As parents, we want the best for our children—and that includes the best dental treatment. All you have to do is choose a dentist from whom you would like your child to receive treatment, but where do you begin? There are so many providers to choose from, and it’s important to find one who will listen to your child’s concerns, answer all their (and your) questions, offer personalized care, and make them feel comfortable. If you’re not sure where to start in your search for your child’s dentist, Children’s Dental Center is here to help! Let’s explore 3 questions we recommend you ask before choosing your child’s dentist.
Ask to see before-and-after photos
Viewing before-and-after photos will give you vital information about a dentist’s experience and skill level, and it’s important that you begin your dental procedure with the trust and confidence that your chosen office can deliver the results you want. We would be happy to provide before-and-afters upon request for all of our doctors so you can see a comprehensive view of their work and evaluate the results for yourself. When you sit down with us before an appointment, we’ll also be able to show you additional photos that may be relevant to your specific needs and goals. When you’re reviewing before-and-after photos, there are a few key questions to consider, including the following.
Are there enough photos to properly evaluate the work? A couple of blurry examples won’t be enough to form an educated opinion about a dentist’s abilities. Make sure you’re seeing enough before-and-after images that you feel confident in their care!
Are you looking at the dentist’s actual patients? In a practice with more than one doctor, it’s especially important to be certain whose work you’re viewing. We offer photos for all of our doctors, and will be happy to provide a side-by-side for your comparison and evaluation.
Do the final images match the vision you have for your own smile? When you schedule an appointment with us, our doctors will have a conversation with you about your child’s diagnosis, your expectations, and what you can anticipate from the treatment process so you’ll have a realistic and informed view of the outcome.
Ask what dental issues they can treat
There are a surprising number of dental issues that can develop in your child’s mouth, and you want to ensure that your dentist is able to effectively address their specific case with the most effective treatment possible. Our doctors can treat all dental conditions your child may be facing, but below are some of the most common issues which we will screen for at your initial consultation.
Preventive Oral Hygiene & Instruction
This includes proper brushing, flossing, and eating habits, ideal fluoride levels and the use of pit and fissure sealants. We strive to provide a fun, educational environment where children learn about the importance of good dental hygiene, and have years of experience teaching children how to best care for their oral and dental health.
Dentistry
This includes children’s fillings, including treatment of the nursing bottle decay. Our doctors are committed to discussing all options before these procedures and answering all questions you may have. Our first priority is always to help your child be healthier by working towards a healthy smile.
We also provide emergency dentistry services for your child. Children’s Dental Center always has someone on call and we will return your call promptly. Dental emergencies may include:
- A permanent tooth that has been knocked out
- Loose or misaligned permanent teeth due to trauma
- Chipped, cracked, or fractured teeth
- Abscesses
- Broken appliance
- Facial fracture
Although oral issues that don’t require more urgent care can normally be dealt with during regular office hours, you should arrange for your child to visit Children’s Dental Center as soon as possible once a problem has been noted, as delayed treatment can lead to serious complications.
Growth & Development
As pediatric dental specialists, our doctors are experts on the growth and development of children’s dentition, jaws and craniofacial structures. Early growth and development evaluation may provide your child with more positive experience should they need orthodontic treatment from our pediatric dentists. We know that the early recognition and treatment of developing bite problems often minimizes later orthodontic needs.
We tend to avoid regular X-rays until your child begins to transition into permanent dentition (lose their baby teeth). Then, X-rays become necessary to ensure that those permanent teeth are coming in properly. Of course, when we are dealing with developing orthodontic problems, it is necessary to assess the development of the jaw and underlying tooth structures with X-rays as well.
With contemporary safeguards and digital radiography, the amount of radiation received in a dental x-ray examination is extremely small. The risk is negligible. In fact, the dental radiographs represent a far smaller risk than an undetected and untreated dental problem.
Ask about their experience as a dentist
Any dentist you choose should have experience successfully treating patients for a wide range of dental issues. For example, our doctors all have many years of training, education, and experience behind them, and the results to back it up. They’re all known for creating beautiful smiles for children in Germantown, Midtown and East Memphis, Arlington, and the surrounding communities!
Our doctors all attended years of medical school and dental school in order to practice dentistry. They also specialized in pediatric dentistry to be specifically qualified to treat your child’s smile. They have years of experience helping children, and are well known in the community for the excellent results they regularly produce! You can be confident that your child’s smile is in the best possible hands when you choose our expert team for your child’s dental needs.
Ask as many questions as you need to
You should always look for a practice that will answer all the questions you may have when choosing your child’s dentist in order to help you feel confident about your child’s treatment plan. Below are some commonly asked dental questions to get the ball rolling!
- What is the scope of the proposed treatment plan?
- Are there any possible consequences if you choose to not move forward with treatment right now?
- Does the dentist personally do all the work on patients or will some of the work be completed by associates? If so, what is their level of expertise?
- What are the office hours?
- How are treatment costs determined?
- What billing or payment options will be made available to you?
- What insurance plans does the practice accept?
- Will there be any follow-up once treatment is complete?
Remember that the choice of provider is up to you. Don’t settle for a practice you aren’t comfortable with! If the answers you receive from one dentist are not satisfactory, consider continuing your search elsewhere.
Could Children’s Dental Center be the right fit for your child’s smile?
One of the best ways to find the right dentist for your child is to schedule a consultation. This initial visit will generally consist of an initial dental examination and a discussion about the treatment options available to your child. After your consultation, you’ll likely have answers to questions that might help you when choosing your child’s dentist.
Your first appointment will give you a chance to ask any questions you might have and familiarize yourself and your child with the office, too. You’ll also be able to see how the team interacts with patients and each other. This should leave you with a good idea of whether you want to proceed with treatment or not!
Choosing the right dentist for your child is a personal decision that only you and your child can make. You should be prepared to take the time necessary to find one who is a good fit for your child, their smile, and their lifestyle! If you’d like to learn more about how our expert team can give your child a clean, healthy smile they’ll love, get in touch with us today to schedule your initial consultation!