All children should visit a dentist by their first birthday. Finding a good pediatric dentist may mean the difference between a pleasant, successful first experience and an experience that may not be be the greatest. It is important that you find a dentist that takes good care of your child’s teeth while making the visit enjoyable.

Look For a Dentist in Your Area

Gather recommendations from friends, family and your child’s pediatrician. You can also look online to search for “dentists in my area.” Research these dentists online the best you can. Take it a step further and read reviews for each dentist. Many parents want to let others know how good specific dentists are with kids. While you shouldn’t put total trust in the online reviews, using the internet is a very effective way to generate a list of dentists in your area.

If you are looking for a pediatric dentist it’s good to know that they need an additional two years of training over and above a regular general dentist. Make sure you select a pediatric dentist that has the proper training and certification.

Schedule a Consultation

Make plans to meet with a couple of dentists at the top of your list. A consultation should be just that; no work should be done during this visit. Instead, see how the dentist interacts with your child and how your child reacts to the dentist. The dentist should take an interest in your child’s oral health. A pediatric dentist will be more attentive to your child because this is their chosen area of specialty and they get to work with kids all day. The dentist should be warm and friendly and answer any questions that you may have. A good dentist will be happy to take the time to go over oral care with you. If you do not get a good feeling from any of the dentists or feel that they don’t want to take the time for you, cross them off your list.

Check Out the Atmosphere

While at your consultation, take a look around the office. A pediatric dental office will feel different than a regular dental office as it will only be focused on children, complete with kid-friendly books and toys in the waiting room. These aspects help make the experience fun for the child. The office staff should be friendly and approachable, including the receptionist, who will be setting up your appointments.

Whatever dental office your choose for your child make sure you and your child are comfortable with it. It should be a good experience. If you would like a fun, comfortable experience for your child contact us today to schedule an appointment. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.