Whether you’re new to the area or simply not happy with your child’s current dentist, you now find yourself in the same position as many of your fellow parents: you’re in search of a pediatric dentist in Garland! At Shiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we know choosing the “perfect” practice is more complicated than ever thanks to the internet. So, in the brief guide below, we’re going to share the 3 most important things you should consider when looking for your child’s dentist. These will help you cut through the endless search results and find your child’s “dental home” in no time!
1. Make sure they are actually a pediatric dentist
Something that many parents don’t know is that there is a distinct difference between a children’s dentist and a pediatric dentist.
What is it?
A children’s dentist is simply a doctor who has completed dental school and is willing to treat younger patients. A pediatric dentist, on the other hand, has taken additional training after dental school in order to meet the unique dental needs of children. This means they have a knowledge and expertise you simply won’t find with a children’s dentist, which enables them to handle a wider variety of problems and provide more solutions.
Our own Dr. Lily, for example, after receiving her doctorate from Western University of Health Sciences, went on to get her pediatric certification from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.
2. Look for professional organizations
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry helps set professional standards for pediatric dental care, and they also offer a number of continuing education courses that enable doctors to stay on top of the latest research and findings so they can provide the most up-to-date care to their patients. Dr. Lily is currently a member of the AAPD, and she is also a part of the Southwestern Society of Pediatric Dentistry as well as the Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
What does this all mean?
That she isn’t just held to the highest standards when it comes to children’s dental care, but that she’s also always striving to get better.
3. Do they have experience with children with special needs?
This won’t apply to every parent, but for those with children with special needs, finding a dentist who has experience treating these kinds of patients is extremely important. Routine dental care can almost seem impossible for many children unless careful accommodations are made, which is especially troublesome as they usually are at a higher risk of developing dental issues.
Dr. Lily is not only happy to serve special needs children, she has done so for a very long time. She is a former special education teacher. In other words, no matter what a child needs to feel comfortable in our office, she’s willing to provide it and has the skills to deliver a stress-free experience.
At Shiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we truly believe that we’re the ideal dental home for every child in Garland and beyond, so we hope you visit us soon so your little one can become a part of our patient family. If you feel like your search isn’t over, hopefully these tips will make it nice and easy for you to find the right practice!
To learn more about our office, the services we offer, or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call today.
