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Our training includes special education in child psychology,
preventative techniques, and the treatment of the chronically ill or
handicapped child. A great deal of time is spent in studying growth
and development and this is applied to the interception of potential
orthodontic problems. Many parents choose a pediatric dentist for
their child just as they prefer a pediatrician to care for their
child's medical needs.
As important as the technical training they receive, pediatric
dentists spend much of their time learning that children have to be
treated differently from adults. They realize that kids initially may
have some anxieties and they work to make them feel
comfortable. Pediatric dentists also study child psychology so they
can understand children's needs from a different perspective. From
the ambience of the office, to the caring professional staff
selected by the dentists, the entire practice is built around caring
for children.
We see
children from birth to age 18.
What should I tell my
child's before the
FIRST VISIT?
You can explain to your child that the dentist wants to be a friend
and help care for his or her teeth. "At the first visit, the dentist
wil count your teeth, clean them with a special tickling toothbrush,
and take some pictures of your mouth." Never tell a child that
the dentist will not hurt, as this may never have entered the
child's mind, but rather, that the dentist will be very gentle.
We encourage parents to stay during the FIRST VISIT.
During
future appointments, when the parents are not present, we continue to help overcome many of the
of fears
your child and acquaint the child with dentitstry in a pleasant
manner.
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Why are Baby Teeth So Important? |
Often
parents don't think primary (baby) teeth are important since they
are lost anyway. But, primary teeth need the same care as permanent
teeth. Your child needs healthy primary teeth for chewing, for good
speech habits, for appearance and to preserve space for the
permanent teeth.
There
are 20 Primary Teeth and 32 Permanent Teeth.
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