Healthy Parents Guide to Finding the Best Pediatric Dentist for Your Child

Healthy Parents Guide to Finding the Best Pediatric Dentist

Pediatric dental care sets the stage for your child’s future dental health. Read this healthy parents guide to finding the best pediatric dentist.

Good oral health is important for everyone, regardless of age, and healthy habits start young. Taking your child to the dentist for cleanings and check-ups is essential to their oral health.

But sometimes finding the best pediatric dentist in your area can be tricky, especially if there are many to consider. You want to find someone experienced and qualified, but you also need someone who can interact well with your child and help them feel at ease.

Let’s take a moment to look at some of the qualities that make up the best pediatric dentist for you and your child:

The Best Pediatric Dentist Has Training and Experience

To find the best pediatric dentist in your area, look for someone that has specifically trained to be such. Not only should they have attended dental school, but they should also have specialized in pediatric dentistry so they have the skills needed to treat young teeth.

Pediatric dentistry is not the same as general dentistry. A pediatric dentist has to understand kids’ teeth, they need to have some skills when it comes to interacting with younger patients. This includes an understanding of serving kids with special needs and those who might be afraid to go to the dentist.

Look for a pediatric dentist that has experience and great reviews from patients or seek out recommendations from friends or family members that you can trust.

Consider the Environment

A disdain for dental visits isn’t limited to kids alone. Plenty of adults have anxiety about seeing the dentist. But for kids who don’t understand what to expect, their anxiety can get the best of them.

This is why it’s so important to look not only for a great dentist but an office with a welcoming atmosphere. An environment that is full of friendly faces, bright colors, uplifting decor, and lots of positive feedback can go a long way in helping your child feel at ease.

The dentist should take the time to tell your child what to expect during their visit and describe things as they go along. The dentist might use words and phrases that kids can relate to and understand.

The goal of the best pediatric dentist is to make a child feel at ease and comfortable coming back. This might include funny interactions and even faces and plenty of patience.

Do They Focus on Preventative Care?

The very best dentists focus on proactive care instead of waiting to treat problems when they arise. For example, children are much more susceptible to tooth decay than adults, so a dentist that understands children’s mouths can recognize potential problems before they become more serious.

Fluoride treatments are commonly used in pediatric dentist offices. They help make teeth more resistant to cavities. Your child’s dentist can look at their teeth and administer fluoride or recommend supplements.

Are You Valued As a Patient?

Your child’s health is important and so is how they feel. You want to make sure they’re in good hands when you choose a dentist to care for their teeth. You and your family want to be treated like a valued patient and as the parent, you want to be respected.

Look for a dentist that works to build long-lasting relationships in their community and with their patients. You can get a sense for your dentist’s dedication by observing how they speak to you and your child, how they respect your time if they’re involved in the community, and if an effort is made to hire helpful, friendly staff.

Do Staff Members Aim to Please?

Of course, it isn’t just the dentist who matters. The staff members have a lot of influence on your decision for choosing a dental practice for your child. Receptionists and dental hygienists should also practice friendly manners and a willingness to be of assistance.

The best staff members respond in a timely manner to your calls and answer any questions they can about procedures, appointments, and so forth. Hygienists should be gentle when performing cleanings and take the time to get to know your child before they jump straight into their work.

If you often feel like you’re getting the brush-off or if staff members are impatient, you might want to consider looking at a different dental practice.

Where Are They Located?

There are many great pediatric dentists out there, but when narrowing down your choices, it’s probably best to look at those that are nearest to you. If you have kids in school, it’s much easier to squeeze in an appointment when you don’t have a long way to go to get there.

If you have an autistic child or a child with anxiety, having a shorter drive to get to the dentist can make a big difference in their ability to cope and avoid any tantrums.

Look No Further

You’ve read about some of the traits that make the best pediatric dentist, now we invite you to consider us!

We’ve worked hard to build a reputation of professionalism and friendliness with all of our young patients. We understand the needs of the kids we see and strive to help them feel welcome and well cared for.

Learn more about our knowledgeable staff and give us a call to set up an appointment for your child today. We look forward to getting to know you better and assisting your family in creating healthy, happy smiles for life.