One of the top responsibilities you have as a parent is to make sure that your children stay healthy. A big part of that is by ensuring that your child’s dental health is taken care of, and that includes finding a dentist for children here in Utah who’s the best fit for them.
So how do you tell that you’ve found a dentist you can count on to take good care of your child’s oral health? Here are five things the dentist needs to have.
Qualification to practice pediatric dentistry
Kids’ dentists are different from other dentists in that they have additional training needed to practice pediatric dentistry. Before you choose one for your child, you need to verify whether they have the necessary qualifications and certification to treat your child.
All top dentists will be happy to provide proof of their qualifications and their active license to practice. If a dentist seems hesitant to do so, then find someone else.
Stellar customer recommendations
The best way to know that a kids’ dentist is the perfect fit for you is by looking at what other clients are saying about them. Can you find your colleagues, neighbors, or relatives who can recommend a great dentist?
If you can’t, then head online and read reviews from clients who have worked with a specific dentist. You could also ask your potential dentist to give you references from previous satisfied customers. Follow up on these references before making up your mind.
Excellent behavior management skills
A lot of children dread the dentist’s chair, so finding a pediatric dentist who can make your child feel at ease during a visit is essential. If your child is with you during the first visit, observe how the dentist treats them. If the dentist greets you kid with a big, warm smile, then that’s a good sign.
Observe whether their tone of voice is gentle and whether their facial expression is friendly. A pediatric dentist who is aggressively forceful is a no-no.
The perfect location
Choosing a dentist who is located too far from your home is a bad idea. A dentist in the neighborhood would be ideal. This way, you can point out their clinic to your child before the visit as a visual cue every time you pass by, making the child less anxious before their first visit.
A long distance can prolong your kid’s anxiety and provoke negative emotions such as temper tantrums.
Child-friendly equipment
Seasoned pediatric dentists are usually experts when it comes to getting your child super excited about visiting the clinic. They have equipment that provides the right atmosphere for your kids from the time they are in the waiting room to the time they get to the exam chair.
The clinic, for instance, needs to have literature, music, or televisions that can keep your child distracted as they wait to be seen by the dentist or during the exam procedures.
Finding the right dentist for your child can go a long way in setting a good foundation for your child’s dental health for the rest of their lives. By looking at a few key aspects, you can tell whether you’ve found the ideal pediatric dentist for your child.
