WHY A PEDIATRIC DENTIST?
Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. This dental specialty focuses on the oral health and unique needs of young people from infancy to adolescence. After completing a dental school curriculum, two to three additional years of rigorous training are required to become a pediatric dentist. Through study and hands-on experience, the pediatric dentist is able to treat children of all ages, regardless of medical history or dental treatment needs. The specialty stresses the growth and development of the child and their relationship with the child's oral health. Pediatric dentists are trained in providing dental treatment utilizing various treatment modalities, such as behavior management techniques, conscious sedation, and general anesthesia.
Good oral health is an important part of total health. Establishing us as your child's "Dental Home" provides us the opportunity to implement preventive dental health habits that keep a child free from dental and oral disease. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend the establishment of a "Dental Home" at age 1. We focus on prevention, early detection and treatment of dental diseases, and keep current on the latest advances in dentistry for children. Diet is carefully reviewed at each visit, to ensure that healthy habits are maintained as they play such an important role in oral health.
Pleasant visits to the dental office promote the establishment of trust and confidence in your child that will last a lifetime. Our goal is to help all children feel good about visiting the dentist and teach them how to care for their teeth. We spend the time necessary to allow our little patients to become comfortable with us. Each child is unique and our approach will cater to your child's needs.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
We want your child's first visit to our office to be as pleasant as possible. Often, parents and children do not know what to expect; therefore, it is not unusual for both parents and children to be a little apprehensive about the first dental visit. We'd like to let you how we do things ahead of time, so that your first visit will be a little more relaxed.
At the initial visit, our goal is to introduce our practice to your child in a fun, non-threatening manner. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive exam and to address any special concerns that you may have. At your child's first visit, we will review your child's medical history, and consider any special circumstances. Preventive dental care is a key part of our philosophy, so aside from a thorough cleaning and fluoride application, we emphasize proper brushing and flossing technique as well as extensive diet counseling. As part of our examination, we often take cavity-detecting x-rays and occasionally other radiographs to evaluate the health and growth of your child's teeth. We will discuss all findings and future needs with you.
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR CHILD:
We understand that a visit to the dentist can be frightening for some children, but we avoid and conquer most dental fears through patience, empathy and education. But we cannot do it alone. Your role as a parent is essential in preparing your child for their dental visit.
We encourage you to frame their upcoming visit to the dentist as a positive experience. For example, a simple statement the night before might include, "Tomorrow we are going to meet your new dentist. She really likes children and will count your teeth and check out your bright smile." Let your child know that we will explain all procedures and will answer all of his or her questions. We will introduce the equipment we may be using, such as the "tooth counter" (dental explorer), "tiny tooth mirror" (mouth mirror), "Sunshine" (dental light) and "Mr. Thirsty" (mouth suction). To help ensure a positive experience for your child, please avoid discussing any negative dental experiences or anxiety that you may have. Avoid fearful phrases and anxiety producing words such as "it won't hurt", "I won't let the doctor hurt you", "shot", "drill" or "needle". Children can easily pick up on their parents' anxiety and express it as their own. You can let your child know that you will be with them during their first visit - it may help them to know that you will by their side.
We aim to deliver the best dental care we can in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any special concerns or if there is something in particular we can do to make your child as comfortable as possible.
We look forward to meeting you and your child!