How To Find The Best Prattville Pediatric Dentistry Practice

By Megan Landry


Pediatric dentists are those which exclusively provide dental care to patients whose ages extend from infancy to the teen years. They offer expert care and advice of the teeth and gums in every stage of childhood. A child should have his or her first dental check-up by the time they are one year old. It's important to choose the best Prattville pediatric dentistry practice in order that this experience will be a positive one.

The child's primary care physician will decide when the first dental visit is needed. The parents must then start their search for the most suitable provider. Like a regular dentist, pediatric dentists offer a full range of oral care options and treatments, but they have also been specifically trained to relate to young patients so they feel comfortable rather than frightened.

Care provided by a pediatric dentist may include dental exams for children of all ages, cavity risk assessment, cleaning and fluoride treatments, repair of damaged teeth and cavities. They can also diagnose conditions of the mouth related to other conditions and make assessments and treatment recommendations for children who will need orthodontics.

Since children do not always cooperate for dental examinations, the special training of pediatric dentists prepares them for this fact and teaches them how to relate to such young patients in a way that will keep them engaged and relaxed while their teeth are checked. They also tend to use equipment that has been specially designed for children to add to the friendly atmosphere of their practice.

A good place to start one's search for a family dentist is to ask others such as friends and family if they can recommend someone they are pleased with Most pediatricians or family doctors will be able to refer patients to a child-friendly dentist as well. Pediatric dentists are those with an additional two years of training past dental school which qualify them for this specialization. It's important to verify any dentist's credentials before arranging an appointment for the child.

Scheduling a consultation with two or three dentists whose credentials check out is the best way to see how well the professional relates to the child and if the child feels comfortable with him or her. The dentist should be pleasant and happy to discuss the child's oral care with the parents or answer any questions they may have, if he or she does not seem willing to do this it's best to consider looking elsewhere.

The dental office should be set up in a way that is warm and inviting with plenty of child-friendly activities such as toys, books, video games, and possibly an aquarium filled with fish. These things can help ease children's natural anxiety and make their wait enjoyable. All staff should be particularly skilled at talking to and dealing with kids.

By observing how the child relates to a particular dentist and the rapport between them, parents should be able to pick the Prattville pediatric dentistry practice that is the best fit. A good dentist is patient and friendly and always explains procedures and dental care to children in a way they can understand and calms their fears.




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