Medical & Health Tips & Tricks

As we all know, an appointment with the dentist can be a scary experience for a child. The tools, smell and sight of a person wearing a mask and leaning over can create a phobia for the child. Any wrong choice could make your child’s first dental experience traumatic, and it can be something that he or she would carry with them for a very long time. It definitely has to be someone knowledgeable, but beyond that, you want to pick someone that’s going to have a right attitude and be able to get along well with your child.

Qualification

Pediatric dentists are specially trained in the care of children’s teeth. Some of these professional dentists have attended school for an extra two years to study child psychology, orthodontic, speech therapy along with preventive care. Selecting a dentist that has undergone these additional two years can be very beneficial to your child. By choosing such, you are assured that your child will receive the best preventive oral care. Moreover, it is crucial as well to choose a dentist who has sufficiently worked with children in the past.

Background check

Any pediatric practitioner should be experienced in general. Of course, being excellent with kids is a useful feature, but it does not help your child’s dental problems if they are not also good at their job. Look up their history before choosing a practitioner. Most have it posted on their website, including the number of years spent in school, as well as memberships to any impressive societies or clubs. You can also check their history on public records sites, which should point out whether there are any lawsuits or legal problems involving past patients.

Tools and Equipment

Make sure you check out the tools and equipment the dentist uses to perform dental procedures. It should be small, just as a child’s mouth is smaller than an adult’s. Also, ensure that the dentist is using the latest and modern tools and equipment too.

Kid-friendly

A dentist who is friendly and approachable can immediately hit it off with your child. An amiable character will make both the child and parent feel at ease when entering the office. It is necessary to be comfortable and at ease particularly for children who fear visits to dental clinics. Many dentists who have a wide range of experience with children usually have soothing voices, gentle touch, friendly smiles and a pocket of tricks that make every dental experience less scary.

It is more advisable if you prefer a dentist who spends the extra few minutes explaining to your child what they are doing to appease any fear that your child may have. Additionally, take a look around the office. It should be kid-friendly, warm and inviting; the staff should be the same. In order for the child to feel more comfortable, the office should have books, games, kid-sized furniture and children’s television shows on.

Summary

A majority of kids are less thrilled with dentists, so it takes certain perks to get them excited about appointments, or at least tolerant. Consider a dentist who focuses on preventing cavities, which educates your child on how to floss and brush correctly. And more importantly, select the one who explains good oral hygiene in ways that kids can easily understand.

Tags: Factors to Consider When Selecting Your Child's Dentist