Selecting a pediatric dental home for your family can be difficult, but it’s absolutely necessary. Luckily, we’re here to make that process as simple as possible, and have outlined how to find the perfect dental home for your family.
Find a Dentist Near Your Home
Life is much easier for busy families when they live near their children’s school, doctor’s and dentist’s office. Our Pediatric Dentist Search tool will help you locate a pediatric dental office near your home, and gives you a quick snapshot of the dentists before you have to make a phone call. It makes finding a pediatric dentist simpler than ever before.
Look for a Comfortable Office Setting
Pediatric dental offices seek to foster a fun and inviting environment that is specifically designed for children. Your child’s comfort is one of the most important factors in creating a positive association with visiting the dentist, so we recommend reviewing a dental office’s photos to see if your child will enjoy their visit. Your child will be much more active in their own oral health care if they enjoy visiting their dentist.
Schedule a Stress-Free First Visit
Introducing children to a dentist can be a difficult task for any parent. Kids are usually very nervous to visit the doctor or dentist for the first time for a variety of reasons. Pediatric dentists know this, which is why most offer relaxed “meet and greets” for their first office visit. Before committing to a pediatric dentist, see if you can schedule a stress-free meeting to give your child a chance to see the office up close, and determine their level of comfort.
Ask Important Questions
Every child is different, and each requires specific oral healthcare needs that fit their mouth. Before choosing your family’s pediatric dental home, ask some of these important questions:
-Does your office provide treatment for children with special healthcare needs?
-Are the dentists members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) or the American Dental Association (ADA)?
-How does your dental office manage dental emergencies after hours?
-Does your dental office accept my family’s insurance plan?
These will help you understand more about your potential pediatric dentist, and give you more information before making a decision.
It all Begins with the Right Search Tool
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises that parents establish a dental home for their child before their first tooth emerges, or around the age of 8 – 10 months. Parents can use our Pediatric Dentist locator tool to find a pediatric dentist near them, and help their family achieve oral health success with the expert help of a pediatric dentist.