PEDODONTIST - DENTISTRY FOR CHILDREN
Dentistry is just like medicine with a variety of specializations and focus on certain types of patients, so it is without question that there are dentists who specialize in treating children. A pediatric dentist (Drs Leal Spangler Johnson) is the right professional to turn to when your children’s developing teeth need special care.
Education Requirements
After dental school, a commitment to two years of residency is required to be considered a pediatric dentist. Those two years are focused on scientific studying and practicing under seasoned professionals caring for children’s teeth. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) lists caring for special need patients, oral and facial trauma care, child development and psychology, sedation and general anesthesia as the main pillars of the residency. As with general dentists and doctors, pediatric dentists are required to continue their education yearly in order to be the most effective at treating and healing patients.
Why Go to a Pediatric Dentist?
A general dentist is trained and able to complete procedures on all types of patients, but pediatric dentists benefit from additional training and special equipment that allows for ideal treatment of patients with special needs. Patients with behavioral issues, infants requiring dental care, and children coping with dental issues as well as mental or physical disabilities are all ideal candidates of pediatric dental care.
A dental visit brings out fearful behavior in well-informed adults, and children are prone to the same anxiety in unfamiliar dental offices. Complicated dental work elicits nervous behavior in the most experienced patients, so a patient with special needs may need the gentle approach of a pediatric dentist.
Pediatric Behavioral Guidance
In lieu of relying on medication to sedate or relax their patients, pediatric dentists often use behavioral guidance techniques to soothe patients’ anxieties, fears and/or pain. Often the specific technique the dentist chooses to use on a specific patient will depend on the parent’s partiality, the child’s emotional state, the child’s ability to comprehend the situation and the child’s dental needs. There are two methods that are used to communicate with nearly all pediatric dentistry patients which include positive reinforcement and the tell-show-do method that explains and demonstrates the method to the child before the procedure. In addition, dentists often change the volume of their voice to a softer, quieter level and change the tone of their voice to a more soothing one. One additional method most dentists can offer is allowing one child to observe another patient undergoing the same treatment to offer a clear idea and build trust.
Choosing The Right Dentist
Parents want the best for their children, especially their children’s health, so choosing the right pediatric dentist is an important part of keeping your child healthy for years to come. There are plenty of dentists to choose from so finding the dentist who is a good fit for you and your family is easy after following a few steps.
The first important question to ask your dentist is if he or she treats children or if he or she has had specialized training in treating children. Take a look around the office to see if the office is prepared for children. Are there games and toys or even kid-sized furniture? Those small touches will give your children a chance to play and relax before their appointments.
The other important issue is the office location and the office’s ability to treat dental emergencies. Does the office have a policy in place for treatment outside regular hours?
If your insurance policy covers your children, you should talk to the office staff about the insurance claim procedures. If you don’t have insurance coverage for your children, you should talk to the office staff about billing and payment options.
Finally using websites with lists of licensed and board certified dentists like the American Dental Association or the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists are great places to start to look for the professional care you and your children deserve.
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