3 Tips to Find a Pediatric Dentist Near Me in Rockville

Finding the right pediatric dentist for your family plays a massive role in keeping your kid's teeth healthy and instilling lifelong dental health habits.

What parent doesn't want their child to be as happy and healthy? Oral health is directly linked to general health, meaning brushing, flossing, and dental visits are just as important as visits to the pediatrician.

Children who see a dentist regularly have healthier teeth and carry higher oral health throughout their lives. Because of this, parents should research to find the best one for them. Positive child experiences at the dental office are crucial!

#1 Search for a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist

If you're searching for a pediatric dentist, hop onto Google and search "kid's dentist near me" or "pediatric dentist near me." Google brings up all dentists in Rockville that accept children as patients. However, it doesn't mean they all are pediatric dentists.

From a parent's perspective, a family dentist and a pediatric dentist may seem very similar. Still, they're actually two different types of dentistry.

• Family Dentists = are general dentists who also treat children and don't have specialized pediatric training.

• Pediatric Dentists = are dentists specializing in pediatrics and have an additional two to three years or more of intensive training. After these extra years of specialization, they can choose to appear in a voluntary rigorous examination to be board-certified pediatric dentist.

What are the Advantages of Pediatric Dentists?

Hands down, the most significant advantage of pediatric dentistry is the specialized experience in treating youngsters.

They have an in-depth understanding of infants' and children's oral health and know exactly how to work with children. They know how to positively shape their behavior and experiences, treat issues, and effectively pursue treatment. All of these actions make kids feel safe, comfortable, and secure. Visits to a pediatric dentist are often something a child looks forward to.

#2 Research Patient Reviews & Recommendations

The next step in finding a pediatric dentist near you is to scour online reviews. Reviews on Google and Yelp are unbiased and are usually trusted more than a dentist's website. Ask your friends and family for pediatric dentists that they highly recommend in Rockville.  

#3 Visit the Practice

The final step is to stop by for a quick dental visit to ask some questions. Look around and soak in the atmosphere. You can get a good idea of the pediatric dental experience just by talking with the team and posing questions, such as:

• What are routine dental teeth cleaning like?
• What training does the pediatric dentist have?
• How long has the dentist been practicing? 
• Do they have experience working with special needs kids?
• Does the dentist provide sedation dentistry for nervous kids?
• What insurance does the office accept?
• What's the missed or canceled appointments policy?
• Does the office allow for weekend appointments or dental emergencies?

Afterwards, you can move on to scheduling a consultation to meet your child's new dentist in person and have a comprehensive exam completed.

Shady Grove | Pediatric Dentist Near Me

At Shady Grove, your pediatric dentist in Rockville, MD, our top priority is to help your child build a great relationship with us and establish a healthy oral care routine. We want their healthy smiles to last them a lifetime. Stop by for a visit – you never know, we may be the best pediatric dentist near you.

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