Finding a pediatric dentist for your child can feel like a daunting challenge. There are so many, and there’s no easy way to compare them. It can take a lot of time and legwork, and so many people put it off.

As inconvenient as it is, you can’t put off finding a pediatric dentist too long; of child’s oral health is too important. Here are some tips to make the process easier.

Ask For Referrals From Friends, Family & Coworkers

It could be that finding a dentist will be easier than you think, if you tap your network. Ask your friends and family. Ask your neighbors. Ask your coworkers. Most of these people have dentists and many of them will be happy to provide you their contact information.

If you have insurance, similar to what Taylor Benefits Insurance offers, check with them for a list of the dentists in Loudoun County that accept your insurance. If you cross check this with the list of references your contacts gave you, you will quickly have a short list of people to check out.

Visit Their Website

Every reputable pediatric dental office should have a website. From the comfort of your home, you’ll be able to check on things like:

• Is the office located close by and is it convenient to get to?
• Do the office hours work for your schedule?
• What are the procedures in place if you have a dental emergency?
• Where was the dentist trained and what certifications does he or she hold?

This should filter your list even further. By this time you might have only a handful of names left. At this point you may choose to visit the office or schedule an appointment.

Check Things Out On Your Own

By visiting the dentist’s office, you’ll be able to get the general feel of things. Is the  place calm, clean, and kid friendly? Do you observe good hygienic practices? In a busy practice, you may not be able to just show up and ask a lot of questions. You should be able to schedule a tour of their office though.

Since you will be spending a lot of time at your kid’s dentist (at least twice a year for the foreseeable future), it’s important to choose someone you like and are comfortable with. You should also ask questions about fees, the price of X-rays, oral exams and filling cavities can vary widely.

The dentist should cheerfully answer your questions. After all, it is his or her job to make sure you understand any and all procedures you child may undertake in the near future.

To discuss our pediatric dental practice or schedule an office visit please give us call! (703) 542-7300