Starting good oral hygiene habits early is key to maintaining your child’s oral health for the rest of their life. One of the most important habits your child can learn is seeing a dentist on a regular basis. Health experts recommend that you start taking your child to the dentist starting as early as their first birthday or six months after their first tooth comes in.
So how do you find a great children’s dentist? We won’t leave you hanging. Read on to learn what you need to do!
1. Ask for Recommendations
The best way to find a fantastic pediatric dentist is to ask around for recommendations from friends and family. Why? There’s no online review that is more trustworthy than the reviews from friends and family members you trust.
Ask your friends and family about their child’s oral health. What issues do they have with their teeth, and what is being done to resolve them? How does their child feel about going to the dentist?
If none of your close friends or family have children, don’t be afraid to ask around at your child’s school, pre-school, or daycare. You can even join a local mom or dad’s group and ask other members for recommendations or call a local dental school to get a list of pediatric dentists!
2. Research Online Reviews
If your quest for pediatric dentist recommendations from people you know is fruitless, you’re not out of options. The second best way to find a good dentist is to scour online reviews.
What’s the best approach to searching online reviews? If you have dental insurance, start by narrowing down your search to the dentists that accept your insurance. Next, search for the dentists on a variety of review sites like Yelp!, Google Reviews, or Health Grades.
Look for trends in the reviews. If the majority of the reviews are consistently positive, then it’s safe to add that dentist to your list of potential candidates. If there are a lot of negative reviews, then you should cross them off your list.
3. Meet with Your Children’s Dentist Candidates
Once you have a handful of candidates, it’s time to check out the dentist and their practice. Start by calling and asking questions about things like the length of time they’ve been practicing and asking the office staff about the dentists’ qualifications.
Schedule a consultation with the dentist of your choice. Don’t be afraid to ask them about philosophy when it comes to practicing, and what course of treatment they’d recommend for your child.
Ultimately, trust your instincts. If a dentist feels right for your child, go with them. Don’t be afraid to walk away from any dentist that makes you uncomfortable, even if they have great reviews and are super qualified!
Ready to Find a Dentist for Your Kid?
Only a children’s dentist can identify oral health issues before they become serious. Seeing a dentist that has plenty of experience working with children is critical to establishing a good level of comfort in the dental chair. With a little research, your child will be well on their way to superior oral health!
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