Is a pediatric dentist really important for a child?

[Jenn Lynn]

I have been calling around today to get DD in to a dentist to look at her teeth (she has discoloring.) There are 2 pediatric dental offices in the area. The first one I called could not get her in until May 29th! The second one could see her next Thursday, May 1st, but I was not impressed with the phone persons attitude.

So I called a family dental practice that one of DH co-workers had recommeded. I asked if they took care of young children often and she said that they did. They also have a female dentist which the others did not. I think this is a plus for DD because sometimes she can be leary of strange men and she hates having her mouth messed with. So I thought maybe a female dentist would have a little easier time with her. Plus they can see her on Wednesday.

I hope this will be good. I hate having to choose new Doctors especially for DD.

Thanks for letting me ramble.

 

[fantasymagic]

I think it's a good idea to start with the female dentist. If dd does fine with her, then you're all set. My dd sees a pediatric dentist because for her first dentist visit, she did horribly. Nothing with the dentist, just her. So we took her to a pediatric dentist. Dentist visits are much better now. But it's really, really hard to get appointments with the pediatric dentist. Both of DSs had no problem with the regular dentist.

So, if the female dentist works out, then you're set. If not, then you have a plan B.

 

[JCarangal]

We tried taking DS (5) to our family dentist when he was a bit younger and it was a catastrophe! He didn't want to go and was intimidated by the whole thing. (despite efforts to make it less intimidating -- having gone with me before to watch a basic cleaning, etc.). So, we had to resort to a pediatric dentist because there was no way he was letting the regular dentist/hygenist even look at his teeth. So, we found a ped. dentist pretty close to us and it has been great -- he is very comfortable going there (and has since had a few teeth filled with no concerns at all). They are very good with the kids -- have game boys in the rooms for the children to play with while they are cleaning the teeth, sunglasses to wear while the teeth are cleaned/examined, a little mirror to hold to see what the dentist is doing, etc.

My opinion is that a pediatric dentist is not necessary unless you have a child who won't cooperate. LOL

Good luck!
JenC

 

[snoopy]

We had the same dilemma, our healthcare plan only had a few participating pediatric dentists, none of which were in our area and all had a long waiting list. I decided to just use the family dentist for my oldest son, which worked out fine. It wasn't until #2 son came along that made me rethink that plan, since #2 DS is like me and hates going to the dentist. I decided to switch to a pediatric dentist, and wait the 2 months for an appointment and drive across town to get there. Best thing I could have done, the kids just adore this dentist, and her office is more geared toward kids. DS #2 actually looks forward to seeing her, which is a miracle in itself considering the first dentist he would panic and cry at the mentioning of his name.

 

[Disney Ella]

I think it depends on the dentist and the child. I took my kids to a pediatric dentist when they were three thinking that a pediatric dentist would be able to relate better to kids who were a little leery of the whole experience. The dentist told me that while I was allowed to go back in the exam room with the kids that time, in the future I would not be. There was no way the kids were going to do that alone. I called around to a couple of places that were just general practices but had female dentists and found our current dentist. She is wonderful with them and I am allowed to stay with them through everything.

 

[Serena]

When the dentist told me my daughter needed four root canals done, and recommended a pediatric dentist, I went to one. I have never been disappoiinted.
I would rather go to someone closer and less expensive, but in my book it's been worth it.
My girls never knew they were getting shots for several years. They had this PH balancing stuff that totally numbed the area before even getting a shot.
They were very good with my girls and my girls have needed lots of work.

 

[SeaSpray]

When we lived in NJ I took DSs to a pediatric dentist. There were video games and other toys in the waiting area and everything was very colorful and geared to children. However, the dentists themselves weren't very compassionate. They were a bit "stern" with the kids, telling them that they "will NOT allow mom to stay if you get upset at all!". At that time, DS was only about 4 or 5 years old. I really didn't care for their attitudes, but we only saw them twice a year, for cleanings, so I didn't worry about it much, and I DID stay in the exam room, way in the corner out of the way, in the back. They were probably used to dealing with uncooperative children all the time, so that made them feel they had to be firm with the kids right from the start, but I didn't like that one bit.

