Around one in six children aged 6 to 11 years old have cavities, which shows how important regular dental checkups are for your little ones.
Not all dentists are created equal, so parents must be vigilant in their search for a reputable one. But if you’ve never dealt with a pediatric dentist before, it’s difficult knowing where to start your search. Maybe that’s why you’re here; you want to find a great dentist for your child and need a nudge in the right direction.
Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s how to find the best dentist for kids in Chicago.
Ask for Recommendations
Start searching for the top dentist in Chicago by reaching out to your network. Ask friends and family members with kids whether they could give you any recommendations. The beauty is that your loved ones will be honest and will only recommend a dentist if their children are comfortable going there.
Parents should also ask their child’s pediatrician about child-friendly dentists because they often have a wealth of local resources. Remember, your child’s doctor understands their developmental and health issues, so they’ll have your kid’s best interest at heart. Plus, the pediatrician will only recommend dentists who relieve their patient’s anxiety, which is crucial if your kid is nervous about visiting the dentist.
Visit a Dental School
No, not to hire a budding dentist for your little one, but the staff could guide you in the right direction. Many dental schools know the industry inside-out and will have a network of highly skilled pediatric dentists. As a result, you’ll leave with a list of great dentists in the area that you can contact.
Read Online Reviews
Another useful tip is to get on Google and look for the best dentist in Chicago (and your area), so you get the top search results. Narrow the list by only researching practices with a minimum of four stars as it shows that they’re reputable. Spend time reading through patient reviews and avoid practices that have reoccurring negative comments because that’s a potential red flag.
Consider the Practice’s Location
In your search for a Chicago kids dentist, factoring in the location is essential. Ideally, the practice should be near your home or your child’s school, so that you don’t have a long commute. Aside from saving money on transport, it’s easier to schedule an appointment with a credible pediatric dentist like Dr. Robert Govoni instead.
Ask About Their Qualifications
The best dentist for children will happily display their qualifications or share them with patients.
Many parents fall into the trap of mixing up family and pediatric dentists, but there are slight differences. The main one is that the latter requires two to three years of extra training so that they can properly tend to children’s dental needs. At Brushin’ on Belmont, our team of pediatric dentists like Dr. Bob and Dr. Monika are experienced at treating children and providing optimal dental care.
Book an Initial Consultation
If you’ve found a potential pediatric practice, it’s wise to book an initial consultation. This will allow you to meet with the dentists and learn about the techniques and tools used. It’ll also let your little one see how they feel in the dentist’s company, which is hopefully at ease.
Further, consider how the dentist acts with your child. Ideally, you want one who will educate you and your child on maintaining good oral hygiene, so you know that your child’s teeth will be properly cared for. For instance, reputable pediatric dentists will give kids a breakdown of how to brush their teeth and tell them which food or drinks to avoid.
Visit the Dental Practice
The best way to see if the dentist is the right fit is by visiting the practice. Take a tour of the office with your child and see how they feel. Ideally, pediatric practices will create a relaxing environment by playing children’s movies in the waiting room and offering a range of toys for kids to play with.
You should also consider how clean the practice is. Check that the team sanitizes the tools and always wears gloves when they’re working for peace of mind. Don’t be afraid to ask about it because you don’t want to take risks regarding your little one’s oral health.
Prepare Questions
A good rule of thumb is to prepare questions for the team.
Start by asking whether the practice is accepting new patients, and how long each dentist has been practicing. If your child has specific needs or suffers from dental anxiety, ask how the dentist will accommodate this. Also, if you’re only free on weekends or after work, find out the practice’s opening times, so it’s easier to schedule an appointment.
Note: Dentists won’t always have time for questions, but they should take your details and contact you when they’re free. Once you’re happy, ask your child whether they’re comfortable going there because they must be part of the decision process.
How to Find the Best Dentist for Kids in Chicago
Now that you’re an expert on finding the best dentist for kids, it’s time to schedule an appointment for your little one.
There are many foolproof ways of finding a reputable pediatric dentist, such as asking your network for recommendations and reading online reviews. Parents should also factor in the dentist’s experience and schedule a tour to help them find the perfect fit.
If you want to schedule a dentist appointment for your little one, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us today at Brushin’ on Belmont to get started.