It is recommended that children see their first pediatric dentist or family dentist around the time that they are one year old.
Whether you are a new parent, or you have just moved to an area and would like to find a pediatric dentist, there are some simple steps and guidelines to help you find the perfect one for you and your child.
You will need to think about location of the pediatric dentist, insurance coverage (if you have it), cost, the training and education of the dentist, and also what the office is like.
The best way to find a pediatric dentist in your area is to ask your neighbors or friends who live near you to give you referrals.
They will give you honest feedback on what they like and don't like about their child's dentist.
If you hear positive reports from more than one person about a dentist, this is a clue that they are good.
You just can't get that kind of feedback from the yellow pages.
Next, you need to make sure that any pediatric dentist that you are considering is covered by your dental insurance.
Some plans have a lot of dentists to choose from while others are very limited in their choices.
If you will be paying some or all of the cost out of pocket for the pediatric dentist, you should definitely find out about their payment policies and if they offer payment plans or discounts for people who are paying out of pocket.
Ask the dentist if they are accredited by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
This is a qualification beyond a regular dentist license.
You can also check with your state licensing board to see if there are any negative reviews or problems with the dentist on record.
Then, go to the office and see if it is comfortable for both you and your child.
Is the office staff friendly and helpful?Will you be able to get an appointment when you need it?Do they allow parents in the exam room?How do they handle behavior problems?Do they use anesthesia and what kind? This is an important decision which will have a great impact on your child, so choose carefully.