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As of 2020, there were 201,117 practicing dentists in the United States. This large number of dentists can make it difficult to find the perfect dentist for your child. It is important for your child to get the best care so their teeth can develop correctly from a young age. If you are on the hunt for the best dentist for kids in your area, then let us help you out.

Read on to learn more about choosing a dentist to take care of your child’s dental health.

When Is It Time for Your Child to Visit the Dentist?

Many parents are curious as to when they should start taking their child to the dentist. It is good to get your little one into the dentist as soon as their first tooth erupts. This can be as early as six months old.

This first visit will allow you to establish a relationship with a dentist and get the information you need to take care of your child’s dental health. After this initial visit, you can wait until the child is three or four before returning for regular visits, as long as no other issues arise.

If you want to know more about taking your child to the dentist for the first time, then check out our recent blog post on the subject.

General vs. Pediatric Dentistry

Here at Brushin’ on Belmont, we offer both pediatric and general dentistry services. But what is the difference between the two?

Simply put, a general dentist focuses on adult teeth, while a pediatric dentist focuses on children’s teeth. Pediatric dentists have been trained specifically on how to care for the oral health of children. They will also have properly sized dental instruments to fit your child’s smaller mouth.

Finding the Best Dentist for Kids

Finding the right dentist for your child may seem intimidating at first, but with the right tips and tools, you can select the perfect option for your little one. Here are a few things you should do before making your selection.

Ask for Recommendations

Before doing your own research, ask people for recommendations. If you have any friends or family with small children, then they may be able to recommend a pediatric dentist to you. Make sure to ask them how they feel about the dentists, staff, and overall atmosphere of the office.

Check Their Experience

A good pediatric dentist will generally have a lot of experience under their belt. Look out for a dentist that has years of experience, specifically in pediatric dentistry. If a dentist is new to pediatric dentistry, then they may not be comfortable working with children yet, which could cause anxiety in your child.

Read Online Reviews

Once you start searching for dentists in your area, check out their online reviews. If a dentist practice is registered on Google, then you can easily see reviews from past and present patients.

People don’t hold back in their online reviews, so you should be able to get a good feel of how good or bad a practice is based on the experiences of others.

Confirm Credentials

Pediatric dentists have two additional years of education specializing in pediatrics that general dentists do not. Make sure your pediatric dentist has this two year certification in addition to their dental school degree.

Our pediatric dentist, Dr. Bob, went to the College of Dentistry at the University of Illinois in Chicago, where he received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery. His two years of extra education came from the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

Determine Availability

Once you start to narrow down your search, inquire about the availability of the dentist. Because their mouths are always changing, children are more prone to dental emergencies. It is essential to choose a dentist that can be available to help with these emergency situations.

If it takes several days or weeks to get an appointment, then you will end up spending more money taking your child to a different dentist or the emergency room. It is helpful to choose a dentist that has a 24/7 emergency line or answering system so your child can get the help they need as soon as possible.

Compare Costs

It is no secret that dental care is expensive, so it is important to find a dentist that is affordable for your family. You can check with both the dentist office and your insurance company to make sure you are covered under your plan.

Many dentist offices have payment plans you can get on if you aren’t covered by insurance. Make sure to ask the office staff about options such as this.

Visit the Office

Once you have found a family dentist you like, you should plan a trip to the office. Call ahead of time to make sure you can drop in to tour the office. This gives you a chance to take a look at the office and possibly even meet the dentist.

During your visit, asses whether or not the atmosphere is child-friendly. Also, make sure to take note of how close the office is to your house or your child’s school. Will it be convenient to take your child to this location two or more times a year?

Schedule an Appointment Today

With this information, you can find the best dentist for kids in no time. We would love for you to consider Brushin’ on Belmont for your child’s dental needs.

If you are curious about our office or our services, then feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. We’d love to see you in our office soon!