Happy teeth make for happy kids. That’s why the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests taking your kids to the dentist as soon as their first tooth springs or on their first birthday, says sheknows. Here’s a handy checklist to help you along:
Qualities
You’ll want someone who’s great with kids, who can talk to your kids and put them at ease, who can soothe their anxiety and fears away. Someone patient, knowledgeable about pediatric dentistry and child development fits the bill quite nicely too.
Location
Is the office conveniently located near your home or your children’s school? If the office is too far, then making it to your children’s dental appointments might not be feasible or be inconvenient at best. So try to pick one that’s closer. Anything that takes more than an hour is too far away.
Staff
Were your kids seen promptly? Did they ask for a complete medical and dental history of your kids? If the staff were rude or discourteous in any way, that might not be the best choice for your kids.
Treatment
Was the dentist gentle when examining your children? Did the dentist explain how the problems happened, what treatments are possible and what you can do at home to ensure your children’s dental health improve? If the dentist was discourteous or disrespectful in any way, take that as a red flag and opt for another one.
Experience
Was it a positive one for your children or not? If they came home without any worry or fears of the dentist, then that’s a good visit. If they came home, traumatized from the ordeal, you’ll want to switch to another dentist right away.
Consider these things when you start looking around. You want the best for your kids, after all, so choose your children’s pediatric dentist wisely.
