OK, I keep putting this off and I really need to take my son in to the dentist for his first appointment. We have a family dentist that we trust and love who will take him, but the office is a typical adult environment. I have been looking at pediatric dentists, but none of the ones recommended to me take our insurance (Cigna). So my question is, is it worth it to pay the extra money to go to a Pediatric Dentist, or is it really not much different? Has anyone used one and wished you had done the other? I have no problem paying extra if it will really help my son feel more comfortable, but I don't know how much is just marketing... I have also heard many many horror stories of pediatric dentists doing unnecessary procedures. I am sure others do it too, but it seems everywhere I search I get more bad than good. If anyone has recommendations, I am in the north Carrollton/west Plano area. Thanks.
I like the idea of my son going to my husband's and my dentist because it is just easier and the office is somewhat kid-friendly. If you like your dentist, then have your child see him. You will feel more comfortable already having a relationship with him and the staff. Our pedi recommended a regular dentist over a pedi dentist, so I took his advice and am happy I did.
My 14 yr old daughter has always gone to Dr. Tipton Asher (pediatric dentist) located by Medical Ccenter of Plano. He is retiring and the new Dr. now is Dr. Catherine Judd. My daughter really liked her as well.
I would have it no other way than to have her see a Pediatric Dentist. We have never had any extra procedures performed and in the event of the routine xrays and sealants, the staff talks to the parent BEFORE anything is done for prior approval.
We have never had any tooth issues, just simple cleanings and sealants twice a year since she was about 2.
True, at this office the parents do not go back with the children. I personally like that. After the cleaning is done the Dr. has a one on one conference with the parent.
I would not want a bunch of parents in the treatment area while my child was in the treatment area either....too many people, safety issue, potential of too many accidents and/or germs from parents and because the staff needs to focus on the child. Dr. Asher's office is great at this. Also, some children do better when mom or dad are not around as in less nervousness, etc.
That is just my personal opinion. Good luck.
We go to Plano Pediatric Dentistry (near Central Market) ...
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And I know they take Cigna because that's what we have ... call and tell them your insurance.
We love this dentist!! Dr. Sandy McDougal is great and so is her staff!! It's a smaller office geared toward kids! and there's hardly any wait time at all! They got all xrays of my son's teeth so easily without him whining at all!! Which is a big difference from where we used to go! This office knows how to deal with kids; how to engage them and keep them distracted so they examine their teeth.
I think it depends entirely on the "chairside" manner of the family dentist and whether they are willing to treat kids. Mine was not until they were older. And, unfortunately, the pediatric dentist we ended up using used mercury (aka amalgam) fillings for my boys. So, no matter what you decide please make sure to choose a mercury free dentist. Even if your son is not getting the mercury himself, it is in the dentist office environment and does get into the air - one of the biggest sources of mercury is from coal fired power plants.
FYI, while the ADA still hasn't acknowledged how dangerous mercury is, the FDA is finally getting there:
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0439217520080605
I don't think the ADA will until they get slapped with a monstrous lawsuit. As it is right now, the ADA tends to blackball dentists that speak out against the danger of mercury. So, you may have to be careful how you ask the question if you are calling around. Some of the better dentists will advertise that they are mercury free on websites.
My kiddos have always gone to the family dentist with no problems. Actually, I've been told that most pediatric dentists will not let mom or dad go back into the room with the kids.....I don't like that at all!! So, might be a question to ask both types of dentists that you are considering...
I've always sent my boys to our family dentist with no problems. They have all the "kid" cleaning stuff and flouride stuff and have done a great job with them.
My doctor did tell me that if they did need work done when they were very little that he would probably refer them to a ped. dentist. He's just not comfortable with gassing the little ones and just wants to be safe. That being said, my older son just had a filling done and our dentist did a great job!! He even gave him the shot without my son even knowing!!
