Did you know that your child should visit a dentist for the first time by the time they reach their first birthday? It’s true! Your child may be due for a dentist’s visit even if they only have a single tooth. But how do you find the right dentist for your child? There are so many options! We’re here to talk about a few things that you should look for when you’re searching for a new children’s dentist in Richmond.

Read on to learn more.

First: Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist Over a General Dentist?

Many new parents intend to take their young children to their normal family dentists. You already have a relationship with your dentist, so why wouldn’t you bring your new member of the family to see them?

While there’s nothing wrong with visiting a family dentist, young children can be better served by a pediatric dentist. A dentist for kids receives extra training (up to three years of extra training!) so they know how to handle child-specific concerns.

They can break down complicated concepts to children to make them less scary. They use child-friendly tools and equipment, and their waiting rooms tend to be bright and fun instead of dull and clinical.

Visiting a pediatric dentist is a great way to avoid future dental anxiety. When your child knows that their local dentist is a friendly face, they won’t have anything to be afraid of!

They’re also able to handle children with special needs more effectively. If you have a child with ADHD, ASD, or any other special need, a pediatric dentist is the obvious choice.

Ask for Recommendations

The first step that you should take when you’re looking for any type of new medical provider for your child is to ask around for recommendations. If you have friends, coworkers, or family members with young children, they’ll be happy to talk to you about their experiences with local dentists.

There’s nothing better than a friend’s experience when it comes to finding the best dentist for your child.

Do Your Online Research

If you can’t find the right pediatric dentist through a friend or family member, don’t worry. Start browsing the web and you’re sure to find a local dentist that can meet your child’s needs.

Look for local dentists in your area and see what comes up. You’ll be shocked at how many dentists there are near you, but how many of them are pediatric dentists?

Once you narrow your options down to only pediatric dentists, it will get a lot easier. Start browsing the profiles of different dentists to check their experience and credentials.

When you’ve narrowed your options down further, start reading online reviews. All medical offices of any type (dentists included) will have plenty of reviews on their Google My Business page.

You want to find a pediatric dentist that has a high star rating and plenty of good written reviews. Make sure that you read the reviews before committing to a specific dentist. Sometimes reviews won’t be relevant to you or your child’s needs, so if you see particular low or high star ratings, read the whole review before passing judgment.

Check Payment and Insurance Options

Before you commit to a pediatric dentist, you want to make sure that they’ll fit into your budget. Even the best dentist won’t be helpful to you if you can’t afford their care.

It’s a good idea to contact your insurance company if you’re unsure as to whether or not the dentist in question is within your plan. You can also call and ask the front desk staff. It’s best to do both to make sure that you don’t miss anything.

If you don’t have dental insurance, check on payment options. You may have to contact the pediatric dentist’s office directly to learn about the average costs of their services and whether they have payment plans available.

Check Treatment Options and Methods

You want a pediatric dentist that can handle a wide variety of dental health issues, but you also want to make sure that they prioritize preventative care.

Preventative care is the care that goes into preventing cavities and tooth decay. This includes routine checkups, routine cleanings, and patient education. Remember that even though your child may still only have their baby teeth (if they have teeth at all), you still need to protect and care for them!

All good pediatric dentists also know how to handle basic restorative care. This means that if your child goes into the office with a cavity, a chipped tooth, or any other dental problem, the dentist should be able to fix it (or refer you to someone else who can).

Some pediatric dentists also offer calming dentistry (or sedation dentistry) for children with special needs or children who struggle with dental anxiety. If this is a concern for you, make sure to ask about it before you set up your first appointment.

Visit In-Person

You can’t know that a dentist is a good fit for sure before you visit them. It’s best to take your child with you.

Go and make your appointment in person if possible. This gives you an opportunity to get a feel for the front desk staff and the overall “vibe” of the dentist’s office. Is it somewhere that your child would feel comfortable?

You want a dentist’s office that’s warm, welcoming, and friendly.

It’s Time to Visit a Children’s Dentist in Richmond

With all of these things in mind, it’s time to find the perfect pediatric dentist for your child! Find the best professional to take care of your child’s dental care so they can grow up with strong and healthy teeth.

Are you looking for a great children’s dentist in Richmond? At Dentistry for Children, our experienced pediatric dental team is here to help. Contact us to set up an appointment today.