The American Dental Association recommends seeing a dentist when your child gets his or her first tooth. That can be as early as six months.
You should bring your child to the dentist’s office by his or her first birthday at the latest. But first, you need to learn the best practices when choosing dentists for kids. Keep reading for the top five tips for finding a dentist.
1. Start With Experience
You don’t want to take your child to a dentist who doesn’t have experience with kids’ teeth. You also don’t want to deal with a brand new dentist who has only practiced for a few years.
To verify your dentist has the right experience, ask for a portfolio. Pay attention to the types of patients the dentist has worked with, looking especially for mention of experience with pediatric patients.
Also, ensure the dentist has experience with the procedure your child needs. Click to learn more about one of the earliest dental issues kids experience.
2. Check Out References and Reviews
Once you have a list of dentists that have experience with children, it’s time to peruse references and reviews. These valuable resources allow you a peek inside other patients’ experiences with the professionals on your list.
3. Narrow Down Your List By Comparing Dentist Costs
These days, many dentists list their prices online. This makes it easy to compare the costs of each dentist left on your list. Knocking out dentists who are outside of your budget can help you narrow down your choices.
4. Consider Different Dental Specializations
Are you searching for a dentist to treat your child only? Or do you need a professional who can see the whole family? Your answer to this question will determine whether you need a specialty dentist.
Many dentists specialize in pediatric dentistry. These professionals aren’t ideal for the whole family.
A general family dentist can treat patients of all ages. But your kid won’t get the same level of care from a family dentist as he or she would from a pediatric dentist.
5. Determine If Your Insurance Is Accepted
Your list of options for dentists should be getting shorter by now. So, the last step to finding the best professional for your child is to verify your insurance eligibility. This step can save you countless dollars on pediatric dentistry.
If you have dental insurance, your policy may only cover certain in-network dentists. Your insurance company may also only pay for specific dental procedures.
Call the remaining dentists on your list to find out which ones take your insurance. Also, log onto your online account to verify that the dental work your child needs will be covered.
Choosing Dentists for Kids Is Easy With These Tips
Frequent dental visits are as critical for your child as they are for improving your dental health. We hope these tips will help you find the best pediatric dentist for your kid’s needs!
Want additional mom-friendly tips about choosing dentists for kids? Keep scrolling for more articles like this one!
Nice article. We have to develop teeth cleaning habits for our kids so that they can take care of their teeth. You can also wear them a Transparent teeth aligner to protect their teeth.