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I am considering taking my child (3yrs.old) to my dentist for the regular
checkups. I took her to a pediatric dentist the first time, and I thought my own
dentist would be just as good and half price. She wasn't to impressed with
tricks and toys anyway. I figure that if a problem arises I can always take her to
a pediatric one.
It would be helpful to have some inputs from people that do it too!
Mom
The first time my daughter saw a dentist, I took her to my
dentist, figuring it would be nice for her to see me having my
teeth cleaned first. And she was tolerated it just fine, but
after reading the reviews here about Dr. Bob Khalil, a
pediatric dentist, I took her to him for her next checkup (age
3) and she LOVED him. I think she was much more comfortable
with the staff, who were used to dealing with kids, and happier
in the chair, which was smaller. Now she talks about how much
she likes Dr. Bob and how much she loves going to the dentist.
Your child might not care, or she might not care until she is
older--mine was fine with the adult dentist, but much happier
with the pediatric one.
A Believer in Pediatric Dentists
I took my 3-year-old son to my regular dentist, and he did just fine. She
was calm and matter of fact with him, and he allowed her to do all the
necessary procedures with no fuss.
Karen
Hi - I'm with you on switching to a non-pediatric dentist. It
seems to me that they've got quite a scam going that they can
charge twice the prices for the same services as adults get.
All for extra toys (like we don't have enough junk around the
house to stumble over) and bubblegum flavored toothpaste.
After one trip to the ped-dentist I bailed and took my kids to
my regular dentist. I figured the same as you, if something
comes up that requires someone specialized in pediatric
dentistry then I'll go back, but not for regular check-ups and
cleaning. Not worth it in my book.
- Tired of being overcharged
My dentist said he wouldn't bother taking a child in to a
dentist before they are 4 or 5 (he has a toddler like I do).
The only reason he recommended taking one in would be if you
detected brown spots on the teeth, which would indicate tooth
decay.
kim
Hi - if you dentist is not experienced with children, I would go
to a pediatric dentist. We took our daughter to one for her
first visit at 3 y old and they were really good with her and
very understanding when it absolutely did not work the first
time (they didn't even charge us) -- thankfully, it did work the
second time and they were able to examine and clean and polish
her teeth (with her lying on top of her father).
Ioana
My take on this is that you don't need a pediatric dentist.
Much of their pull is gimmickry and marketing, to make parents
belive that they have something special to offer their
children. We have 2 children and took them to 3 different
pediatric dentists in the East Bay in the past 8 years, before
taking them to our own ''regular'' (non-pediatric) dentist in
Berkeley who my son has dubbed the ''nicest grownup'' he has ever
met. We began with a pediatric dentist in a well-respected group
in Berkeley after our son chipped his tooth at the age of 12
months. Then when they didn't ake our insurance anymore, we
tried Dr. Matsuishi in El Cerrito, with all of his ceiling TV's,
video games, balloons, x-rays, etc. It was a tad demoralizing
to be called into the ''business office'' of his suite while his
employee determined how much of our visit would be covered by
our insurance even before our son saw him. A couple of years
later, we took our 3 year old daughter to a different pediatric
dentist in Berkeley who found numerous cavities and had staffers
administer a strong sedative to her in a very traumatic,
insensitive manner. We have since learned that much of this work
was unnecessary.
anon
Go to the pediatric dentist. They have tricks to disarm your
little one, and even if you think your child doesn't care, it
will make your life easier. Plus they know what to look for,
what kinds of questions to ask, how to educate you, how to
educate the child. It's very intrusive to have a stranger poke
around in your mouth. At least forthe first time, make it a good
experience. If it doesn't seem worth it to you, you can always
try your own dentist afterward.
jan
My daughter is almost 5 and has been going to my dentist since
she was 2. She has never been to another dentist. My dentist
says that if he finds a problem he will tell me to take her to a
pediatric dentist. Funny thing, my dentist is sort of gruff and
all business with me, but much friendlier and animated with my
daughter.
--no cavities
I assume you've talked to your dentist about bringing your
little one. If he, she?...forgot..sorry..isn't phased by the
cutsey stuff in a ped. dentist office, then your family dentist,
assuming he/she is good with kids should be fine.
Our kids started seeing our family dentist when they were 5 ish.
He's an older guy, very gentle and savvy to kids ways. My older
son never knew he was getting a shot because of the way the DDS
handled my son and the injection. I say go for it.
anon
I was always skeptical about pediatric dentists. I took my first
two kids to the same dentist I was going to, but my third child
has been going to a pediatric dentist. Now I have to say, I
really like the pediatric dentist better. Not so much because I
think the dentist is more skilled, but more just the little
things. Like, all the chairs are kid-sized, so the kids aren't
reclining on a huge chair having their teeth looked at. The
waiting room is kid friendly. The examining room is open, so
that several kids can be in there at the same time, which I think
is comforting to kids. There are chairs and magazines for the
parents in the examining room, so your child has you there, and
you can watch, without getting in the way of the dentist. The
dentists are good with kids - that's their specialty - and they
see kids all day long, day after day, so they really know how to
talk to them, and make them feel comfortable. We go to the
Wampler/Katsura group - I think they are great.
Ginger
When my son turned three years old I took him to a much
recommended pediatric dentist in Berkeley (Regent St) and it
cost me $125!!! The dentist and his staff spent less than 15
minutes on my son's teeth. Well, enough of that waste of money
and racket! I sent him to my dentist, Dr. Barry Kami, who
charged $70-$80 to clean my son's teeth. They provided him a
fun, pampered atmosphere and a great goody bag. He loved it,
and I now schedule our appointments together, which so much
easier on my schedule. My advice, don't waste the money on a
pediatric dentist(unless your child as some pretty serious
dental problems) especially if your dentist can serve children
well.
anon
13-month-old with 6 teeth - first dentist visit?
March 2002
I have a 13 month old baby with 6 teeth. I am a little confused about when to take her for her first dental visit. I have read different opinions ranging from 6 months after she gets her first tooth to 2 years old. Does anyone know? Thanks. Julie
My 9 month old son has 9 teeth now (8 front and 1 molar) and I'm wondering, when should he start going to the dentist? I've heard a lot of people say at 2 years, but I also heard a commercial from the American Dental Association saying they should start at 1 year. I looked on the UCB Parents Newsletter archives at recommendations for a pediatric dentist, but does anyone know of a dentist in the Oakland/Berkeley area that is specifically good with very little kids? Thanks for any help you can give. Heather
Last updated: Apr 17, 2005
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