Children’s teeth are more sensitive and predisposed to tooth decay. In fact, around 20% of children aged between 5 to 11 have at least one cavity that goes untreated. That’s why it’s important to prioritize your children’s oral health for strong and healthy teeth. Finding the right pediatric dentist is one way to guarantee your kids’ oral health and keep cavities and other dental conditions at bay. However, with the plethora of pediatric dentists available, it’s hard to find the perfect one for your kids’ dental care. If this describes your predicament, fear not; we’re here to help.
Join us today as we highlight a couple of things you should look for in a pediatric dentist.
Licenses and Certificates
It would be very unwise to put your kids’ oral health in the hands of an uneducated and unqualified dentist. Most dental procedures require utmost diligence and a firm understanding of the entire oral cavity. One wrong move could mean excruciating pain and messed-up teeth for your kids.
That said, the first thing you need to find in a pediatric dentist is proper licensing and certification from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. This lets you know that you’re dealing with a professional that you can trust. Anyone without a valid license or certificate is a definite no-no.
Special Pediatric Training
Not every dentist is a pediatric dentist; pediatric dentists require an extra two to three years of pediatric training to earn the pediatric tag.
Some pediatric dentists start as general dentists then later train to become pediatric dentists. This training helps dentists better understand child psychology to dispel the kids’ fears and make them feel comfortable during the entire visit.
Any dentist without special pediatric training isn’t a pediatric dentist but a regular one. These dentists handle your dental problems, but not your kids’. Leave your childrens’ dental issues to a licensed pediatric dentist.
A Proper Understanding of Dental Anxiety
It’s no surprise that around 16% of school-age children are scared of the dentist. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but your child may be among the lot. Pediatric dentists need to properly understand dental anxiety to deal with kids terrified of the dentist’s office.
Competent pediatric dentists know how to mitigate dental anxiety. One way they do so is by giving the kid a captivating and straightforward step-by-step explanation of the entire process. Doing so makes the dental experience way less scary and allows the procedure to proceed seamlessly.
Service Variety
Taking care of your kids’ oral health goes beyond mere dental checkups and tooth extractions. Pediatric dentists with extensive service variety have the necessary skills and equipment to handle your child’s dental needs, even special ones.
Find a child dentist that can handle both general pediatric dental care and specialized dental needs. Examples of specialist dental care include dental alignment, maxillofacial surgery, tooth replacement, and the likes. Any pediatric dentist that offers the said services and others is definitely worth your time.
A Bubbly and Positive Atmosphere
A dentist’s office is one place most kids never want to set foot in. Pediatric dentists have the challenge of creating a fun and bubbly atmosphere in an otherwise nightmarish place. The best child dentists pull this off without breaking a sweat.
A child-friendly environment should have colorful décor to avoid looking too drab and lifeless. The dentist should also have a few activities for the kids before the actual checkup or treatment. Some of these activities may include puzzles, coloring, or even watching cartoons on TV.
A fun and positive environment will be imperative to making your kid feel comfortable and relaxed in the dentist’s office. This goes a long way in ensuring a successful dental checkup or treatment.
Family Treatment
The right pediatric dentist supersedes the commercial aspect of dentistry and treats their patients more like family than clients.
When looking for a child dentist for your kid, be sure to note how the dentist treats you and your kids. The right dentist will attempt to establish an almost filial relationship with your kid and demonstrate genuine care for the child’s oral health.
The dentist should show intent to build a long-lasting relationship with you. That way, you can be confident when coming for future dental visits. Find a kid-friendly dentist that treats you like family, and you’ll be sure your child’s oral health is in the right hands.
Positive Referrals and Reviews
When searching for a pediatric dentist near me, makes sure you check out the reviews and testimonials of the dentist you have in mind. Reviews are first-hand accounts of actual clients about the services of the dentist in question. They’ll give you a good idea of what you should expect from the dentist.
Any dentist with consistently positive reviews is worth your attention. However, be careful with overly positive reviews that sound a bit generic. Some dentists are notorious for fabricating their own reviews to dupe prospective clients.
If you want honest reviews, you can find them on review sites like the better business bureau and other sites. Also, try to find referrals from your close friends and family; they’ll point you in the right direction.
Smooth Dental Consultation
The initial dental consultation will tell you a lot about the dentist. It shows you the general atmosphere and the dentist’s behavior around children.
Remember to ask as many questions as you can during the consultation. These questions can help you get insight into the dentists’ work ethic, availability, and pricing. Focus on the dentists’ engagements with kids and their approach to kids’ dental care.
Your Kids Deserve the Best Pediatric Dentist
When it comes to your children, only the best can do. Use the above tips to find the best pediatric dentist who can guarantee your kids’ dental health. Any dentist that checks all the above boxes is perfect for your kids.
Contact us today if you need competent, thorough, and kid-friendly dentists to handle your kids’ oral health. You won’t be disappointed.
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