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Finding A Family Dentist That You And Your Kids Love

Apr 14, 2017
Finding A Family Dentist That You And Your Kids Love
Finding the right family dentist for you and your kids is a key part of ensuring great oral care for your entire family. You want a dental professional that can meet your needs and offer excellent pediatric care.

Finding the right family dentist for you and your kids is a key part of ensuring great oral care for your entire family. You want a dental professional that can meet your needs and offer excellent pediatric care. With a great dentist, every trip to the office can be a positive experience. This can translate to well-informed parents and kids who are motivated to take care of their teeth. What are the most important things to look for in a good dentist for the whole family?

What Parents Want

When searching for a dental professional to look after your family’s teeth, you want a skilled dentist with whom you have great rapport. There is no substitute for an experienced dentist, someone who can recognize potential problems and inform you of the best treatment options. A family dentist that has worked with adults and kids, including very young children, can understand and respond to the diverse needs of you and your children: losing those first teeth, fluoride needs at all ages and even tooth whitening options. Before making your first appointment, see if the dentist has a website so you can see the experience he has in the biography online. Ask friends and family for referrals and read reviews and research of potential dental practices online in your community.

An individual who you feel comfortable talking to is also important. You want to be able to ask questions and vocalize concerns about everything from healthy snacks to flossing skills. Every trip to the dentist office is not only an opportunity to have a professional evaluate and care for your family’s teeth, but it also is a chance to gain invaluable insight about oral health and preventative care.

Aside from experience and rapport, look for a dental office that is practical. Is the office close to your home? What about availability can you make a next-day appointment for your five-year-old’s cracked tooth? Also inquire about financing. Are there flexible payment options for services that are not covered by dental insurance?

What Kids Want

Children want (and need) a dentist and dental hygienist who are gentle, patient and accustomed to working with kids. Video games in the waiting room and toy prizes after the appointment are great, but kindness is what will help a child feel comfortable and encouraged. Help your kids gain a positive attitude toward dental visits by finding a professional who makes them feel good about taking care of their teeth.