Regular dental visits for children set them up for a lifetime of good oral health. Choosing a quality pediatric dentist for your child is an important step. Children can health about the importance of regular cleaning, oral problems can be caught quickly, and it helps to ensure the overall healthy development of the teeth and mouth.
Some people may have a fear of dentists, also known as dentophobia or odontophobia. These early visits can help children to become accustomed to dentists and regular checkups.
In this blog post, we will highlight how to choose the best pediatric dentists for your child. While a general dentist can care for both children and adults, a pediatric dentist solely specializes in children’s oral health.
Pediatric dentists have two additional years of training following completion of dental school. This means they have the qualifications and experience to care for children’s teeth and oral health.
Let’s get started and consider the most important factors when choosing a pediatric dental clinic for your child or children.
Take A Look at Reviews
These days, it is easy to find reviews about companies online, through search engines, social media, and company websites. Identity a few nearby pediatric dentists and read what the parents of current and past patients are saying.
These reviews provide honest opinions and you will be able to form an understanding of the pros and cons of a pediatric dental clinic. You will be also able to learn more about their range of available services and how well they work with children of a particular age.
Speak With Friends
If you have friends with children, the chances are that they can give you useful advice on local pediatric dental clinics. They will likely be able to recommend you to some good clinics and answer any questions that you have without bias. Given that your friends are likely to know your children, they will be able to give their opinion on whether a particular clinic is a good fit for them.
Schedule Consultations With Pediatric Dentists
A consultation with a pediatric dentist is an opportunity to have a tour of the dental clinic, meet with staff, and learn about the company as a whole. Your child or children can meet the dentist and become accustomed to everyone and everything. There won’t be any dental work performed at this consultation.
Pediatric dental clinics are designed to be child-friendly and you will be able to see how the office caters to children. From the environment in the waiting room to the relaxed atmosphere, you will be able to see how suitable the clinic is for children to visit.
If you have any specific questions or doubts, the dentist will be able to answer everything during your consultation.
Consider Their Credentials and Experience
As we have mentioned in the introduction, there is a difference between general and pediatric dentistry. All pediatric dentists will have an extra two years of residency training that is specialized in dentistry for:
- Infants
- Young children
- Teenagers
- Children with special needs
When choosing a pediatric dentist for your child or children, it is worth noting the qualifications and experience that the dentists have. You may be able to find this information online through their website or you can ask about this during your initial consultation.
Here at Kids Stop Dental, for example, we have decades of experience working in pediatric dentistry. Dr. John L. Barnett, Jr. began his practice of pediatric dentistry in 1978. He is a member of the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the National Dental Association.
Consider Logistics
This is an important factor to consider when choosing a pediatric dentist, in the same way that it is with schools, sporting organizations, and more. You should opt for a pediatric dental clinic that is convenient to you in terms of location.
One that is close to your home, your place of business, and your child’s or children’s school. Choosing a ‘pediatric dentist near me’ is particularly useful in the case of an emergency where immediate dental care is required.
Schedule Your First Appointment With Your Top Candidate
You should take time to consider your options. Look at the information you have gathered from:
- Reading reviews
- Speaking to friends
- Scheduling consultations
- Considering the logistics
Once you have chosen your preferred pediatric dental clinic, it’s time to schedule your first appointment. Your child should start going to the dentist by the time that their first tooth appears; most children should have their first visit by the age of 1.
During your first appointment, the dentist will:
- Perform a thorough oral health check
- Clean the teeth
- Provide advice and information in order to ensure that your child’s teeth and mouth remain strong and healthy.
When you choose the right pediatric dentist, you know that your child or children will be in great hands for many years to come.
Choose the Best Pediatric Dentists for Your Child
The above information will help you to make an informed decision when you are choosing the best pediatric dentists for your child.
Here at Kids Stop Dental in Fort Worth, Texas, we provide quality one-to-one treatment for children of all ages. Our dentists are specially trained to identify potential dental issues early and are able to advise parents on the need for any necessary treatment.
Contact our friendly team today to schedule your first visit to Kids Stop Dental. Our goal is to ensure that children have the happy and healthy smiles that they deserve in a relaxed, friendly, and welcoming atmosphere.