You understand the importance of having your child’s teeth cared for professionally, but do you know what qualities to look for in a pediatric dentist?
Getting a child comfortable with regular dental visits is key to developing their long-term interest in dental health. To achieve this, you need to consider a dentist’s abilities and demeanor and curb the anxiety many children feel when visiting the office.
Look for these signs when evaluating a pediatric or family dentist for your child.
Are They Qualified?
Like other medical professionals, dentists need specific licenses and qualifications to practice. However, each type of dentistry has different qualifications. Family and cosmetic dentistry, for example, are two separate fields with different skill sets.
Pediatric dentistry is no different. A child’s oral health needs are much different from those of an adult. When fielding candidates for your child’s dentist, inquire about their qualifications and expertise. How many years have they spent working in the field? What are their licenses and certifications? Can you verify their experience independently?
Once you’ve found someone with a background you’re confident in, it’s time to examine other aspects of their practice.
What Services Do They Provide?
Most pediatric dentists will identify themselves with broad terms to attract business. If you don’t ask specific questions, their advertising could leave you with the mistaken impression that they perform all dental services, only to find they provide a more limited selection.
While there’s no accounting for every circumstance, picking a pediatric dentist who provides many of the most common services can save you and your child the stress of having to visit multiple dentists regularly.
Confirm that your family and pediatric dentistry candidates perform these core services before deciding to go forward:
- Teeth cleaning
- Teeth whitening
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Fluoride treatments
- Sealings
- Preventive care
- Sedation dentistry
- Dental implants
- Basic exams
The more services you can get from one dental professional or office, the more convenient it will be for you and the easier it will be on your child.
How Do They Interact With Children?
Think of when you were last sitting in the dentist’s chair. How did your dentist interact with you during the visit, from start to finish? Did they engage in casual conversation? Did they address any questions you asked?
Now try to imagine you’re a child in the same situation. You’re in a strange office as someone uses unfamiliar tools to poke and prod inside your mouth. You might feel anxious, and understandably so.
A friendly dentist will do a lot to make kids feel safe, but how they go about doing so can make a huge difference. A pediatric dentist who is patient and happy to answer a child’s questions about procedures and tools shows you how much they care about creating a safe and comfortable environment for young patients.
Another important aspect is the office itself. While adults may be comfortable with a plain environment while they wait, a quality dentist will make sure the waiting room has a welcoming atmosphere for children. This includes warm, colorful decoration and providing objects like toys and books they can interact with while they wait.
Do They Educate You and Your Child?
It’s not enough for a pediatric dentist to have a wealth of knowledge (though that’s important). The ideal family dentist will want to share their experience with you so that you can better take charge of your child’s oral health.
A dentist will explain things to your child so that they are more comfortable, but they provide parents with know-how because so much of oral health and dental care takes place outside their office.
They’ll make sure you know the best ways to maintain your child’s teeth and how to avoid potential damage. Ultimately, a quality dentist will give you the knowledge you need to keep your child healthy.
What Do Other Customers Say?
In the internet age, you can find reviews for anything, dentists included. Looking at what other customers have to say is a simple way to get many of your questions answered before you ever set foot in the office.
Online reviews can provide a general sense of the care a dentist offers. If the number of reviews is mostly positive, you get a general feeling that they do satisfactory work. Many dental practices also showcase customer reviews on their website. However, if you want a personal opinion, you can always ask if they’ll provide references.
You should come to a point where the opinions you’ve gathered can paint a mostly positive or negative picture. If you can’t, you may need to continue researching or move on to another candidate.
You Can Count On Us
If you’re searching for the most accommodating pediatric and family dentist Santa Barbra has to offer, look no further than our professionals at Mountain Sea and Dental.
Our practice is equipped to serve kids and adults alike and can provide comfortable cleanings, cosmetic dental care, restorative dentistry, and every service in between. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you keep your family’s pearly whites shining.