Pediatric Dentist?

[poohluvrs]

I have two little ones who need to start dentist visits.

The difference between taking them to my dentist, as opposed to taking them to a pediatric dentist, is obvious - the pediatric dentist costs more (close to $150 per kid initial visit), but they specialize in kids, & the experience may be better w/ the toys/games in the office as opposed to my regular boring dentist.

Anyone who has experienced this, did you take your kids to your own dentist, or seek out a pediatric one?
Thanks for the help!

 

[ducklite]

I always used a pediatric dentist for my son. He was never afraid to go to the dentist, and he's had a lot of major work done.

Anne

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

I'd go with the pediatric one. They make the experience much better for your kids. It's like the difference between using a good photographer and one that employs high-school kids who don't know how to handle a crying two year old.

 

[Bob Slydell]

We take our son to our dentist, who doesn't specialize in pediatrics, but he's wonderful with kids nonetheless. I think it's all about a comfort level with the dentist, pediatric or otherwise.

 

[Christine]

Where I used to live, they have a very big and convenient pediatric dentist and so I took my DD there. We had a great experience. When we moved, there were no pediatric dentists in the area, but we found a dentist who is "good with kids" and gets a lot of the local school kids in there. Both my kids have had GREAT experiences there also.

 

[dental wiz]

If you have access to a pediatric dentist, I would suggest that. Pediatric dentists have 2 or 3 years of specialty training after dental school, and they limit their practice to children through adolescence. They are also excellent if you have a special needs child.

 

[mickeyboat]

I wish I had taken my kids to a pediatric dentist. Emily threw a tantrum at her first visit. When she started to calm down she wanted to ask questions, but the dentist told her she does not talk to children who scream in her chair.

I have since switched dentists, but neither kid does well. They both hate the fluroide treatments. But they have done beautifully when they have had fillings done.

To tell you the truth, I think it is me. The last time DH took the kids to the dentist, they did just fine. I think I have found a new job for him!

Denae

 

[U2_rocks!]

We take our son to our dentist, who doesn't specialize in pediatrics, but he's wonderful with kids nonetheless. I think it's all about a comfort level with the dentist, pediatric or otherwise.

Same here. My kids love her, and have never been afraid of anything in her chair, thanks to her wonderful, calm personality, and her way of explaining everything before she does it, right down to trying things out on their hand or nearby so they can hear/feel it before it goes into their mouth. She is so good, I've never felt that we are missing anything by not going to a pediatric dentist.

 

[clarabelle]

We have a regular dentist that is "good with kids". Our kids do not have complicated dental situations.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

DD (now 20) had a hard time going to the dentist. She was very scared, for whatever reason. We started going to a regular dentist, the father of one of her preschool classmates, and have been going there ever since. I agree that it depends on the dentist. I went to DH's dentist once and asked about how he would handle kids. His response led me to never go back there.

 

[justhat]

My daughter's going for her first dentist visit on Monday and we chose a pediatric dentist. Part of our decision was that her office is filled with Disney stuff (toys, wall decor, etc.) so we knew that our daughter would much prefer seeing all that in an office than adult stuff. Also, her literature discusses how they calm your child, get them comfortable with the dental procedures, etc. Regular dentists didn't say any of that upfront and do not have their offices decorated like Mickey Mouse. Additionally, since all she gets are kid patients, she's very experienced with just kids, as opposed to a regular dentist who sees them occasionally.

I think regular dentists are fine and went to one as a kid, but since we have the option of a pediatic dentist we chose to go with her.

 

[frndofpooh]

We began our DS9 with a pediatric dentist but switched when we found a family dentist that was good with kids. It's a lot more convenient to have us all at one dentist and he provides great family care. He has all of the same stuff the pediatric dentist does (toys and videos for distraction, etc) and I feel like he's really up front and honest with my kids about what he is doing to their teeth - something that was lacking in the peds dentist we used.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We take our son to our dentist, who doesn't specialize in pediatrics, but he's wonderful with kids nonetheless. I think it's all about a comfort level with the dentist, pediatric or otherwise.

Our kids have always seen our dentist and it's gone well. They've never been afraid of going to the dentist, and in fact they enjoy getting their teeth cleaned!

The dentist is the only doctor they see where I usually send them back all by themselves. The kids are that comfortable with him. After the cleanings, I'll go back and touch base with the dentist to ask if he had any concerns about the kids' teeth. So far neither child has had a cavity, so all of their dentist experiences have been positive.

 

[luvtogo12]

I used a pediatric dentist for my kids and he was wonderful. They are older now (17,18 and 11) and have recently switched over to my dentist. I do believe that because of the positive experience they had with the pediatric dentist they have no fears of going to the dentist what so ever. WIsh I could say the same for myself.

