Good oral hygiene and healthy teeth are incredibly important and it’s equally important to start those habits at an early age. If you want your children to respect their dental health, it’s important to make sure that their early experiences with a dentist are positive ones. That’s why you should do your research and take the time to find a good pediatric dentist. Not only will your dentist, like Asha Dental, educate your child about dental health but they can build a relationship that will instill those values in your child for a lifetime. Here are seven important qualifications to consider when choosing a pediatric dentist:
Check Out Your Dentist’s Credentials
When choosing your child’s pediatric dentist, check out his credentials and qualifications as a dentist. Where did he go to school? How many years of experience does he have? Reach out to the university where he got his education and ask questions about their programs. Don’t be afraid to ask about any specialized training he may have as well as memberships in professional organizations. And if you’re looking for a reliable dentist, book your appointment with this childrens dentist in Vienna that comes highly recommended.
Good Recommendations
One of the best sources of information about your prospective dentist, like Family Dental Station, will be other parents who use him. Ask around! Talk to your nanny or childcare provider and find out who they are using or know of. Ask parents where their children go and if the experience is a positive one for them. Ask about the personality of the dentist and if they’ve had good and/or bad experiences and ask them to include details. Finally, consult with your pediatrician. As a medical professional, he may be privy to information that others might not and can make an educated recommendation without bias.
A Gentle, Caring Nature
Remember that early experiences with a dentist can either instill a respect for dentistry or a fear of it. Don’t be afraid to set up a consultation with the dentist and ask questions. Introduce your child and allow them to have a conversation that is casual and outside of the dental chair at first so the dentist is familiar. This is an extremely important choice that can affect your child for a lifetime so try to meet with more than one pediatric dentist. Look for qualities such as a gentle, caring nature, a pleasant smile, and a sense of humor. Look around the practice when you’re waiting – is it child friendly? Are there toys and books and other signs that your pediatric dentist has a passion for children? Is the room clean and tidy? All of these things will help to make the experience pleasant and positive for your child.
Make Sure He’s Knowledgeable
A pediatric dentist receives specialized training beyond that of a regular dentist. He should easily recognize signs of childhood issues such as teeth grinding and thumb sucking. Ask about his professional development opportunities that allow him to be educated in the latest and most up-to-date research.
Does He Educate Your Child about Dental Health
A pediatric dentist wears many hats and among them is an educator. It is his job to have conversations with your child about the importance of taking care of your teeth and the importance of a good diet. It is important that your dentist talk to your child at their level. A good pediatric dentist will be able to comfort your child and explain exactly what is happening in a manner that they can easily understand. Your child will listen to his dentist’s advice because he will respect him as an authority. Ask your dentist to recommend good habits such as eating healthy snacks and drinking plenty of milk.
A Passion for Dentistry
An excellent pediatric dentist will love the field of dentistry and have that passion on display for everyone to see. Videos in the waiting room should be kid-friendly with positive messages about proper dental health. Books and pamphlets promoting positive dental habits should be readily available. Puppets and other kid-friendly toys that are geared towards dentistry should be available for children to handle and play with. And, because it is a pediatric office, make sure that the environment is kid-friendly and safe – corners that are padded, socket covers on the electrical outlets, hand sanitizer, etc.
Is He Available during Emergencies?
One of the most frightening experiences in the world, especially for a child, is a dental emergency. A broken tooth or a bad toothache can be a miserable experience. What are your dentist’s emergency procedures? Is he on call or does he refer to another dentist? Does the office accept walk-ins for emergencies? Will your child be able to rely on his dentist to see him through an emergency safely?
These are all certainly important qualifications that you will want to see in your child’s pediatric dentist. Obviously, you will want to do plenty of research prior to meeting the dentist and schedule a consultation before your child is every alone with him for the first time in the chair. The American Dental Association recommends that your child’s first visit occur when the first tooth appears and continue regularly after that. The appearance, placement and care of baby teeth can directly affect your child’s permanent teeth. The level of importance and trust that he learns about good dental health will stay with him for a lifetime, just like his set of adult teeth.
Please visit Wagga Wagga Dentist and allow us to answer any questions or schedule a complimentary consultation visit. Our professional and friendly staff will gladly answer any questions you may have.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
Speak Your Mind