At Kelly Family Dentistry, dental care for the whole family means having one trusted dental home that supports every stage of life. From a child’s first dental visit to ongoing care for adults and seniors, our team provides consistent, preventive-focused care designed to protect long-term oral health. Serving the Franklin community since 1981 and now led by Dr. Allyson Kelly, our practice blends decades of hometown values with thoughtful, personalized treatment for patients of all ages. We also offer same-day and emergency appointments when urgent needs arise.
This Article will address
- What whole-family dental care looks like at one office
- What services a family dentist provides
- Family dentist vs general dentist
- Benefits of choosing a family dentist
- How pediatric care fits into family dentistry
- How often families should schedule visits
- Common age-based needs, from kids to grandparents
- When to call for emergency dental care
What Does Dental Care for the Whole Family Look Like?
Dental care for the whole family is built around prevention, continuity, and convenience. Families often schedule coordinated appointments so parents and children can be seen close together, with records and care plans kept in one place. Routine visits include exams, professional cleanings, oral cancer screenings, and preventive guidance tailored to age and risk factors.
As needs change over time, care plans adjust without requiring families to visit multiple offices. Children receive guidance focused on healthy habits and development, adults benefit from ongoing preventive and restorative care, and seniors receive support for comfort and function. Same-day and emergency visits are part of this model, helping families address unexpected issues quickly and confidently.
Common elements of whole-family dental care include:
- A preventive foundation for every age
- A consistent care team familiar with family history
- Age-appropriate recommendations and treatment planning
- One location for both routine visits and urgent needs
What Services Does a Family Dentist Provide?
A family dentist offers a wide range of services designed to meet the needs of children, teens, adults, and seniors in one practice.
Preventive Dental Care for All Ages
Pediatric Dentistry
- Age-appropriate exams and cleanings
- Preventive guidance for parents and children
- Support for healthy habits as kids grow
Restorative Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry
Same-Day and Emergency Dental Care
- Dental injuries
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Tooth pain
If a dental emergency occurs, families are encouraged to call the office for an immediate appointment.
Why Choose a Family Dentist Over a General Dentist?
Family dentistry focuses on long-term relationships and continuity of care across all life stages. While a general dentist can provide broad dental services, a family dentist emphasizes caring for multiple generations within one household.
Choosing a family dentist often means:
- Greater convenience with one office for multiple family members
- Familiarity and trust that can ease anxiety, especially for children
- A consistent preventive strategy that evolves as patients age
- More effective long-term planning when one team understands the full family picture
In simple terms:
- Family dentist: multi-age continuity, coordinated family scheduling, long-term care planning
- General dentist: general care that may not center on whole-family continuity
What Are the Benefits of Choosing a Family Dentist?
Families benefit from having a single dental home that supports changing needs over time.
Key benefits include:
- One dental home for kids, teens, adults, and seniors
- More consistent preventive care and follow-through
- Easier scheduling with fewer separate providers
- Stronger relationships that help reduce dental anxiety
- Early detection of issues through regular exams and screenings
- Support for urgent needs with same-day or emergency appointments
- Community-based care rooted in long-term relationships in Franklin
These advantages help families stay proactive about oral health rather than reactive.
How Often Should Each Family Member Visit the Dentist?
Most patients benefit from dental checkups and cleanings every six months. However, visit frequency can vary based on individual needs, such as a history of gum disease, higher cavity risk, or ongoing restorative care.
Families are encouraged to follow personalized recommendations from their dentist, ensuring each member receives care aligned with their oral health goals.
What At-Home Habits Support Long-Term Oral Health for the Whole Family?
Daily habits at home play a significant role in long-term oral health.
Helpful habits by age group include:
- Kids: Parent-assisted brushing, building consistent routines
- Teens: Maintaining daily brushing and flossing, mindful diet choices, using sports guards when appropriate
- Adults: Focusing on gum health, protecting restorations, staying consistent with hygiene
- Seniors: Managing dry mouth, maintaining comfort and function, continuing regular dental visits
Combined with routine professional care, these habits support healthier smiles at every age.
Why Families in Franklin, TN Choose Kelly Family Dentistry
Families throughout Franklin choose Kelly Family Dentistry for its long-standing presence in the community and commitment to personalized care. Established in 1981, the practice has served generations of local families with a welcoming, patient-focused approach.
Led by Dr. Allyson Kelly, DDS, who completed her dental education at Meharry Medical College and advanced residency training through the Army’s AEGD program, the practice emphasizes thoughtful care, clear communication, and comfort. Patients value the hometown atmosphere, individualized attention, and availability of same-day and emergency appointments when needed.
Your Trusted Family Dentist in Franklin, TN
Dental care for the whole family means having one trusted dental home that supports every stage of life. At Kelly Family Dentistry in Franklin, TN, our team is dedicated to preventive-focused, personalized care for children, adults, and seniors alike. If you are looking for family dentistry in Franklin, TN, we are here to help. Contact Kelly Family Dentistry to schedule visits for your whole household and take the next step toward lifelong oral health.
Dr. Kelly
Dr. Allyson Kelly, DDS, is a dedicated General Dentist at Kelly Family Dentistry in Franklin, TN. A graduate of Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, she served five years as a Captain in the U.S. Army, where she completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency at Fort Carson. With advanced training in dental implants, oral surgery, and endodontics, Dr. Kelly combines clinical expertise with a compassionate approach to care. Outside the office, she enjoys equestrian sports, coaching her daughter’s soccer team, running half marathons with her husband, and giving back through school and community involvement.