6 Questions to Ask Yourself When Looking for a Pediatric Dentist

When you’re looking for pediatric dentists in Virginia, you want to be sure that you’re choosing the right pediatric dentists for your family. But finding the right dentist for preventative care takes more than a quick Google search. It’s important to ask yourself a few key questions to put yourself on the right track. That said, here are some of the top questions to ask yourself to help you find the right family dentist both you and your little ones will love.

1. Where are they located?

It’s important to consider where your pediatric dentist’s office is located before you choose them as your child’s dentist. While you may be willing to drive a little out of the way every six months, if you have a family dentist then there’s a good chance you’ll be making that drive several times throughout the year.

2. What do their online reviews say?

Online reviews are a convenient way to check for recommendations when looking for pediatric dentists in your area. Consider checking out different reviews for your pediatric dentists on different sites to see what the general vibe of the office is. Yelp, Google Reviews, and Facebook are great places to check for reviews. If the reviews for a pediatric dentist near you are largely positive, there’s a good chance both you and your child will have a great experience there.

3. What does their website look like?

A website says a lot about a business, and that includes dental clinics. If a website doesn’t look like it’s in the best shape or it looks outdated, that website might possibly be a reflection of how the dentists there treat their clinic. A pediatric dentist’s website ought to be modern looking, easy to navigate, and fun! After all, it’s a clinic for pediatric dentistry. Can you see what services the clinic provides? Can you see who their team is? If a pediatric dentistry’s website looks friendly and well-taken-care-of, you can be sure your family will be well-taken-care-of, too.

4. What’s their customer service like?

Your hunt for the right pediatric dentists for your family doesn’t need to end online. After you’ve considered the clinic’s website and online reviews, it’s time to make an appointment. Consider what the office’s customer service is like. Does the person who greets you on the phone sound friendly? Does your child feel comfortable when you arrive at the clinic for the appointment? Your kids ought to feel safe and secure among the entire clinic’s staff, not just their dentist.

5. Is the office kid-friendly?

Speaking of the pediatric dentist’s clinic, while you’re there for your child’s comprehensive dental exam, make sure to take in the overall atmosphere of the dentist’s office. Does it feel kid-friendly? Are there toys in the waiting area for your kids who aren’t there for their own dental exams? Does it feel comforting or fun? A pediatric dentist’s office that feels a little too clinical can sometimes be intimidating for your little ones.

6. What are your kids’ personal reviews?

After your child’s first comprehensive dental exam at their potential new dentist’s office, make sure to ask them how they felt about the experience. While your own opinion about the dentist’s office matters, your child’s personal opinion matters the most considering it’s their teeth that are being taken care of.

It’s estimated that approximately 75% of adults in the U.S. experience some type of fear when visiting the dentist and 5% to 10% of those adults have a strong enough fear for it to be considered dentophobia. A good pediatric dentist can help to keep those dental fears from developing in the first place, which is key for maintaining your child’s dental health. Tooth decay is about 20 times more common than diabetes and five times more common than childhood asthma. Visiting the dentist every six months for regular cleaning is essential both for kids and adults.

Ready to make a dentist appointment?

Smilez Pediatric Dental Group is the pediatric dental clinic kids and parents alike are excited to visit. With a team of friendly licensed dentists, we’re the clinic you can trust to take great care of your kids’ teeth whether they need preventative care or fillings. To learn more about our pediatric dental care services or to schedule a comprehensive dental exam with us, contact Smilez Pediatric Dental Group today.