Your Child's Dentist—A Cornerstone of Their Health and Well-Being
Too often, we think of oral health as separate from one's overall health. In reality, the health of our teeth and gums is absolutely intertwined with the rest of our body. Your mouth is the main entrance to the body. Gums and teeth are linked to the digestive, nervous, endocrine, lymphatic and skeletal systems and the bloodstream. And they share the harmful organisms that cause disease.
The first comprehensive study on the nation's oral health released recently by the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General calls dental and oral diseases a "silent epidemic," even in children. The report states that more than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related illness. In fact, a recent study pointed to dental care as the most prevalent unmet health need among American children.
A dentist is so important to the health and well-being of your child. He or she is an expert in diagnosing and treating specific conditions of your child's teeth, gums and upper jaw and face—conditions that can impact overall health. Most important, your child's dentist can help you prevent damaging and costly oral health problems from occurring in the first place.
The Secrets to Finding the Best Pediatric Dentist
Qualifications
When you want to find the best pediatric dentist, the first thing that you should look for is qualification. A certified pediatric dentist is one that has completed a degree course in pediatric dentistry from an accredited institution. Since the courses offered in the degree not only revolve around hospital dentistry, there is some learning on pediatrics involved, more so on orofacial development, behavioral study and some child psychology.
Besides the academic credentials, the best pediatric dentist should be licensed by the state board. This is usually the state approval that certifies the pediatric dentist has all the qualities and skills needed in the profession.
Excellent Dental Care
The best pediatric dentist provides basic dental health care to your children. They address anything from the common problems of cavities and weak gums, right down to cosmetic dentistry, where some realignment procedures need to be taken to readjust the teeth to their natural shape.
Cutting Edge of Technology
On the other hand, children's dentistry uses only modern technologies. The latest x-rays, for example, are less radioactive: up to 80% less radiation. These new mechanisms are environmentally friendly and do not require time to visualize the results. Everything is done fast, so that the child and his parent are able to sooner leave the place.
Laser technologies are also widely used in modern dentistry for children. The main reason is the fast and exact results. There is nothing more precise than a tiny beam of light that interacts with only the unhealthy area. This method is ideal for gums treatment. Beside this, the laser technology do not produce that unpleasant drilling sound that is always associated with a dentistry procedure and pain.
A modern pediatric dental care clinic also has its own web site. There you can find everything about the staff working in, the services it provides with and many other useful information. There might be web pages and for children. It will create a positive attitude even before coming to the clinic.
Child-Focused Dentist and Staff
The best pediatric dentist is always smiling. His or her kindness is present even before the child enters the dentist's chair. The first minutes of getting to know the patient are very important. The best pediatric dentist will use them to become a friend of your small and sensitive human. It is important to have your child's trust. The best pediatric dentist knows this.
And of course the best pediatric dentist knows his or her job perfectly. He or she is able to work in stressful situations, when a child becomes nervous and begins to move inappropriately. He or she is patient and has a well developed emotional intelligence. The best pediatric dentist is a good psychologist and a master of his or her hands. Only then can we truly call him or her the best pediatric dentist.
Here is a quick checklist summary of important factors to look for and consider when choosing the best pediatric dentist:
• Is the pediatric dentist a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association?
• Does the pediatric dentist keep current through continuing education classes and/or attendance at conferences, seminars, etc.?
• Does the pediatric dentist's professional/personal manner put you and your child at ease?
• Is the staff friendly, knowledgeable and quick in addressing your child's needs and your concerns?
• Is the dental office child-centric? (Do they offer child-sized furniture and instruments, decorations, handouts, entertainment/distraction options for children of different ages, etc?)
• What is the practice's policy on parents staying with their children during treatment? (Some pediatric dental offices require parents to accompany their children in order to educate parents and help reassure nervous children. Other offices encourage children to return for treatment on their own in order for the pediatric dental team to focus exclusively on the child and begin building a sense of trust right away.) What policy makes you and your child most comfortable?
• Does the office use state-of-the-art technology which ensures the utmost infection control methods and cleanliness?
• Does the office use digital x-rays to allow for minimal radiation exposure and non-chemical processing?
• Does the practice accept your dental insurance?
• Were you properly informed about your child's tooth development and given prevention and at-home dental care education?
• Were your questions and concerns (and those of your child) treated with respect and sensitivity and answered in an age-appropriate, reassuring manner?
Nurturing a positive relationship with your pediatric dentist will teach your child that dentists are the "good guys" and that going to their office is a fun adventure to look forward to. Getting off on the right foot is more likely to lead to better overall oral hygiene habits for your child and she will be more willing to make regular visits a natural part of her adult life.
