Choosing a dentist for your child is one of the most challenging yet important things you have to do as a parent. You need to find someone who has what it takes to handle your child in a professional and comforting way. Many factors come into play when choosing a dentist for your child. Here are things you need to do.
Ask for referrals
Ask your friends and relatives who have had an experience with a pediatric dentist for referrals. Talk to a number of people with children so that you have a wide variety of options to choose from. You can visit local community chatting platforms and online review pages to see what people say about the dentist. Do not use the dentist’s website as a determining factor because it is unlikely you will find one who won’t be promoting his or her business.
Qualifications and License
The dentist you choose for the child should have a certification showing that he or she completed a course in pediatric dentistry from a recognized institution. The person must appear on the list of practicing dentists accredited by the Australian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. You can search the name of the dentist at AAPD.org.au or at MouthHealthy.org. The dentist should also display all the certifications and licenses issued by the state department. In most cases, the dentist will pin the documents at the reception area.
The child’s comfort
The comfort of the child should be a priority when you’re searching for the right dentist. The dentist should be in a position to make the child overcome fear and relax. A dentist who greets the child and smiles is better than one who does not. The dentist should have good communication skills to help make the child feel at ease. He or she should explain the treatment procedure in a clear and less-scary way. The dentist must also have treatment options that make the child comfortable. The treatment options may include anesthesia to calm the child and reduce pain, laughing gas to ease tension and an oral sedation to keep the child still during invasive procedures such as filling and tooth extraction. The dentist should also be willing to create a long-time engagement and help you with important tips to keep the dental health of the child in shape.
Schedule an interview
Once you have considered the dentist’s online reputation and academic qualifications, schedule an interview to see for yourself what you are in to. However, you should consider an interview after you have called several dentists and filtered through the list to few individuals. During the interview, ask the dentist the type of procedures he does. Ask the amount he or she is going to charge for the procedure. This is also the time to look at the clinical environment. Determine how clean the clinic is and whether it has enough space for your child to move around. Check whether the dentist and the support staff are wearing gloves or any other protective gear during treatment.
Behavior management skills
Children are often difficult to control. They will run around the clinic and touch everything they come across. It requires someone who is tolerant enough to manage them, especially when they are sick. You do not want to encounter a dentist who is impatient and scolds children in the clinic.
Location
Since children fall sick often, you need a dentist with a clinic near you. You should not spend more than two hours driving to a dentist. Longer distances tend to prolong the anxiety of the child, which can lead to rising tempers.
In the end, you should end up with a dentist who can offer prompt and high-quality services tailored to suit the specific dental needs of your child.