It is recommended that you schedule your child’s first dental visit around the time of their first birthday or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in. This and subsequent dental visits will help to set your child up for a lifetime of good oral health.
During these first appointments, you and your child can learn more about the importance of regular cleaning. They are also beneficial for catching potential oral problems early and ensuring the healthy development of the child’s teeth and mouth.
Fear of the dentist, known as odontophobia or dentophobia, is quite common in children. By getting into a routine of regular dental visits early in the child’s life, they can become accustomed to dentists and dental checkups.
Pediatric dentistry refers to dentistry for children. A pediatric dentist specializes in children’s oral health and has undergone additional training following the completion of dental school. This makes them the perfect option when you are considering a dentist for your child.
In this blog post, we will share useful information on how you can find the best pediatric dentists for your child. We will also highlight what to look for in a pediatric dentist.
Speak With Your Friends
When you are looking for a quality pediatric dentist for your child, talking to friends and family members with children of their own is a good starting point. Depending on the age of their children, they may be able to recommend you some of the best local pediatric dentists and provide honest opinions that you can utilize.
Also, your friends and family members will likely know your child and be able to recommend a particular dentist who would be a good fit for them.
Read Online Reviews
Finding reviews about companies these days is a cinch—all it takes is a Google search. You will be able to find online reviews through search engines, company websites, comparison websites, and social media platforms. The opinions of past and current patients of a particular dental clinic will help you to gain a better understanding of its strengths and weaknesses.
In addition to being able to weigh up the pros and cons of a dental clinic, you can also learn about their facilities, available services, and their level of experience.
Schedule Some Consultations
Once you have done some homework on the available pediatric dentists in your area, you can start to schedule initial consultations. This will allow you to have a tour of their clinic, check out their facilities, meet with staff, and learn more about their history and approach to pediatric dentistry.
It will also allow your child to visit the clinic and meet the dentist. There won’t be any dental work performed during an initial consultation; it’s just an opportunity for them to become accustomed to the new setting.
Given that pediatric dentistry is solo focused on children, expect to see a child-friendly environment. Take note of the small details, such as the waiting room and the atmosphere as a whole. Try to get a sense of whether it is a place where your child would be relaxed rather than apprehensive.
These initial consultations will also give you the opportunity to ask questions. The dentist and their team will be able to answer everything and give you the information you seek.
Consider Their Expertise and Credentials
We have already highlighted that there is a difference between pediatric dentistry and general dentistry. To qualify as a pediatric dentist, it is necessary to complete two additional years of residency training. This training specializes in dentistry for all ages of children, including children with special needs.
When searching for your new pediatric dentist, take their credentials and expertise into account. Generally, this information will be available to read on a clinic’s website or you can inquire during the initial consultation.
Factor In Convenience
In addition to the above information, the best pediatric dental clinic will be one that is convenient to you and your busy life. Opt for a clinic that is close to your home, your place of work, or the child’s school.
Always having to travel a considerable distance to reach the dental clinic may not be sustainable in the long term. Proximity to the clinic is especially important in the event of a dental emergency where time is of the essence.
Schedule Your First Appointment
Take some time to weigh up your options before settling on your preferred choice. Once you have done so, you can schedule your first appointment. As noted in the introduction, most children will have their first appointment by the age of 12 months.
During the first appointment, your dentist will:
- Perform an oral health check
- Clean the teeth
- Provide information and advice on cleaning
Many children can feel anxious before a visit to a dentist. Click here to learn about how a dentist can help in this situation.
How to Choose the Right Pediatric Dentists
Taking the time to find the right pediatric dentist for your child is important. If you choose correctly, this dentist can be your child’s dentist for many years to come. Over time, the child will become more and more at ease with the chosen dentist, making them feel relaxed about checkups and cleanings.
The above information will help you to make an informed decision and find the’ best pediatric dentist near me’. Like this blog post on choosing the best pediatric dentists for your child? Be sure to check out our other informative articles on a wide range of interesting topics.
