Many children, both in their early years and later in life, suffer from dental cavities and complications due to dental problems. According to studies, dental cavities affect roughly 42% of children between the ages of 2 and 11 and a similar number of children between the ages of 6 and 19 who have permanent teeth.

For your child’s dental health, it’s important to choose the right dentist. As a parent, you are aware of the significance of maintaining your child’s oral health. Since children are more likely than adults to experience cavities and other dental problems, it is important to develop a relationship with a reliable and trustworthy pediatric dentist to take care of your child’s dental needs.

But how do you choose the best pediatric dentist for your child? We review the basics of what you should look for when choosing a pediatric dentist for your child.

Pediatric Dentists Vs. Family Dentists

Understanding what a pediatric dentist is and how one differs from the standard family dentist will help you find the best pediatric dentist for your child.

Pediatric dentists and general dentists both address conditions related to dental health, but there are several ways in which they differ. The obvious difference is that a pediatric dentist specializes in treating the dental health of children. General dentists often treat and concentrate solely on adult teeth and adult dental health conditions. While a pediatric dentist, also known as a kids dentist, specializes in addressing children’s teeth, baby teeth, tooth care/habits, and overall dental conditions of children. They are trained and experienced, with the proper tools and knowledge to specifically address children’s dental health. You should choose a pediatric dentist for your child and not a family dentist. 

What are some things you can do before choosing a pediatric dentist for your child?

Ask Friends or Talk to Other Parents

One excellent way to find out about fantastic pediatric dentists is by asking friends or speaking with other parents for a recommendation. Every parent wants to give their kid the best, thus a lot of parents may already have a reliable pediatric dentist in mind. 

You can ask other parents that you trust where they take their child for dental care and pay attention to what they have to say about the service and the dentist. This can assist you in reducing your options, avoiding those with negative reviews from reliable sources, and having a list of solid recommendations that you may further investigate.

Check Qualifications

When choosing a kids dentist for your child, it is crucial to take their areas of specialization into account. Compared to general or family dentists, pediatric dentists are dental experts who have completed additional years of school and have additional training and experience treating children. Pediatric dentists complete a two-year residency program following dental school. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, pediatric dentists are trained in advanced diagnostic and surgical techniques, child psychology and clinical management, oral pathology, child-related pharmacology, radiology, child development, management of oral/facial trauma, care for patients with special needs, conscious sedation, and general anesthesia. Therefore, your options should only include certified pediatric dentists and not regular dentists. Make sure the pediatric dentists you’re looking at have relevant qualifications and credentials. 

Check Reviews

Many companies, including dental offices, let customers post honest reviews on their websites, social pages, and reputable websites like Google. This gives you important knowledge about how the dentist and their staff have handled other patients and what other patients liked and disliked about their visit. If the reviews are largely positive, then it can be a great indicator that it is an excellent dentist for your child. 

Last but not least, reading reviews will enable you to observe how the dentist addresses and responds to negative reviews. This will allow you to perceive an office’s genuine approach to all patients, not just those with positive feedback.

Visit the Office and Schedule a Consultation

Scheduling a consultation can assist you in figuring out whether your children feel at ease with that particular dentist and observing how the staff interacts with you and your child. Bring your child with you to meet the most favorable dentists on your list. During the initial consultation, pay attention to how the dentist spends time getting to know you and your child. 

Take note of how the dentist and staff interact with your children and how they make your child comfortable. A good pediatric dentist will find ways to make treatment enjoyable for your child. They’ll have an uplifting attitude, crack jokes, give amusing names to the tools and equipment, and have your child observe how things are done to gain interest and trust. They may even give rewards or prizes to your child for visiting the office.

Check Insurance Coverage

Comparing dental costs, and insurance coverage, can also help you select the ideal pediatric dentist for your child. Choosing an excellent pediatric dentist is important, but so is finding a dental office that can accommodate your financial needs. 

Ask your insurance company if the dentists on your list are in their network and if they are covered for the kinds of treatment your child needs. Before seeing a dentist, you should confirm that they accept your insurance. If you don’t have insurance or if the dentist is not in your insurance network, speak with the dental office about possible payment options that will meet your needs.

Other Considerations

The office’s location is another important factor to consider. The accessibility of the office is important, especially for emergency dental concerns. You can also assess the dental office’s atmosphere, cleanliness, hygiene, and the attitudes of other patients while you’re there for your initial consultation. You should also think about the office’s service offerings, including if they provide your child with comprehensive dental treatment or just the bare minimum. Ensure that you are well informed about the types of treatment and services they provide and whether or not they emphasize prevention over addressing problems as they arise.

Bay Area Kids Dentist

If you’re in the Bay Area and are trying to find the children’s dentist, check out Bay Area Kids Dentist. We have four locations, all of which are run by board-certified professionals:

• Santa Clara Office
• Sunnyvale Office
• Morgan Hill Office
• Fremont Office 

Through hospitality, education, and dental expertise, Bay Area Kids Dentist is known for giving every patient an outstanding dental experience. We’ll make sure your child is comfortable and cared for throughout their treatment. For more information, contact us today!