 

[Beth76]

My kids go to my dentist. I've been going to him as long as I can remember--we are some of his oldest patients. He's great with my son and my son likes going to the dentist because he gets a toy after each visit. I don't think kids necessarily need to go to a special dentist. Some dentists are perfectly capable of dealing with kids and adults. You can only make that decision based on your own dentist. I'm sure your dentist is able to say whether or not he's comfortable with it too.

The dentist is the only doctor they see where I usually send them back all by themselves.

Me too. I went back the first two times with him and then after that I wait in the waiting room with my younger son. Everyone's comfortable with that. My younger son will start going this summer and of course I'll go back with him at least the first few times and then we'll see how it goes from there.

 

[carone0318]

We took our kids to a pediatric dentist. Dd has great teeth. Ds has my family's teeth. Once he was 4 they were finally able to get in to do x-rays and saw that he required extensive work that needed to be done (3 caps and 3 fillings.) We were fine with the fact that the worked needed to be done, but didn't like the fact that they wanted to knock him out for 3 different visits to do all of the work.

We promptly started talking to other parents to see who they used and found a different Pediatric dentist and switched. He was requiring the same work, but would do it in 1 visit. We have since switched our dd to this dentist also.

Just remember just because they are a pediatric dentist, don't necessarily make them the best. If you don't like what they are saying/doing, look around and find someone else.

 

[ZanneMarie]

I started taking my son to a pediatric dentist. In the begining I really liked the place and the dentist. He had me lay my sons head in his lap and his feet in mine for the first exam so that he felt more comfy than in the big imposing chair with the light--all went well. Well 6 months later at his follow up they wanted him in the chair-fine and they did not want me to be with him. He was not quite 3 years old..I pushed and was 'allowed' to wait in the room with him until the dentist came in and then I left the room--but I did not leave the hall way and I don't think they knew this. He spoke rather roughly to my son because he was whimpering and scared...nothing too terrible but just enough that I was not totally comfortable. Fast Forward to the next check up...I had to literally pull my son out of the car with the promise that I would not leave him alone at any time. When they called him back I told the hygenist that I would be going back with him ...they would not allow it..at all...under any circumstances. We left. The thing that killed me was that they sent me a letter a week or two later saying that they would no longer be able to have my son as a patient...like I did something bad or wrong!! and like I was planning to go back!

He now goes to my dentist and we have not had a single issue and in fact kinda likes to go. So long story to get to the moral...just because they are a peds dentist does not mean that they have a clue about how to deal with kids...especially reluctant ones. Find someone who likes kids and knows how to deal with them specialist or not. If there are major issues a family dentist would probably refer you on to a specialist but for most normal kids a general dentist should be fine.

 

[amarberry]

So far, we have taken our DD to a pediatric dentist. She had a couple of early dental issues so her first visit was when she was about 21 months old. She's seen him 3 times now and I have to say that she is crazy about him. She talks about "Dr. Kyle" all the time which is something she has never done with her pediatrician or allergist. He certainly has a wonderful way with children. Of course, who knows whether that is something that he was taught in his training or if it's just his personality. Either way, I'm sold on the idea of a pediatric dentist.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

we already knew our regular dentist would be just fine with DD - and DD had accompanied us to our visits, so she was already comfortable with her...DD has no problems or issues, so never saw a need for a pediatric dentist.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

I'm 23 and I still go to a pediatric dentist. They told me I am still very welcome there. And I figure that only one of my wisdom teeth is just starting to come in so I am still sort of a kid. They joke with me that I don't have a ring on my finger/I don't have kids of my own so I'm still eligible to see them.

I remember when I was about 8 my mom took me and my brother to her dentist (who she only just started seeing.) He took me into the room by myself and left me there for like 5 minutes. Then he came in with the assistant, didnt say a word, and wanted to start putting instruments in my mouth. I had been to a dentist before and had fillings before that, I wasn't scared at all. But this man was just not good with children. He acted like I was a waste of his time. I was difficult so he recommended us to a pediatric dentist in the area.

The pediatric dentist has a very kid friendly office. (Heck they have a video game in the waiting room!) The chairs are brightly colored and they give you prizes for being good. I remember the first time there they welcomed me and sat me down. They explained all the tools to me and let me feel the toothbrush on my finger. They gave me a mirror to hold so I could watch what they were doing. They also have the widest variety of toothpaste and flouride flavors that I have ever seen! They let you pick every time. They are just so gental and they talk to you. If you have two children going in at once, they make sure the chairs are next to each other so the parent can sit between them. They just make it really hard for a child to be scared.

I just recommend finding a dentist that is good with children. I don't know why my mom ever took us to that other dentist. He was obviously not a people person, and quiet a grouchy man.