Then we moved to MA and younger DS who was about 6 or 7 at the time fell and chipped a front tooth. I needed a dentist in a hurry so I called SIL who recommended their family dentist. Its six years later and we still LOVE this dentist, and I have never bothered looking for a pediatric dentist.

I really think each dentist, whether its a pediatric dentist or a family dentist, can be very different and its all a matter of personal opinion. I'm not against pediatric dentists at all, we just happened to have one in NJ who I didn't care for, and did find a "regular" dentist that we all love.

 

[peg2001]

I recommend trying the family dentist. When my first DD was 3, I went as far as making an appointment at the highly regarded pediatric dentist in our area. I had heard only wonderful things about their practice, right down to their child-sized dental chairs. The receptionist explained their policy to not allow parents to accompany the child. I asked for an exception because my child was very shy, reserved, and had only just started talking and was not very understandable. My request was denied and I honestly thought she might be traumatized by her first dental visit.

Instead, I canceled that appt and made an appt with a family dentist that a friend recommended. We have been VERY happy with them so far. The chairs are full-sized but everyone from the receptionist to the hygeinists to the dentists are very child friendly. At age 2, my second DD was demanding to get a "turn" in the dentists chair when she accompanied her older sister to an appt.

Good luck,
Peggy

 

[cgcw]

We have always used our family dentist for the kids. The boys (3 & 8) have not had a problem going this route.

DS8 knocked a tooth out when he was 3-4. Our family dentist had to put it back in place and DS did fine with the process. He was very intrigued by the process and even became the dentists "helper" when it was time to listen to for timer to go off indicating the xrays were done. I know a little task, but not to a child. Our dentist became DS's hero for a while -- every time we drove by the office, my son would point it out.

Even before DS3 went for his first cleaning, we noticed one of his front teeth was discoloring. He got to be a big boy that day and have his first visit at the dentist. Surprisingly, he did great. He recently went for his first cleaning and we found he had a cavity. He just recently had it filled and it wasn't a problem. Towards then end of the procedure, he was a little squirmy to get out of the chair but he wasn't at all frightened. DS3 is the one I would have expected to give the dentist/hygenist a hard time as far as sitting that long. It wasn't a problem.

Hope this helps.

 

[RUDisney]

Originally posted by Disney Ella
The dentist told me that while I was allowed to go back in the exam room with the kids that time, in the future I would not be. There was no way the kids were going to do that alone.

This was my experience, too, only my kids didn't speak English when I took my DS to a ped dentist. We have a family dentist.. actually really family, as she is my DH's cousin. She suggested that we take him to the ped dentist because he needed so much work done. The dr would knock him out and fill all of his cavities at once. My DS has a very strong personality and we knew that he'd give us a hard time if Dr. Lisa needed to give him novocaine, etc.

We went for the initial consultation and I had to pay for part of the "surgical procedure" (considered this because of the anesthesia) in advance so he could book the room.

As the day came closer for the procedures, I chickened out. Since he is not our biological child, we didn't have any indication as to how he'd do with the anesthesia. I didn't want to take my perfectly healthy DS to the dentist and come home with a lawsuit.

As Ivan learned to speak English, he was less apprehensive about having things done to him since he could understand what was going to happen. He has his last filling session this Thursday and then his whole mouth will be completed. The work was done in quadrants.

So, my experience is that we love our family dentist and have no qualms about taking our children to her. You need to have a comfort level with the dentist and everything else just falls into place.

Don't you have a dentist for yourself or DH that you can use, or is this the first time one is needed in a new location?

 

[MerryPoppins]

I grew up afraid of dental visits. I had a cranky dentist who didn't have a clue when it came to dealing with frightened children.

As an adult, I started going to the dentist again after a friend opened her practice. I figured I'd be ashamed to kick and scream in front of her. Just kidding! She is very gentle and sweet, so it seemed natural to start taking the kids to her when they came along. They call her Dr. Jamie. She is great with them and takes an interest in what they are doing. She has kids of her own and I think that helps, too. Oh, and she always offered them sunglasses when they were younger, so the light wouldn't hurt their eyes. They liked that.

I guess it all depends on your child and the dentist. I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to send someone to Jamie over a pediatric dentist in our area.

