Exams, gum measurements, dental X-rays, intraoral photos | Unusual lesions, complex imaging questions |
| Restorative care | Fillings, crowns, bridges, inlays and onlays, dentures | Very complex full-mouth reconstruction |
| Gum care | Periodontal evaluation, scaling, maintenance visits | Advanced periodontitis needing surgery |
| Oral surgery | Routine extractions, some implant and bone graft procedures | Difficult impacted teeth, medically complex cases |
| Urgent care | Toothache, swelling, broken teeth, lost fillings or crowns | Serious facial trauma or spreading infection |
| Appearance and bite | Whitening, bonding, veneers, jaw joint (TMJ) assessment | Significant jaw or alignment problems |
Prevention and early detection
Prevention is the centre of general dentistry. At a checkup, the dentist looks for decay, gum disease, wear, cracks and changes in the soft tissues, and a hygienist removes plaque and tartar. The dentist may recommend fluoride or sealants for people at higher cavity risk, and a sports mouthguard or nightguard where there is a clear reason. For more on this side of care, see our explainer on what preventive dentistry is.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is where a general dentist's training does much of its work. It combines your history, what the dentist sees and feels, gum measurements and, when justified, images such as dental X-rays. According to the Canadian Dental Association, X-rays should be based on a clinical examination and a need for information that could contribute to diagnosis or treatment planning, so they are not taken automatically at every visit.
Restorative dentistry
Restorative dentistry repairs or replaces damaged and missing teeth. A general dentist may place a filling in a cavity, rebuild a weakened tooth with an inlay, onlay or crown, replace a missing tooth with a bridge or an implant crown, or make a removable denture. The goal is to restore function first, with appearance considered alongside it. Restorative dentistry is a special area of interest at Landmark Dental Care.
Gum care
Gum disease is common and often painless in its early stages. A general dentist and hygienist can assess gum health, treat gingivitis and many cases of early periodontitis with scaling and improved home care, and set up regular maintenance visits. More advanced disease may be referred to a periodontist.
Extractions and minor oral surgery
Many general dentists remove teeth that are badly broken, infected or crowded, and some also place dental implants or carry out bone grafting. Whether a particular extraction stays in the office depends on the tooth's position, your medical history and the dentist's training.
Emergency and urgent care
A general dental office is usually the first call for a toothache, a broken tooth, a knocked-out tooth, swelling or a lost crown. The dentist's job is to find the cause, relieve pain and stabilize the tooth, then plan follow-up. Landmark Dental Care's emergency dentistry page explains when to call the office and when to go to hospital.
Appearance, bite and jaw concerns
Many general dentists provide cosmetic treatment such as whitening, bonding, veneers and tooth contouring. They may also assess jaw pain, clicking and grinding, and offer bite adjustment or a nightguard. These services are chosen after an exam confirms that the underlying teeth and gums are healthy enough.
Not every general practice offers every service listed here. Root canal treatment and orthodontics, for example, are provided by some general dentists and referred by others. Ask your practice directly when a specific procedure matters to you.
General dentist vs. dental specialist
A dental specialist is a dentist who has completed additional full-time university training in one area and, in Canada, passed specialty examinations. The Royal College of Dentists of Canada lists the recognized specialties, which include the fields below.
| Specialist | Focus |
|---|---|
| Orthodontist | Tooth and jaw alignment, braces and aligners |
| Periodontist | Gums and supporting bone, advanced gum disease, gum surgery |
| Endodontist | Root canal treatment and the inside of the tooth |
| Oral and maxillofacial surgeon | Complex extractions, jaw surgery, facial injuries |
| Prosthodontist | Complex replacement of teeth and full-mouth reconstruction |
| Pediatric dentist | Children, including those with complex medical or behavioural needs |
| Oral medicine and pathology specialist | Diagnosis of unusual lesions and oral disease |
The difference is breadth versus depth. A general dentist handles a wide range of common needs across your whole mouth and your whole life. A specialist handles a narrower range of more complex problems. Most people see a general dentist regularly and a specialist only occasionally, if at all.
When does a general dentist refer you to a specialist?
A general dentist may refer you when a case needs focused expertise, advanced surgery, specialized equipment, or closer coordination with your medical care than a general office can provide. Common examples include moderate to severe tooth crowding, advanced periodontitis, a tooth with complicated root anatomy, a deeply impacted wisdom tooth, or an unusual patch in the mouth that needs a biopsy.
A referral does not mean something is rare or frightening. Often it means the expected benefit is higher with a specialist, or that a team approach will produce a clearer plan. Ask what the specialist will assess, what records and X-rays will be sent, and how care returns to your general dentist afterward.
Staging is also common. Your general dentist may relieve pain and control infection first, finish preventive and restorative needs, and then coordinate specialist or elective treatment once your mouth is stable. If you ask for a treatment the practice does not provide, a clear explanation of options and referral pathways is the responsible answer.
How a general dentist coordinates your care over time
Continuity is one of the main values of staying with one general dentist. Over the years, the team can compare today's findings with earlier notes and images, notice slow changes that a single visit would miss, and plan treatment in a sensible order.
A coordinated plan usually works through these steps:
- Clarify your main concern. Pain, function, appearance or routine prevention.
- Complete the examination. Clinical findings plus imaging only when it is justified.
