Considering that even many adults get intimidated by dental checkups, it is not uncommon for your child to feel scared about seeing a pediatric dentist. Ideally, you should take your baby for the first checkup around his/her first birthday. As the kid grows up, dental checkups are a must once in six months. Finding a pediatric dentist Providence RI doesn’t have to be hard, but the first visit can be a bit overwhelming. In this post, we are sharing more on how to make the most of your appointment.
Explain the experience to your kid
Parents need to ensure that kids don’t associate a dentist’s office with needles, pain, and other unwanted terms. Keep in mind that pediatric dentists are trained in child psychology and have to complete educational requirements beyond standard courses for dentists. In other words, the pediatric dentist knows his job, and you would want the child to step in with a positive experience. Let your kid know that seeing a pediatric dentist is no different than seeing any other physician.
What happens during the first visit?
1. Firstly, the staff members will greet the child and parents. If you have another adult who can accompany you, it could be handy, as you may have to fill out a form. Some clinics have ready questionnaires.
2. Most clinics, at least the top ones, try to reduce the wait time, but there could be a small time when you have to wait for the pediatric dentist to get free. Check if the clinic has games and other things to distract kids.
3. Next, you will meet the pediatric dentist with your kid, and at this point, you can expect the dentist to get friendly with the child. He may ask about oral hygiene and will do a routine checkup.
4. If your child is trying to learn brushing and flossing, the pediatric dentist will share tips for the same and may demonstrate a few things. The dentist may also recommend using certain products.
5. In case there are no unwanted dental or gum concerns, the pediatric dentist will schedule another appointment, typically after a few months. If a line of treatment is required, he may suggest accordingly.
Things to check
As a parent, you may have your concerns with regards to the experience of a pediatric dentist¸ and we would recommend that you check the overall appointment to know better. For instance, did the dentist answer your questions? Was the pediatric dentist friendly with your child? Did your child feel comfortable? Were the staff members good with kids? Did you like the experience at the clinic and the response of the pediatric dentist? It is important to keep the expertise of pediatric dentists in mind. Even if they are talking to kids, they know what it takes to make the appointment a pleasant one.
There are many clinics in Providence that have pediatric dental care, but choose one that stands out and has positive reviews. You can also ask about the background of the pediatric dentist.
