Having some tips to effectively find a good, local pediatric dental office can make all the difference when it comes to getting the right care for you and your family. Your efforts will pay off with great oral health care for your kids.
Pediatric dental clinic near me
It is not uncommon for many parents seeking dental treatment or dental services to maintain the oral health of their children to do internet searches for phrases like ‘pediatric dental clinic near me’, ‘children’s dental’, ‘dental care for children’ or ‘pediatric dentists.’
If you are a busy parent, you especially want a pediatric dental clinic that is near you and easy to locate. If for example you live in Miami, your key phrases may be something like ‘pediatric dental clinic near me in Miami FL.’
While these searches can be helpful, there are also some key things to look for in a pediatric dental clinic. One example is the certifications of the pediatric dental office and their staff. You want to ensure that they are board certified.
Additionally, you would also want to ensure that they regularly update their pediatric dentistry practices and are up to date with the current scientific evidence before you schedule an appointment.
Due to the changing scope of pediatric dental practices, it is absolutely essential that the pediatric dental clinic you choose keeps up with the current evidence-based trends in the practice (Shah S, 2017), whether that be with just regular check-ups or with more serious practices such as placing a child under general anesthesia.
Therefore, parents should read reviews and may even want to ask some questions of the clinic regarding how the staff maintain their continuing professional development in addition to searching for ‘pediatric dental clinics near me’ or similar phrases.
Additionally, parents should enquire about how the dental clinics they may be considering collaborate with other disciplines. This is important to ensure they are able to provide children with quality oral health care and that no cookie-cutter treatment measures are used; instead, treatment should be tailored to the needs of each child (Shah S, 2017).
Furthermore, parents should research how the staff make their clinic child-friendly. Unfortunately, a lot of children are afraid of visiting the dentist. However, this can be helped when staff put special effort to make children feel relaxed.
What is pediatric dentistry in Miami? Dental clinic pediatric near me
Going back to the example above, if you live in Miami, you may be questioning what pediatric dentistry looks like in Miami. In general, whether in Miami or elsewhere, staff in a good pediatric dental clinic will provide primary care including comprehensive preventive and therapeutic care for children of all ages (Shah S, 2017).
So, in addition to researching ‘dental clinic for pediatrics near me’ or similar phrases, look for child-friendly clinics that actively seek to ease children and provide comprehensive care for them.
This can include things like a waiting area designed for kids using bright colors and activities to keep them engaged. Many pediatric offices have game consoles or fun toys to keep kids amused and less stressed. You will often find that the office staff are very good at understanding kids and their mental needs when it comes to helping them understand what will happen during their visit.
Why are most little kids afraid of dentists? Pediatric dental clinics near me
It is not uncommon for kids to want to avoid going to the dentist. Some children are especially frightened of their upcoming dental appointment. If your child falls into this category, crying, kicking, and screaming all to avoid visiting the dentist, you might want to take extra measures to reassure your child and it will be imperative to ensure that the clinic you choose is actively child-friendly.
One reason children may not want to visit the dentist can be because of past negative experiences at the dentist. If the staff at the dental clinic you choose are careful about how they treat and interact with children, then your child will most likely feel more at ease.
If on the other hand, staff at dental clinics restrain or yell at children or threaten them in any way, then your child will more likely be afraid of going to the dentist and may throw tantrums to avoid it. Fortunately, there are things parents can do to prepare their children for these visits.
How do you prepare your child for their first visit to the dentist? Pediatric dental clinic near me
To prepare your child for their first visit to the dentist, you can ask the pediatric dentist for effective tips and incorporate them. It’s really about helping your child feel calm and positive about the experience.
One way to do this is to ‘play dentist at home.’ This means role playing what a dentist does and talking through with your child what he or she can expect. This can help children feel at ease and parents can incorporate objects at home like a chair, a mirror, and a toothbrush, to help their children know that there is nothing to fear.
What are dentist tips for a child’s first go-to dentist? Pediatric dental clinics near me
In addition to the above, it is crucial to choose the right pediatric dentist. Although a general or your family dentist can perform a dental check up on you, pediatric dentists are especially trained to help children feel at ease. Pediatric dentists have had additional years of training in the specific needs of children, making them a better fit for child patients.
Additionally, you can read a few children’s books about going to the dentist to your child. When children observe their favorite characters visiting the dentist with smiles on their faces, it can help your child view dentists and the upcoming visit in a positive light.
Below are just some examples that you can choose from, to help your child feel better about their upcoming dental appointment.
The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Brush Brush Brush by Alicia Padron
Show Me Your Smile! A Visit to the Dentist (Dora the Explorer)
Dentist Trip (Peppa Pig)
Elmo Visits the Dentist by P.J. Shaw
Reference:
Shah S. (2017). Paediatric dentistry- novel evolvement. Annals of medicine and surgery (2012), 25, 21–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2017.12.005