When it is time for your child's first dental visit, it is advisable to get a kid friendly dentist that keeps the child comfortable and gives them the best experience possible. Ordinarily, getting a good dentist usually takes time, and it is even more challenging to get a kid-friendly dentist. In this article, you will find helpful tips for getting the best dentist for your child.
Finding a kid friendly dentist
The kid friendly dentist's office is usually very different from the dental offices that mainly cater to adult's needs. The following are ways to find a kid-friendly dentist:
Ask for referrals
Parents can start their search by asking their friends, relatives, work colleagues, and neighbors for recommendations. If they have kids, they probably already have a dentist they trust with their child's dental needs. Ask to know why they prefer the dentist, what to expect during the first appointment, and how the dentist and their staff handle children. The assumption is that if they have had a positive experience at the dental office, they will be glad to recommend the dentist and the child will probably have a good time too. The child's doctor can also provide a referral.
Check reviews and testimonials
Search tools are on the internet to find the closest kid-friendly dentist. Some sites offer options to search specifically for dental professionals.
After finding kid-friendly dentists close by, parents can check online for reviews and testimonials from past or present patients. Reviews, feedback, and testimonials are usually available on the dental office's website, social media pages, and online business profiles like Yelp. The reviews provide an overview of what to expect with each office. Check other parent's experience and their opinion on how the dental staff handled their kids. If there are consistent positive reviews, it could be a sign that the dentist is a great service provider. Several negative reviews and complaints are a red flag.
Book a consultation appointment
After making a list of potential dentists for their child, parents need to book a consultation appointment to check out the office for themselves. Most offices make provision for this at no charge. Parents can tour the office, talk to the dental team, check out the office environment, and ask questions as required. No dental procedure will happen during this consultation.
A kid-friendly office environment should have the necessary provisions to make a child comfortable. This means toys, children's books, and fun wall painting. The atmosphere at the office should be entertaining and relaxing, enough to attract the child's attention. Also, the dental office will have smaller tools for kids.
Also, watch out for how the dental team is attending to other kids in the office. It is advisable to visit the office with the child. If the child is worried or fearful about the appointment, a good dentist will reassure and calm the kid.
In conclusion
Finding the right kid friendly dentist who puts your child at ease might take some time, but the effort is usually worth it. The dental professional can set them on the path to a lifetime of good oral health habits.
Request an appointment here: https://drphantastic.com or call Christine Phan, DMD at (310) 675-4929 for an appointment in our Hawthorne office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Kid Friendly Dentist in Hawthorne, CA.
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