Just as your pediatrician serves as the medical home for your child, the pediatric dentist should serve as the dental home for your child. The dental home is a special relationship between the dentist, patient and family. It is defined by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to include all aspects of oral health care and it is characterized as:
- Comprehensive. We can provide all aspects of dental care for infants, children, adolescents and those with special health care needs. Our services include prevention and education, diagnosis, emergency care, restorative care, cosmetic treatments, surgical treatments, interceptive orthodontics, and sedation.
- Continuously accessible. Whether it is day or night, we are available for consultation by phone. If necessary, we will see your child after-hours in our office.
- Coordinated. Some children may require care beyond the specialty of pediatric dentistry. In these cases, we will work with the necessary specialists, whether dental or medical, to provide the best care for your child.
- Family-centered. We understand that parents are busier than ever these days and it takes a village to raise a child. We will do our best to accommodate the schedules of you, your child, and other caretakers. We would also like to meet all those responsible for your child’s care in order to provide the best education and preventive care possible.
Establish a dental home!
Don’t wait for there to be tooth pain or an accident to the mouth to start looking for a dentist for your child. Within the storm of a dental problem, it can be difficult to find a dental appointment for your child asap.
This is one important reason why the AAPD recommends that you establish a dental home for your child by their first birthday. By establishing a dental home, you and your child will be able to receive the appropriate instruction and care to maintain a healthy and bright smile. It also means that you will have somewhere to go if your child ever experiences a bump, fall or accident to the mouth, or someone to call if there is swelling or pain. As an established patient, we may provide consultation over the phone, call-in antibiotics to your pharmacy or see your child on an emergency basis.
Blog by Lil Pearls Pediatric Dentistry, proudly serving Queens, Forest Hills, Rego Park, Middle Village, Elmhurst, Corona, Kew Gardens, and NYC. Please call to schedule your appointment and establish your child’s dental home.