20% of kids aged 5-11 have an untreated decayed tooth. Decayed teeth should never be left untreated. When you have children, it’s important to take care of their teeth now. It’s good to be proactive to set them up with a healthy mouth for life. To get the best dental care, it’s important to find a children’s dentist that fits your needs.
There are a few things that you can look out for during your search. Want to find out what to look for in the best dentist for your kids? Here are a few things to consider.
1. Location
You should always look for a dentist that’s local to you.
It shouldn’t be a far drive for you. In the case of a dental emergency, this is especially important. You want to make sure that you can arrive at the dentist in a reasonable time frame.
It can also add stress to your day if you’re worried about making the appointment on time.
We’re located in Nolensville, TN. We’re near a few schools meaning that it’s easy to get to us when it’s time for an appointment.
Choosing a children’s dentist that is closeby will benefit you and your children.
2. An Understanding of Dental Anxiety
When it’s time for the next trip to the dentist, you want your children to be excited, not scared.
Dental anxiety is very common in children. A pediatric dentist should know how to make the experience less scary.
One way that the dentist can make it less scary for children is by explaining each step and tool. The dentist can show the children the tool and tell them what it does before they use it.
This is just one method of easing the anxiety of your child, and each dentist has their own way of doing it. The important thing here is to make sure that the dentist is keeping your child calm, not making them more nervous.
3. Qualifications and Licenses
A kid’s dentist must be properly qualified and licensed. This is an important thing to check for before choosing one.
There are many requirements for becoming a licensed pediatric dentist.
All types of dentists must go through school and tests to acquire their licenses, but a pediatric dentist usually goes through much more.
This is because to treat a child, they need to have specialized training . A child’s mouth is developing and changing rapidly, so a pediatric dentist has to know how to deal with this.
At Nolensville Pediatric Dentistry, we’re proud to show you the education and memberships that each of our doctors has. All are certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
4. A Variety of Services
Looking into the services of a potential children’s dentist is crucial. You should know if the dental practice does general or specialized care.
A general care practice can cover things like checkups, cavities, and other common issues. If your child needs specialized treatment that they can’t provide, they’ll be able to provide you with a referral to a trusted practice who can.
A specialized dentist (an endodontist, or periodontist) usually specializes in one area. Pediatric dentists are specialized since they exclusively work with children. But they do provide general dental care to children as well.
When looking for a dentist, you should be sure that they offer the services that your children need.
5. Positive Atmosphere
The dentist that you choose should be child-friendly. They might have fun activities to do in the waiting room or fun graphic within the dentist’s office.
An office that has a positive atmosphere will make it easier for your child to feel more comfortable. They’ll be able to relax while coloring a picture or watching a program on a television in the office.
If they have a positive experience, then it’s more likely that they’ll be happy to come back.
6. References or Reviews
When searching for anything, you likely check the reviews. You should do the same when searching for a kid’s dentist.
While reviews should always be taken in moderation, you can get an idea of what the experience is like from them. Look for what other parents are saying and what other children think of the dentist.
If there’s lots of positive feedback, then you can feel confident that the dentist is a good option.
You can also ask the practice if they have any references that you can talk to. They’ll be able to tell you the good and the bad if there’s any.
You should feel confident that the practice will provide the best care. Always look for a dentist with great reviews or referrals.
7. Consultations
A great way to learn more about a dentist is to get a consultation. This will allow you to visit the practice and see first hand what the atmosphere is like.
You should talk to one of the dentists and ask them all your questions and concerns. You can address things like how they approach working with kids and if they take emergencies.
If you’re still feeling confident after the consultation, then you can proceed. The office should provide a great child-friendly atmosphere.
A practice with open doors and communication is a great quality to have.
8. Dentists That Engage With Children
A pediatric dentist should love to work with kids. They should understand how to talk to them and care for them properly.
Sometimes, they might ask the children questions. This could be as simple as “what’s your favorite subject in school?” They know how to relate to them and take their mind off of what could otherwise be a scary appointment.
They may also ask the child to help out by holding tools or giving them other tasks to do. This shows your child that it’s not nearly as scary as it may seem.
A Children’s Dentist That Cares
After this article, you know what to look for in a children’s dentist. Finding one that cares for your child and wants the best for their dental health may seem hard, but it’s easier than you think.
At Nolensville Pediatric Dentistry, we’re ready to prove that we’re the best dentist for your children.
Book an appointment with the best children’s dentist today!