What is a Pedodontist?
A Pedodontist in lynnwood washington is a dental professional who specializes in the care of children’s teeth. They play an important role in the development of your child’s oral health just the same as your child’s pediatrician cares for the rest of your child’s physical health. Your Pedodontist is key in learning how to incorporate flossing and brushing into your child’s daily routine. The staff at the dentist’s office is there to support and teach you the best way to care for your child’s teeth and gums.
Educational Requirements for a Pediatric Dentist
Once a Pediatric Dentist has completed dental school, they continue their education in a two to three year specialized residency program where they work hands-on to develop the skills needed to care for young children whose teeth are in their development stages. Here they also study child development and psychology. Children who require gentle care and those who have special needs can be cared for in each point at their Pedodontist’s office setting.
Why go to a Pediatric Dentist?
Your Pediatric Dentist uses the special training they go through to enable them to handle with a different level of care the same dental procedures a general dentist would perform. Pedodontists are able to give particular care to young children who may have anxiety over being in an unfamiliar environment with a lot of new sounds. Young children and children with special needs can benefit from the approach a Pediatric Dentist will use where a general dentist may not have the same skill set for comforting and treating the younger set.
Pediatric Behavioral Guidance
Behavioral Guidance techniques are often used on child patients to ease any fear or anxiety they may be experiencing. A patient’s individual needs and preferences, along with their particular maturity level, are taken into account when deciding what is best for them. A couple of methods used on patients are:
- Positive reinforcement which encourages the child after successfully tolerating a procedure. Even a simple cleaning can be distressing to a child and as the hygienist is able to perform the procedure, positive and reassuring words can help the patient become comfortable in their new surroundings.
- Tell-show-do is a wonderful method in which the dentist tells the child what is going to happen is terms that the child can comprehend before showing them what will happen and finally doing the procedure. Simply knowing what is about to happen can alleviate quite a bit of anxiety!
The dentist may also suggest that the patient observe another child undergo a procedure. The Pediatric Dentist will make adjustments in their approach to meet the needs of the individual.
Choosing the right Dentist
When considering which Pediatric Dentist might be right for your child, take some time to research your options. On the website for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists you can find a list of Pedodontists in your area. When you call potential offices, be sure to inquire about their after hours emergency policy. Depending on your child’s individual needs, you may find you need to ask about the offices Behavioral Guidances to make sure they will be the best fit to provide optimal dental care for your child in a positive and comforting manner.
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