When it comes to your child’s health and wellbeing, you would want nothing but the best. Dentists recommend parents to take their infant for the first dental checkup by the age of 1. From age 4 onwards, your child needs to see a dentist at least once every year. Expectedly, you are looking for the best dental care team, and in this post, we are sharing more on how you can find a pediatric dentistry practice near you.
Pediatric dentistry is a specialty
Yes, you read that right. While all dentists can do a regular checkup, you have to select someone who specializes in pediatric dentistry, and there are clinics that focus on this alone. You have to understand the expertise, experience and background of the dentist, and there is no harm in asking questions. The first appointment with a pediatric dentist is important, because you get a fair idea of what to expect of them as you seek medical expertise. In the US, it is necessary for the dentist to be licensed with American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Comfort is the key
Even adults have a hard time understanding basics of dental care, and all that equipment and tools that dentists use are scary to say the least. Find a clinic that is designed for children and makes them comfortable. Check if they have toys and other activity stuff to keep the child engaged, and whether the staff members are trained to behave around kids. As you step inside the clinic, you can understand how your child is feeling and if the staff is taking care of your little one.
Services
When you look for childrens pediatric dentistry, you need to check everything that the clinic offers. Besides preventive dental care, find out if the clinic can handle emergencies, and if their dentists specialize in restorative dentistry and orthodontic care. As a new patient, you have every right to ask questions and insist on an appointment with the dentist, so that you can ask relevant questions accordingly.
Location and business hours
Traveling for a couple of hours to a pediatric dentistry practice may not be the best idea, which is why the location of the clinic is something worth considering. Find a clinic that’s close to your home, so that your child doesn’t throw a tantrum on a long drive. Business hours is also something you need to consider, because if the window is too short, you may miss out on frequent appointments.
Ask about costs
No matter whether you need orthodontic care, or any other treatment for your kid, you have to ask about the costs. Make sure that you are aware of the treatment plan and how the payments are to be made, given that pediatric dentistry can be a tad more expensive. You don’t want to go to a clinic that’s too expensive or charges way above the market prices.
That said, do not compromise on pediatric dental care for your child and always keep up with regular checkups.
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