You might think that a family dentist and a general dentist is the same thing, but many general dentists only treat adults—a family dentist also treats children, although they might not necessarily treat children of all ages. Some only see children over the age of 5. Just like a general dentist, a family dentist usually focuses on preventive and restorative dental care, including routine dental exams, filling cavities, and fluoride treatments. When a patient needs orthodontic treatment or oral surgery, family dentists refer them out to a specialist.