Choosing a Pediatric Dentistry

A pediatric dentist is a dentist that takes care of children from infancy through their teen years when at that time they will switch to a regular dentist. Pediatric dentistry is a specialty that a dentist can choose to specialize in after becoming a licensed dentist. They have to have completed four years of dental school and two more years of residency training in dentistry for infants to teens that have special needs.

Some of the treatments that a pediatric dentistry office might offer can include:

• Oral health exams for infants

• Prevention dental care that includes fluoride treatments, cleanings and diet and nutrient information.

• Counseling for habits such as thumb sucking and pacifier use

• Treatment and early assessment for improper biting correction and teeth straightening

• Repairing defects or tooth cavities

When you are looking for a pediatric dentistry for the first time there are some things that you should look for before you make your choice. To find a good pediatric dentistry you could ask friends and family for a recommendation or you could ask your child’s pediatrician.

• Find a pediatric dentist who is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, or American Dental Association.

• To help you located dental clinics in your area you can use the search tool of American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

• Find a pediatric dentist that will make the dental experience for your child as comfortable as possible, especially if the child is young and this is the first experience visiting a dentist

• When you find a pediatric dentistry schedule a consultation with the dentist before setting an appointment for your child

• During your consultation look around the waiting room and the exam rooms to make an assessment about the ambiance. Is it child friendly? Are there child-sized furniture in the waiting area and does it have a play area?

• Children do get bored easily, especially the younger ones so is there a television where they can watch cartoons. Are there toys, coloring books, etc? The needs of children of all ages should be evident.

• When the child sees a dentist for the first time make sure that the dentist interacts with your child and how your child responds to the dentist and dental assistants. If the child is scared or crying, how do they act?

• Is the parent allowed to go back with the child until the child feels comfortable going on their own.

These are just some of the many things you should look for before selecting a pediatric dentistry.