- Identify disease and risk. Decay, gum disease, cracks, wear, missing teeth or soft-tissue changes.
- Set priorities. Pain and infection before cosmetic refinement; gum health before extensive restorative work.
- Explain next steps. Appointments, home care, referrals, estimated costs and when to return.
Dental benefits may influence the timing of non-urgent care, but they should not change the diagnosis. It is reasonable to ask for an estimate and to check with your plan before starting elective work.
Good coordination also depends on you. Tell the team about new medical diagnoses, medications, pregnancy and hospital care, because each can change which treatments are safe and when.
General dentistry at every age and stage
General dentists see people through every stage of life, and the focus shifts as you age.
Babies and children. The Canadian Dental Association recommends that infants be assessed within six months of the first tooth appearing or by one year of age. Early visits focus on how teeth are coming in, cavity risk, feeding habits and fluoride. Sealants may be recommended for back teeth with deep grooves.
Teens and young adults. Common topics include sports mouthguards, wisdom teeth, orthodontic questions, and habits such as vaping and energy drinks that affect enamel and gums.
Pregnancy. Gums can become more tender and prone to bleeding during pregnancy. Health Canada notes that regular checkups are especially important during pregnancy, and the dentist will plan any X-rays or treatment with that in mind.
Adults. The focus often moves to maintaining existing fillings and crowns, managing wear from grinding, and catching gum disease early.
Seniors. Older adults are more likely to have root decay, gum recession, dry mouth from medications and dentures that need adjusting. A general dentist can check denture fit and the tissues underneath, and coordinate with your physician when medical conditions affect dental care.
Dental anxiety. A general dentist you see regularly can learn what makes visits easier for you, such as explaining each step first, agreeing on a signal to pause, or booking shorter appointments.
What a general dentist does not do
A general dentist is not a substitute for a physician. If a dental problem comes with signs of serious illness, such as facial swelling that is spreading, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a high fever, you need medical care first. Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency department.
A general dentist also cannot guarantee outcomes. No checkup finds every problem at its earliest stage, and no filling, crown or implant lasts forever. Honest care includes explaining the limits of each option, the risks, and what you can do at home to help treatment last.
Finally, a general dentist does not decide your care alone. The best plans come from shared decisions, where you understand the findings and choose among reasonable options, including monitoring when that is appropriate.
Finding a general dentist in Truro and Colchester County
Landmark Dental Care is a family general practice at 125 Queen St in downtown Truro, led by principal dentist Dr. J. Peter Thomson, D.D.S. The practice sees patients from Truro, Bible Hill and across Colchester County, and restorative dentistry is a special area of interest. Services include checkups and new-patient exams, hygiene with Cavitron ultrasonic cleaning, fillings, crowns, bridges, inlays and onlays, implant crowns, implant surgery and bone grafting, extractions, removable dentures, TMJ therapy, cosmetic care, emergency visits, digital X-rays, 3D CBCT imaging and an intraoral camera.
The office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm, in a Victorian Queen Anne–style home downtown. If you are choosing a practice, our guide on how to choose a dentist in Truro lists practical questions to ask any office.
For help with costs, Nova Scotia's Children's Oral Health Program covers basic dental care for children aged 14 and younger with a valid Nova Scotia health card, and the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan helps eligible residents without private dental insurance. Please call to confirm current CDCP participation and billing, and see our CDCP page for details.
FAQ
Is a general dentist the same as a family dentist?
Mostly, yes. "Family dentist" usually describes a general dentist who sees patients of all ages in one practice. Both terms refer to primary dental care rather than a specialty.
Can a general dentist do root canals and extractions?
Many general dentists perform routine extractions, and some also do root canal treatment. More complex cases are often referred to an endodontist or oral surgeon, so ask your practice which procedures it provides.
Do I need a referral to see a dental specialist?
Not always, but many specialists prefer or require one. A referral from your general dentist also means your records and X-rays arrive with you, which can avoid repeated imaging.
Can a general dentist do cosmetic dentistry?
Yes. Many general dentists offer whitening, bonding, veneers and contouring. Suitability is confirmed after an exam, because decay or gum disease usually needs treatment first.
How often should I see my general dentist?
There is no single interval for everyone. The Canadian Dental Association says many people are seen about every six months, but your dentist may recommend more or less often; see our guide to how often you should go to the dentist.
Next step
If you want one dentist to look after your checkups, repairs and questions over the years, explore general dentistry at Landmark Dental Care. Call 902-893-2919 or contact the office to book a new-patient exam at 125 Queen St, Truro.
References
- Canadian Dental Association: The Dental Exam
- Canadian Dental Association: Regular Dental Check-ups
- Canadian Dental Association: Control of X-Radiation in Dentistry
- Royal College of Dentists of Canada
- Nova Scotia Regulator of Dentistry and Dental Assisting
- Health Canada: Smile — Healthy Teeth, Healthy Body
- American Dental Association: Oral Health Topics
This article provides general educational information and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for care from a dentist or other qualified health professional.
About this guide
This article was written and reviewed by the Landmark Dental Care Team at Landmark Dental Care, 125 Queen St, Truro, NS B2N 2B4. It is general patient education and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for an examination. If you have pain, swelling or a change in your mouth, call us at 902-893-2919 so a dentist can assess you.