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Taking young children to the dentist can be stressful. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right dentist for your child and taking specific factors into consideration before you make a decision can assuage any fears they may have so that visiting the dentist is a pleasant and fun experience instead of a scary one.
1. Gather Recommendations
Ask friends and family with children whom they trust. Speak to your child’s doctor and get some referrals from him or her on names they recommend. You might even visit the website of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to start a search for children’s dentists in your area. Research those names further through trusted online sources to get opinions from parents of previous patients.
2. Check Their Credentials
All properly trained dentists specializing in children will have undergone a minimum of two additional years of instruction in treating dental issues in young patients from babies to pre-teens. A good children’s dental professional should be able to demonstrate a confident wealth of knowledge in the dental habits that affect children and how to treat them as effectively and pain-free as possible.
3. The Importance of Consultation
Any caring and considerate dentist specializing in treating children will offer a preliminary consultation. The visit won’t be intended for the treatment or even cleaning, but instead, give your child a chance to meet the dentist and get comfortable interacting with him or her. Sometimes gender can be important, so if you have a daughter a female dentist might make her feel more at ease. The same might be said for your son and a male dentist. Only you know how your child might react so keep that in mind.
4. Atmosphere
You want to visit an office that provides a friendly and inviting atmosphere. Bright colors in the waiting room, toys to play with, and a happy, welcoming staff can make all the difference to a child. Some dentists even give out gift bags after each visit, containing a fun toothbrush and toothpaste that the child can call his or her very own. Stickers are also a nice touch. Anything that makes the visit to the dentist an exciting experience will make your child feel more comfortable going on a regular basis.
5. Patient and Educational
Your child’s dentist should display patience and the ability to educate you and your child on all matters pertaining to their dental health. Children have a lot of questions and you likely will as well, the right dentist should be more than willing to explain everything in an easy-to-understand manner.
