About 20 percent of children aged five to 11 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth.

This information means that if you don’t take your child to the pediatric dentist, there’s a good chance their smile will suffer. You need to find a pediatric dentist who can provide high-quality dental care for your little one.

But how do you choose the right pediatric dentist for your family when there are so many to choose from?

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the factors you should consider when finding a dentist.

1. Experience

How long have they been practicing pediatric dentistry?

What kinds of cases have they treated in the past?

You’ll want to feel confident that your pediatric dentist has the experience and expertise necessary to care for your child’s teeth.

If they’ve been practicing for a while, they’ll likely have a lot of experience with different pediatric dental cases. This is important because it means they’ll be able to handle whatever comes their way.

2. Location

Is the pediatric dentist close to your home or work?

This is important because you’ll want to get there quickly if an emergency arises.

You also don’t want to travel too far for appointments, especially if they’re scheduled during busy times.

Google “pediatric dentistry in my area” to find dentists near you. You can then apply the other factors on this list to narrow down your options.

3. Hours

What are the pediatric dentist’s office hours?

You’ll want to make sure they’re open at times that work with your schedule so you can bring your child in for appointments without missing out on other things.

If it’s difficult to get an appointment during regular office hours, ask if any evening or weekend slots are available instead. These might be more convenient for busy families who don’t have time during the weekdays.

4. Reviews

Look up children’s dentists on review sites like Google, Yelp, and Facebook. This will give you an idea of what other people think about them based on their experiences in the office.

A pediatric dentist with many positive reviews is likely to provide quality dental care. If they have negative feedback online (or none at all), then it’s probably not someone you want to work with.

5. Insurance

Does the pediatric dentist accept your insurance?

This is an important question, especially if you have a dental plan. You don’t want to be stuck with a hefty bill after each visit.

Some pediatric dentists do not take insurance, while others only accept specific plans. Make sure to ask this question before making an appointment.

If the pediatric dentist doesn’t accept your insurance, see if they offer a discount for patients who pay out-of-pocket.

This dentist in Leominster MA also suggests asking them if they offer flexible payment plans if you don’t have insurance.

6. Specialty

Does the pediatric dentist have a specialty in a certain area?

For example, some pediatric dentists focus on preventive care while others treat kids with braces.

If your child has a specific dental need, you’ll want to ensure the pediatric dentist can meet that need. Otherwise, they may have to see a specialist for treatment.

You can find this information by looking at their website or calling the office.

7. Amenities

Does the pediatric dentist’s office have fun things for kids to do? This is important because it helps make them feel more comfortable at their first appointment and sets the stage for a lifetime of good dental health!

Things like pediatric-friendly decor, TVs in waiting rooms with cartoons playing on them, or even toys can all help distract children from being nervous about seeing someone new.

Choose The Right Pediatric Dentist

Choosing a pediatric dentist isn’t always easy, especially if you’re new to the area.

But with these seven factors in mind, we hope you’ll be able to select one that fits your needs and those of your child’s dental health.

Are you looking for more tips for choosing a dentist? Check out our other blog posts.