Besides finding your child a good school, a good doctor, and a good babysitter, you’ve also got to find them a good dentist. When your child is young, he or she has teeth that are a lot more fragile than yours are. They’re more likely to have cavities and fractures, especially if they haven’t learned to brush their teeth well. It’s crucial for children to visit the dentist every six months. Some kids experience tooth pain before even getting to the dentist and the idea of having a stranger poke around in their mouth can be terrifying. Add that to the constant buzzing noises of all the equipment and the sounds of other kids crying, and you’ve probably got yourself one scared child.

 

 

As terrifying as a visit to the dentist may be for a child, it’s necessary to keep their pearly whites clean and healthy. However, you may be able to make the visit to the dentist less painful by choosing a good pediatric dentist in Seattle.

 

Pediatric dentists are quite similar to general dentists. They graduated in dentistry and carry out the same dental tasks. However, they have been specifically trained and certified to work with children, which can make a world of difference in your child’s dental experience. Many of them are even trained to work with kids on the autism spectrum.

 

If you’re in the process of looking for a good pediatric dental clinic in Seattle for your child, here are some things you should be looking for:

 

Qualifications

The first thing you have to look for are qualifications. Anyone you are considering to treat your child’s teeth should have completed training in Pediatric Dentistry from an accredited program.

 

Current license

Besides having completed their courses, they should also have a current license that allows them to legally practice in their location. Professional dental licenses need to be renewed regularly. Most of the time, you’ll be able to find their license displayed in the reception area. If you don’t see it on display, simply ask.

 

Great behavior management skills

A lot of kids, especially those on the spectrum aren’t able to communicate as well and often get distressed in uncomfortable situations. If your child fits this description, it’s even more important that you find a dentist with great behavior management skills. Your child should be able to feel comfortable with the dentist. Pediatric dentists are trained to smile and be warm and welcoming with children. They use soothing tones and do their best to help kids feel relaxed. This may be by playing with some toys with them for the first few minutes, or even showing them how the dentist chair moves up and down so that they aren’t scared when they have to sit on it themselves.

 

Convenient location

Location is always a consideration. You don’t want to travel far out of your way to see the dentist. It’s always better to have a dentist close by. This makes it easy to get to in the case of a dental emergency, and you can even acclimate your child with the clinic before you visit. Try to point out the clinic every time you pass, or even ask the staff if you and your child can have a tour. The more pain-free the journey is, the more relaxed your child will be during his or her own visit.

 

Strong knowledge of dentistry techniques

Of course, your child’s dentist should have a firm foundation in dentistry techniques. A framed license on the wall isn’t enough to determine this. Try asking them to describe how they will perform some basic procedures, and be sure to inquire whether they are comfortable doing more complex procedures as well, such as root canals or anything where your child has to be sedated.

 

Recommendations

One of the best ways to find a good kids’ dentist is through recommendations. Ask relatives, friends, or even the parents at playgroup whether there are any great dentists in the area that they can recommend.

 

Fully-equipped clinic

Finally, assess the equipment that the clinic has. Great clinics will not only have the necessary dental tools, but also boards, oxygen tanks, pulse oximeters, and intubation sets just in case anything goes wrong. A fully-equipped clinic shows that they prioritize their patients and want to make sure they are ready for anything.