Too often, we think of oral health as separate from one's overall health. In reality, the health of our teeth and gums is absolutely intertwined with the rest of our body. Your mouth is the main entrance to the body. Gums and teeth are linked to the digestive, nervous, endocrine, lymphatic and skeletal systems and the bloodstream. And they share the harmful organisms that cause disease.
The first comprehensive study on the nation's oral health released recently by the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General calls dental and oral diseases a "silent epidemic," even in children. The report states that more than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related illness. In fact, a recent study pointed to dental care as the most prevalent unmet health need among American children.
A dentist is so important to the health and well-being of your child. He or she is an expert in diagnosing and treating specific conditions of your child's teeth, gums and upper jaw and face—conditions that can impact overall health. Most important, your child's dentist can help you prevent damaging and costly oral health problems from occurring in the first place.
The Secrets to Finding the Best Pediatric Dentist
Qualifications
When you want to find the best pediatric dentist, the first thing that you should look for is qualification. A certified pediatric dentist is one that has completed a degree course in pediatric dentistry from an accredited institution. Since the courses offered in the degree not only revolve around hospital dentistry, there is some learning on pediatrics involved, more so on orofacial development, behavioral study and some child psychology.
Besides the academic credentials, the best pediatric dentist should be licensed by the state board. This is usually the state approval that certifies the pediatric dentist has all the qualities and skills needed in the profession.
Excellent Dental Care
The best pediatric dentist provides basic dental health care to your children. They address anything from the common problems of cavities and weak gums, right down to cosmetic dentistry, where some realignment procedures need to be taken to readjust the teeth to their natural shape.
Cutting Edge of Technology
On the other hand, children's dentistry uses only modern technologies. The latest x-rays, for example, are less radioactive: up to 80% less radiation. These new mechanisms are environmentally friendly and do not require time to visualize the results. Everything is done fast, so that the child and his parent are able to sooner leave the place.
Laser technologies are also widely used in modern dentistry for children. The main reason is the fast and exact results. There is nothing more precise than a tiny beam of light that interacts with only the unhealthy area. This method is ideal for gums treatment. Beside this, the laser technology do not produce that unpleasant drilling sound that is always associated with a dentistry procedure and pain.
A modern pediatric dental care clinic also has its own web site. There you can find everything about the staff working in, the services it provides with and many other useful information. There might be web pages and for children. It will create a positive attitude even before coming to the clinic.
Child-Focused Dentist and Staff
The best pediatric dentist is always smiling. His or her kindness is present even before the child enters the dentist's chair. The first minutes of getting to know the patient are very important. The best pediatric dentist will use them to become a friend of your small and sensitive human. It is important to have your child's trust. The best pediatric dentist knows this.
And of course the best pediatric dentist knows his or her job perfectly. He or she is able to work in stressful situations, when a child becomes nervous and begins to move inappropriately. He or she is patient and has a well developed emotional intelligence. The best pediatric dentist is a good psychologist and a master of his or her hands. Only then can we truly call him or her the best pediatric dentist.
Here is a quick checklist summary of important factors to look for and consider when choosing the best pediatric dentist:
• Is the pediatric dentist a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association?
• Does the pediatric dentist keep current through continuing education classes and/or attendance at conferences, seminars, etc.?
• Does the pediatric dentist's professional/personal manner put you and your child at ease?
• Is the staff friendly, knowledgeable and quick in addressing your child's needs and your concerns?
• Is the dental office child-centric? (Do they offer child-sized furniture and instruments, decorations, handouts, entertainment/distraction options for children of different ages, etc?)
• What is the practice's policy on parents staying with their children during treatment? (Some pediatric dental offices require parents to accompany their children in order to educate parents and help reassure nervous children. Other offices encourage children to return for treatment on their own in order for the pediatric dental team to focus exclusively on the child and begin building a sense of trust right away.) What policy makes you and your child most comfortable?
• Does the office use state-of-the-art technology which ensures the utmost infection control methods and cleanliness?
• Does the office use digital x-rays to allow for minimal radiation exposure and non-chemical processing?
• Does the practice accept your dental insurance?
• Were you properly informed about your child's tooth development and given prevention and at-home dental care education?
• Were your questions and concerns (and those of your child) treated with respect and sensitivity and answered in an age-appropriate, reassuring manner?
Nurturing a positive relationship with your pediatric dentist will teach your child that dentists are the "good guys" and that going to their office is a fun adventure to look forward to. Getting off on the right foot is more likely to lead to better overall oral hygiene habits for your child and she will be more willing to make regular visits a natural part of her adult life.
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