Finding a Pediatric Dentist: A Guide for Parents and Guardians

Written on September 10, 2022.

Did you know that dentists recommend that your child should have their first dental appointment by their first birthday? Babies who are due a nap, toddlers that can’t sit still, and nervous school-age children are all just some of the reasons parents can find dental appointments difficult. That’s why it’s so important to find a pediatric dentist with tons of experience.

A good dentist can make all the difference when it comes to family dental visits and the visits will set the tone for how your children will approach future appointments. So, if you’re looking for a kid’s dentist, here are some tips on finding one you’ll want to keep.

Is a Pediatric Dentist the Same as an Adult Dentist?

A pediatric dentist is not the same as an adult dentist. Pediatric dentists go through an additional two to three years of training before getting their qualifications. This additional training allows them to understand how to work with children and properly care for their growing teeth.

You’ll also notice that pediatric dentist offices are often more welcoming for children and families. They may have play areas, toys, and books that your children can use while waiting. This helps to distract your child from anxiety before the appointment begins.

Some of the treatments you can expect from a pediatric dentist include preventative and invasive oral care, treatment of children under anesthesia, and treatment of children with special needs. Your dentist will also be able to identify oral issues for babies, such as tongue tie, tongue thrust, or baby bottle tooth decay.

A pediatric dentist is usually the first to spot any developmental issues with the mouth or jaw because they are used to seeing the ever-changing oral developmental stages of young children.

Finding Your Pediatric Dentist

Finding a pediatric dentist that your family can grow with can make dental appointments a pleasure for both child and parent. However, it isn’t always easy to find what you’re looking for. Here are a few tips for finding pediatric dental services in Auckland.

Get Referrals

One of the best ways to find any service you’re looking for is to get recommendations from family and friends. Ask other parents if they’d recommend their children’s and youths dentists. Most parents will be able to tell you about their experiences and give you inside information that you may not be able to gather yourself after a quick glance at a website or a single visit.

Other parents are also very good at sharing the truth so you can be sure if there’s a negative point about the dentist or the dental practice, you’re bound to hear about it.

Check Reviews

If you’re not able to get recommendations for a dentist, looking at online reviews is the next best thing to do. While reviews aren’t always entirely trustworthy, you can gauge the general consensus about a dental practice by looking at the reviews. If a practice has a large number of good reviews, it’s likely that you’ll have a good experience with them.

Something you should look out for when reading reviews about dental practices is parents’ experiences with their children. If you can see that a child has enjoyed the experience or a parent found the visit easy, it’s worth booking a visit. The goal is to know whether children want to return to their dentist.

Choose Your Dentist

Once you’ve found the perfect practice, you may have another job on your hands. If there are several dentists that all provide the same services, you may want to consider choosing your dentist. For example, older dentists may not provide the gentle and caring persona you’re hoping for.

However, a younger dentist with a family may be more understanding of what children need and how to relax parents. You may be able to visit the dental practice and meet the staff before choosing a dentist.

Community Involvement

Community involvement is a great sign that your dentist cares about the community. A dental practice that is involved in building and strengthening the community it’s in indicates that the dentists truly care about their patients. You may see that your dental practice sponsors a local sports team or provides free oral care for those most in need.

Pediatrics at Northmed Dental Centre

At Northmed Dental Centre, we understand that you’re entrusting your child’s oral care to us. With a highly trained and friendly team, we can offer you the first-class care you’re looking for. With our cutting-edge technology and welcoming atmosphere, your family will feel completely at home at our practice.

We have offices in Northcote and Windsor Park, Auckland and we’re ready to show you around. From your child’s very first appointment, we’ll ensure you have everything you need to feel at ease. Take a look at some of the testimonials from our patients to put your mind at rest.

A Pediatric Dentist You Can Rely On

Knowledge of preventative care and a great way with kids is a must for every pediatric dentist. When you visit us at Northmed Dental Centre, you can be sure that our dentists have all the skills required to provide the best care for your child. Did you know that most under 18’s services are free?