Insurance

It is recommended that a child begin visiting a dentist as soon as the first tooth emerges, so it will be very early on in your child's life when you will be faced with the decision of whether to use a pediatric dentist or a family one. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of both will help you make the best decision for you and your child.

Many insurance companies do not offer coverage for babies, but even if your child is not covered for preventative check-ups, consider searching for a good pediatric dentist that will accept your little patient immediately for cash payment and convert to insurance payments when the policy is valid. The sooner you begin taking a child to regular check-ups, the better. Getting used to the environment, the exam chair, and the doctor is half the battle. You may even be able to find a location that will let you have a field trip to the office without cost. If your kid does not have any pressing issues or risks, this may suffice as a first step to take before an actual appointment.

Choosing a pediatric specialist in this field has its advantages. The offices and exam rooms are extraordinarily kid friendly with videos to watch, toys to distract, and kid oriented staff. It is highly suggested if your child is prone or has risks for dental complications at a young age that you stick with this doctor. He is trained not only to deal with youngsters, but he is trained specifically for the little mouth and all affiliated issues. The only downside to sticking with a pediatric specialist is that they often only take very young patients and/or insurance will only pay for visits until around the age of eight, after which you will have to go through the entire orientation process again with a family specialist.

If you and your spouse have a family dentist that is willing to take on young children, you may want to start out in this environment to save the headache of relaying dental history and processing records. Starting with a doctor who will treat your child throughout his or her growth has its distinct advantages, and a steady knowledge of patient history is one of them. Another factor that makes family dentistry a good choice is the ease of having everyone in the family treated by the same doctor or at least in the same office. It is easier to make appointments, and it is simpler to gather records for tax or transfer purposes.

When making the choice, it ultimately comes down to insurance stipulations, and you and your child's comfort levels. Feeling scared or uncomfortable in the exam chair or being scared of the doctor can ruin a child's dedication to oral hygiene for life. You want to provide a smooth experience so that the little patient is more prone to continue good habits and regular appointments when she is older and has to make health decisions on her own.