 

[suzannen]

I can't believe so many folks have pediatric dentists that do not allow the parents to be with their children. One of the biggest pluses for my DDs pediatric dentist is that the parents are expected and encouraged to stay throughout the visit, for all visits. Most kids don't follow teeth cleaning instructions as they should so the parents also need to be instructed on proper care existing teeth, of incoming teeth, and be made aware of potential future problems. Except for stepping back from the chair when they do X-rays, they consider the parents presence very important. My DD was so scared of doctors that we went the pediatric route and she absolutely loved the experience. With all of the video games, funny outfits, fun filled sunglasses, toothpastes and toys to take home, she practically feels like she's on a play date. And they've never caused her any pain at all. I know she would instantly be intimidated by the size of an adult dental chair. It really depends on your child and her fear level plus the individual dentist's personality.

 

[Serena]

Our ped dentist doesn't allow parents to be in there either. They've found that the kids are easier to distract and to settle down when mom or dad isn't in there.

Like I said, can you imagine the talent that it takes to give a child a shot in the mouth without them knowing it? For years?

I didn't like it either. But what they do works.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

We have a family dentist who is wonderful with my son. DS has no qualms whatsoever about going to the dentist. That may change when he gets his first cavity though.

Our dentist also has a policy that parents can't accompany their children to the exam room, for the same reasons already stated. After the appointment the dentist comes out and talks to the parent about the exam. Works for me!

 

[Tuffcookie]

For me, going to a pediatric dentist was the way to go. Youngest DS had his tonsils out when he was 2 1/2 and was very hesitant to let anyone look in his mouth again. I tried taking him to the family dentist, who is female, but he still wouldn't cooperate with her. I have been taking him to a pediatric dentist ever since. He has more experience with dealing with kids and DS feels comfortable going there. He still doesn't like to go to the dentist but he knows he will survive! Now DS is in braces and goes to the pediatric dentist and an ortho!

TC

 

[SoonerKate]

Technically, I still go to a pediatric dentist, and I'm 20!

She used to be solely a pediatric/adolescent dentist, but recently became more of a family practice when she started treating adults, too. I still reap the benefits, though -- I don't think I could sit through a teeth cleaning without a gameboy anymore!

 

[Pooh93]

I don't know if there is an advantage or not, but I do know that my childhood experience with a dentist was not pleasant and I was terrified for years. So, I was willing to give dd's the best chance at not being terrified. My pediatric dentist office is very upbeat and yes, they do encourage parents not to go back with the kids. Youngest dd was 3 when I took her and she had a little more stranger anxiety than her older sister did at that age. Anyway, she would not let "that man" (as she called him ) look in her mouth after the cleaning. So, they didn't push her and I had a "talking" to with her before we went again and didn't have that problem. They see it as a fun place...but dd's have been blessed with good teeth and haven't had anything else done but cleanings. They did not take after their mother's teeth!

 

[RobDoc]

If your general dentist is comfortable treating children, in most cases, there will be few problems that would require the services of a Pedodontist.

I do see many children- usually starting about age 3- and really enjoy the relationship, but don't hesitate to refer special concerns to a Pedontic office.

If your child has "normal" occlusion ,no unusual dental problems, no behavioral problems and your family dentist is confortable treating young children, a specialist probably isn't indicated. Otherwise, a Pedodontist may be the best plan for your child. They are certainly equipped and trained to devote 100% attention to the needs of the child.

The final decision lies in doing what is best for your child.

Good Luck!

 

[rbuzzotta]

My girls love the dentist. They can't wait for their next appoinntment. The entire office is totally geared to children.

I grew up petrified of the dentist and sought out a pediatric dentist as soon as DD#1 was 2!! I am so happy with our Pediatric dental practice!!!

PS.....They even took DH last week when his filling fell out!!

 

[Kallison]

I adore our ped dentist. I would go to him if I could. We have all kinds of specialized teeth issues - middle DS missing 5 permanent teeth, all three need braces, oldest ds has discoloration, etc. He is very patient and knowledgeable, he was a professor at Univ. of Penn and has written many, many textbooks, as well as children's books. A very talented man. He went out into my mini-van once to extract my oldest ds who was having a panic attack, I don't see my family dentist doing that.