How to Choose the Right Pediatric Dentist for Your Child
Being the parent of a little one (or a couple or a few) means making a lot of decisions each day—what to dress them in, what to feed them, what books to read, toys to purchase, schools in your district. There are also a lot of questions you’ll ask, such as: “How do I care for my child’s oral health? How do I help them through teething? When is fluoride toothpaste safe for them to use?”
It can feel a little overwhelming to think about. We’re pleased to provide supportive care and education that teaches children the importance of oral health and good habits that will keep their smile happy and healthy for life.
1 Tooth, 2 Teeth, Red Tongue, Blue Toothpaste
Did you know Dr. Seuss was a dentist? We joke (but first a little bit of trivia: the beloved writer and illustrator wasn’t actually a doctor at all, but wrote under the pen name Dr. Seuss because his father wanted him to practice medicine), but this is to emphasize how we like to make the dental world a fun, creative, exploratory, and yes, sometimes silly place for children to visit. That’s one difference you might find between a pediatric dentist and a general dentist
Olly Olly Oxen Free
Finding the right pediatric dentist for your child doesn’t have to be a tricky game of hide-and-seek. The AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentists) has a search tool that can help you narrow your selection based on your location.
How to Choose a Pediatric Dentist
A Lifetime of Oral Health Starts Early
Pediatric dentists are specialists in treating the unique needs of children. A pediatric dentist has completed two to three years of specialty training beyond dental school. He or she limits the practice to treating the oral health needs of infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.
Consider education and experience.
Once you have a list of a few pediatric dentists, do a little research. Find out about their educational background, where they went to school, and what kinds of continuing education or specialty training they’ve had. Before you set up an appointment, make sure the candidate is a licensed member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This ensures that he or she remains up to date on the newest and most effective clinical procedures.
Make sure your child is comfortable.
It’s very important for your child to feel comfortable with the pediatric dentist. Does the doctor have a pleasant chairside manner? Do you feel like he or she really pays attention to your concerns? Is the staff friendly and helpful? Does the office have a fun atmosphere that your child enjoys? Take all this into consideration when choosing a pediatric dental office.
Ask questions.
During your initial consultation, don’t be afraid to ask questions. After all, that’s why you’re there! It’s important for you to understand every aspect of your child’s dental health and the available treatment options. The more informed you are about your child’s dental health, the better decisions you will be able to make.
A few things to consider:
Is the office located near your home or work to make appointments as convenient as possible?
Do they offer extended office hours before or after work and school?
What types of insurance does the office work with and what kind of financing do they offer?
Do the dentist and staff seem interested in making your child’s experience personalized, or do you feel like “just a number?”
How to Choose a Dentist for Your Child in Frisco
From the moment they’re born, you can’t enough of your child’s smile. Knowing how to choose a dentist for your child is one of the most important jobs you have as a parent
Even though your child will lose their baby teeth, early dental care is still important. You’re helping them to form healthy habits early and help them keep a sparkling smile for life.
Check That They Have Pediatric Dental Experience
Children’s dental needs are different from adult dental needs, and your child will benefit from going to a dentist designated for their unique care.
Request a Consultation
When choosing a dentist for your child, it’s good practice to request a consultation with the dentist and their team. This gives you a chance to ask questions about their treatment options and approach to dental care, as well as discuss costs and insurance.
Tour the Facilities
Call the dentist’s office to see if you and your child can come in for a tour. This should tell you immediately whether the practice is kid-friendly or not.Some offices that call themselves kid-friendly aren’t geared specifically toward kids. Instead, their office looks like any other dentist office and treat patients of all ages.
Pediatric Walker Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best
Although most people may think of walkers as a tool for the elderly, they can provide excellent mobility assistance for people of all ages. Specifically, children and teens living with disabilities or recovering from illnesses utilize walkers to safely and easily move through the world.
Pediatric walkers are designed somewhat differently than those made for adults. In addition to coming in smaller sizes and bright colors, pediatric walkers often include advanced adjustability to better accommodate growth and changing needs over time.
Who Uses Pediatric Walkers and Gait Trainers?
Because the human body functions best when it’s upright and able to bear weight when walking or standing, these are activities you want to encourage your children to perform on a regular, daily basis. When children need help with standing or walking due to any number of disorders, conditions, and disabilities, it’s important to provide them with supportive devices like walkers and gait trainers so they can enjoy the multiple health benefits upright mobility offers.
Children who aren’t walking unassisted by the age of 2 or 3 may benefit from the use of a walker, as long as they can walk with handheld support. Any ambulatory kids who need to strengthen leg muscles, or need help with alignment, stride, cadence, and step length can also find great developmental assistance with a walker or gait trainer
Walkers vs Gait Trainers: What’s the difference?
Walkers, also known as rolling walkers, walking frames, rollators, and standard walkers, are also sometimes referred to as gait trainers. While they may offer similar features, walkers and gait trainers are used for different stages of walking ability, especially when they’re used by children and teens.
How to Choose a Pediatric Dentist
A Lifetime of Oral Health Starts Early
Pediatric dentists are specialists in treating the unique needs of children. A pediatric dentist has completed two to three years of specialty training beyond dental school. He or she limits the practice to treating the oral health needs of infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.
Choosing a pediatric practice to trust with the health and beauty of your child’s smile is an important decision. Making a positive first impression at the dentist can influence children’s view of dentistry for the rest of their lives, so it’s important to make sure your child is comfortable with the doctor and staff.
Consider education and experience.
Once you have a list of a few pediatric dentists, do a little research. Find out about their educational background, where they went to school, and what kinds of continuing education or specialty training they’ve had. Dr. Tam and Dr. Cottrell are both board-certified pediatric dentists with more than 30 years of combined experience. They have completed an additional two years of post-doctoral training in the recognition and treatment of children’s dental services. This specialty education includes child psychology, behavior guidance, preventive techniques, restorative dentistry, and the treatment of children with special needs. Dr. Speaker is our resident orthodontist that monitors patients during early treatment, and creates straight, beautiful smiles through their teen years into adulthood. Before you set up an appointment, make sure the candidate is a licensed member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This ensures that he or she remains up to date on the newest and most effective clinical procedures.
Make sure your child is comfortable.
It’s very important for your child to feel comfortable with the pediatric dentist. Does the doctor have a pleasant chairside manner? Do you feel like he or she really pays attention to your concerns? Is the staff friendly and helpful? Does the office have a fun atmosphere that your child enjoys? Take all this into consideration when choosing a pediatric dental office.
Ask questions.
During your initial consultation, don’t be afraid to ask questions. After all, that’s why you’re there! It’s important for you to understand every aspect of your child’s dental health and the available treatment options. The more informed you are about your child’s dental health, the better decisions you will be able to make.