How to Find the Best Children’s Dentist Near You: Did you know that 91% of Americans over the age of 20 have a cavity? On top of that, almost half of people over the age of 30 suffer from gum disease.
Dental issues such as these are treateable, but as any dentist can tell you, the dental habits we practice as children affect us for the rest of our lives. That means that if you have kids, finding the best children’s dentist should be a priority.
To help you find the right person, we’ve put together this list of tips. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know exactly what you need to do to land a talented yet comforting child’s dentist.
Read on to learn all about how to find the perfect pediatric dentist for your children.
Ask Other Parents for Recommendations
Do you know any other parents with kids around the age of yours? If you do, ask them for children’s dentist recommendations. Getting a referral from someone you trust is always a good first step.
Ask them how they felt about the dentist’s office, how comfortable their child felt, and whether or not they would visit again.
Try and find someone whose child has seen an actual dentist as opposed to a dental hygienist. If a child has had a filling or some other type of treatment, they’ll have better insight into what the office is really like.
Read Online Reviews
Whether or not you end up finding a dentist through someone you trust, your next step is to check what people are saying online. To do this, you can turn to platforms like Google and Yelp.
Again, look for how parents and their children felt while at the office. Did they feel that the dentist was knowledgeable and had the necessary training? Did they comfort their children through some of the more difficult parts of the visit?
Remember to take everything you read with a grain of salt. Not all reviews will be honest, but you can use them to get a general sense of what you might expect at that office.
Ensure That They Have Special Training
Some dentists might advertise that they work well with children. Remember that just because they say that, it doesn’t mean that they’re a pediatric dentist.
Pediatric dentists are dentists who go through an extra couple of years of training. During that time, they learn how to work with children—how to comfort, console, and talk to them.
Don’t visit a “children’s dentist” unless you’re certain that they’ve undergone that training. It might not seem like a big deal, but you’ll notice a difference the moment you step into the office.
Inspect The Environment
Somewhere between 9% to 20% of adults fear going to the dentist, so it shouldn’t surprise you that many children are also afraid of it. The right pediatric dentist works hard to alleviate those fears.
A child’s dentist office is a bright and happy place that caters to both the psychological and physical needs of your child. Everyone who works there speaks with a special voice and makes an effort to make all children feel happy.
Pediatric dentists also work to explain what they’re going to do before they begin. This ensures that your child feels as comfortable as possible before they even sit down in the chair.
Preventative Care Over Reactive Care
The top pediatric dentists understand that good dental hygiene means preventing problems from happening in the first place. They don’t wait until problems arise to treat them.
Children’s dentists offer treatments and procedures that help to prevent dental problems from developing. This includes things like dental sealants, which protect the enamel, and fluoride treatments, which prevent tooth decay.
These sorts of procedures help ensure that your child’s beaming smile doesn’t end go away once they become an adult. It sticks with them throughout the rest of their life.
Treat You Like Family
Many children (and adults) find the doctor-patient relationship to be uncomfortable. Try your best to find a dentist that doesn’t treat your child as another patient but rather as a member of the family.
Pediatric dentists should take the time to get to know your child before starting any procedures. Observe whether or not they take the time to ask your child about school, hobbies, sports, and other similar topics.
You also want to ensure that the dentists personalize the care that they administer to your child. They should tell both you and your child why they’re doing what they are.
Arrange a Consultation
The first appointment your child has with a pediatric dentist should feel like a consultation. That’s the time when you can stop and ask yourself if that particular office feels right to you.
Did you find the dentist and other employees to be warm and welcoming? Did the environment put any worries that your child had at ease? Do you see your child going back there regularly?
If you didn’t get a good feeling, take the time to find another place. Otherwise, congratulations—you found the perfect children’s dentist!
Finding the Best Children’s Dentist Made Easy
Searching for a children’s dentist requires you to do some research. You want to end up seeing a professional that you know and trust.
Use this guide as a resource to help you find the best children’s dentist. Follow the tips mentioned, and you’ll have no problem finding the right person.
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