What to look for in a pediatric dentist

You want the best for your children, and that means the best doctor and dentist in Wilmington, North Carolina. You need a dental practice that has an excellent reputation for taking care of patients, one that understands the needs of children when it comes to their dental care – like Northchase Family Dentistry.

When you are looking for a pediatric dentist, there are a few questions that you can ask to give you a better idea if they are the right dentist for you. It is essential to work with your chosen dentist to build an excellent oral hygiene routine for you and your children. Good habits start to form early in life.

Do They Have Specialist Training?

A pediatric dentist is different from other dentists because they have specific training for them to treat children. Typically they will have 2 or 3 years more training. If you want to get an even more experienced dentist, then look for one who was qualified for a while before deciding to specialize.

The specialist training teaches them how to help a child through the fear and angst that surrounds a dentist’s visit.

Preventative Approach

A proactive approach like that of Northchase Family Dentistry is what you are looking for. Waiting until your child already has a cavity or plaque build-up will cause more issues. A pediatric dentist can spot changes and potential problems before they arise. A dental sealant is one of the many different ways that a dentist can prevent cavities.

Another preventative approach is a fluoride treatment. It makes teeth more resistant to decay, and can even repair very small areas of decay. These two alone can prevent 95% of tooth decay.

Communication

How a dentist communicates with your children will not be forgotten by them for a long time. If they feel intimidated or upset, they will place those bad feelings about going to the dentist. Which will make future trips filled with trepidation. Listen carefully to how your dentist talks to your child, how they explain the processes, and what is going on within the mouth. Treating your child as a friend will make them want to go back.

General Consultation

When a child visits the dentist, a pediatric dentist will make the most of the visit. They will get to know the child, which will prepare them for future visits. Take your child’s lead, and if they relax and chat with the dentist and are receptive, you can take that as a good sign. The first consultation will usually give you as much information as you need to make a decision about your new potential pediatric dentist.

Having great oral hygiene and healthy teeth for life starts early on. So choose a dentist that your children are comfortable with that is receptive to questions and takes the time to answer any questions.

For the Wilmington, North Carolina area Northchase Family Dentistry is ready to talk to you about your dental needs. From that occasional toothache to cleaning or more complex restorative procedures, we are here for you.

Concerning the Coronavirus:

These are difficult times for all. Northchase Family Dentistry is committed to keeping our patients and staff safe.

Until further notice, we would recommend any person in a high-risk group for contracting the virus delay visiting the dentist unless absolutely necessary.

Safety Measures in Place

We have always taken our sterilization and disinfection protocols seriously, and with this virus, have enacted several other measures.

To maximize “social distancing,” our waiting room is still closed. All patients and relatives must wait out in their cars, calling our office when they arrive. We can still only allow patients in the back at this time—we can only make exceptions, if absolutely necessary, for one guardian to accompany very young children or a patient with special needs. We are also restricting how many appointments we make each day, to limit how many people enter the building.

Anyone entering the building must use hand sanitizer. We will be taking your temperature using a touchless thermometer to make sure you do not have a fever. Before treatment, you will be given an antimicrobial mouth rinse to use.

Any patient exhibiting signs of the virus, or who has been around someone who has in the past two weeks, must let us know immediately so that we can reschedule your appointment for a future date when you are likely healthy.

We have several exhaust fans going in the building, removing air. We also have placed air sanitizers in treatment rooms. These units have HEPA filters and also UV lights that are designed to kill airborne viruses (the same type that hospitals use in their operating rooms). We have also installed these UV lights directly to our HVAC units, to treat the air that is circulated through the building. Each night, when everyone has gone home, we fog our building with ozone gas.

Conclusion

We are doing all that we can to ensure our patients’ safety, but we, like everyone else, can not guarantee it. To be around other people is to possibly be exposed to the virus. We do not know when this crisis will end, but we will do all that we can to keep you safe and provide your needed care. If you have any questions or concerns, always feel free to let us know, and stay safe!