It’s important for your child to get the dental care that he or she needs from an early age to ensure excellent dental health for life. A pediatric dentist specializes in treating children, and taking the time to find the best one for your son or daughter will be a worthwhile investment. Here are some top qualities to look for in a pediatric dentist.
Patience
According to Pearl Dental PC, it’s recommended that your child’s first visit to the dentist be around their first birthday. This is typically about six months after the first tooth has erupted, and several other baby teeth should have emerged. It is important that early trips to the dentist are exciting and pleasurable experiences for young children. Because they are so young when starting to visit, patience is paramount. A dentist with a short temper or who’s easily irritated won’t be able to devote the time, attention and compassion that your child deserves. As afraid of the dentist as some adults are, most children will be especially fearful when it comes to sitting in the dentist’s chair and having strange instruments put into their mouths, and a good pediatric dentist will know how to put little ones’ minds more at ease. You’ll also want to choose a patient dentist who will be understanding if your child has difficulty keeping his or her mouth open throughout each examination.
The Ability to Simplify Language
It’s good to choose a knowledgeable dentist, but it’s also important to take your child to a professional who knows how to explain dental terms in language that’s easy to understand. This will also help establish a better sense of trust between your child and the pediatric dentist. Using simple terminology will be especially important if the dentist discovers any problems inside your child’s mouth that require treatment or your child has questions about at-home care.
Willingness to Customize
A one-size-fits-all solution doesn’t work for every child, and having the ability to customize treatments is one of the other top characteristics of a good pediatric dentist. The ability to customize also applies to how your dentist talks to your child about other subjects of interest. For example, the dentist should be just as comfortable discussing princesses and other subjects that generally pertain more to girls as they would be talking about trucks or various subjects that are usually more interesting to boys.
A Kid-Friendly Atmosphere
A pediatric dentist’s office shouldn’t look like your standard dental clinic. The office should be furnished with toys and other kid-friendly themes to let children know that it’s a place for them. The setting should additionally be safe for kids. This will also likely give you greater peace of mind in knowing that you’re taking your child to a dentist who understands the needs and interests of children.
Compassionate Support Staff
Along with the dentist, the other staff members at the office should be friendly and work well with young patients. These qualities are important for the hygienists and dental assistants as well as the front office staff. If the entire support team is friendly and knows how to communicate well with kids, your child will likely feel more at ease even before seeing the dentist.
Finding the right pediatric dentist will go a long way in your child’s long-term dental care. It’s important to look for the qualities that will set the best kids’ dentist for your child apart from other dentists in the field.