As soon as your son or daughter has teeth, dental health becomes important. But where do you begin? Obviously your dental needs as an adult are much different than those of a small child. And although the parent's role in at-home dental care is essential (especially tooth fairy duties) it's important to find the right pediatric dentist for your child and family. Here's how to find a dentist who's best for you.

1. Know the Difference

Finding the right pediatric dentist is a crucial first step to ensuring a lifetime of healthy oral habits for your child. Why? Pediatric dentists receive two to three years of additional training beyond dental school. They know the unique concerns, opportunities, challenges and situations that go along with early dental development, and how to interact with children and parents so everyone has a positive experience. Choosing a pediatric dentist is a great way to help ensure that your child gets the best start possible – and has excellent dental care for years to come.

2. Ask for Recommendations

If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry! Your child’s pediatrician should be able to refer you to local pediatric dentists to consider. Of course, family and friends can also be a great source of insight, offering info on their experiences, special considerations, conveniences and more. So ask around for recommendations, then make phone calls, visit websites and, finally, visit in person to see if you’ve found the right fit for yourself and your child.

3. Consider Locations

It’s important for your child to have a dental home, a place that comes to know you, your child, your dental history, concerns and needs. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) supports the idea of establishing a dental home for your child’s oral health. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care. Since you’ll want your child to see his or her pediatric dentist for years to come (“pediatric” covers many years!), consider the location – and number of locations – of a potential pediatric dentist. Is the office nearby and easy to get to? This can be especially important in dental emergencies. Is the office well established? How about the supporting staff? Are there multiple offices so dental care will be convenient from home, school, work or other key locations? If the office is difficult to get to, inconvenient or unpleasant, take that into consideration.

4. Partner Up

A pediatric dentist will be the most important partner in ensuring that your child has the best oral health possible. You might be surprised how much you’ll have to discuss! From handling dental accidents and emergencies to discussing how to wean your child off of the pacifier, your pediatric dentist will be your best resource – and that’s just the early years. Proper brushing techniques and tools, losing baby teeth, wondering about braces and much more will come up as your child continues to grow and change. Through it all, your pediatric dentist will be by your side to answer questions and help your child maintain great oral health into adulthood.

5. Have Important Conversations

If you’re the parent of a newborn, you might be wondering why your baby needs a pediatric dentist already. But you can start taking care of oral health even before the first tooth emerges! The first dental visit is educational, much like a well-baby visit, and helps establish a dental home for your child’s needs. Ask questions to ensure that you understand your pediatric dentist’s recommendations. Remember, you play the most important role in your child’s dental health!

Contact Leap Kids Pediatric Dental for a free oral health and wellness checkup! For more information, call 844-LEAPKID.