It can be hard enough to find a trustworthy dentist for yourself, let alone your child! You want to be absolutely certain that your little one is in good hands for their dental treatment, especially if they’ve chipped a tooth or are experiencing discomfort. But where do you even start? What sorts of things should you consider in making your decision?
Don’t fret! That’s exactly what this list is for. Keep reading so that if a dental disaster strikes, you’re not afraid to pick up the phone and call your child’s pediatric dentist.
#1. Appointment Availability
When panicking about your child’s dental emergency, the last thing you want to do is worry about whether your go-to dental office is open. Many pediatric practices accept same-day appointments for urgent situations, but another availability to look out for is weekend hours. If you end up needing to schedule follow-ups, the process will be a lot less stressful when you don’t have to rearrange your nine-to-five.
#2. Dentist Qualifications
How do you know whether you’re seeing a trustworthy dentist? In the U.S., qualified dentists have a graduate degree in a relevant dental field and are required to complete a certain number of continuing education hours per year (this varies by state). When it comes to finding a reliable emergency dentist for your child, you should also be on the lookout for specialized training in pediatrics. Among these professionals, a board-certified pediatric dentist is pretty much the gold standard!
#3. Sedation Dentistry
If your child gets nervous at the dentist or has special needs, it’s worthwhile to look for a pediatric practice that offers sedation dentistry. Laughing gas is likely the method you’ll see the most, because it’s both effective at relaxing patients and is easy to safely administer. Some offices might have oral conscious sedation available for severe dental anxiety, and a few even have the resources to work with an anesthesiologist for extreme cases.
#4. Child-Friendly Technology
Even if your child doesn’t usually get upset at the idea of visiting their dentist, certain emergency treatments can seem scary. Sedation dentistry is one technologically advanced service that can help them feel safe and comfortable, but there are others that have made modern dentistry much less invasive. All-digital X-rays, for example, eliminate the need for a heavy lead vest, while lasers are gentle on gums and soft oral tissue.
These four factors can definitely help narrow-down your search for a suitable pediatric emergency dentist. Overall, it helps to know what your child’s needs are – after all, your child will be the one in the patient chair! Whoever you choose as your go-to pediatric dentist, make sure be transparent about those needs. Do that, and they’ll be able to help your little one feel comfortable and safe during their dental emergency.
About the Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Bryce Cushing is a board-certified pediatric dentist. He earned his dental degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and completed his pediatric residency at the University of Florida College of Dentistry (nationally recognized as one of the top five pediatric residencies in the U.S.). Dr. Cushing knows that dental emergencies can be distressing for children, which is why he offers sedation dentistry and prioritizes their comfort. To contact his office, call 402-773-7873.