 Dr. Andie Shin DDS, |  Dr.Wayne Hickory Orthodontist |  Dr. Dina Chehab, DDS |
A child’s dental visit should be exciting, memorable, and educational while building positive experiences to last a child’s lifetime. What makes Bethesda Dental Specialties unique is that every dental team member, including our dentists, hygienists, and support staff, contributes in some way to shape a child’s experience. Our team is composed of caring and compassionate professionals who care for your child as their own.
Offering effective care and treatment options in both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, we offer both specialties right here at Bethesda Dental Specialties. In other words, you will typically not need to be referred to another practice. Orthodontics and pediatric dentistry are complementary to one another – pediatric dentists are often the first clinicians to detect any malocclusions that a child may display, and are the first to recommend early orthodontic treatment. With this in mind, we offer a convenience to both dentistry and orthodontics right here under one roof, from a skilled and experienced dental team committed to the best possible care for your child.
Overall, we want to provide you with what we call The Dental Home – a place outside the home where a child can receive ongoing care from a trusted professional and be immersed in an environment that encourages open dialogue and education. An environment that incorporates exceptional care with a safe, even fun atmosphere.
During treatment for infants at our office, we like to have a parent assist the dentist when performing an oral examination. We typically perform the oral exam with the child sitting on a lap cushion between the dentist and the parent. Our approach is to gradually get the new child familiar with his or her new dental surroundings by incorporating the “tell-show-do” technique, as described in the above section, throughout the visit.
Infants can bring toys or books from the reception area into the treatment rooms. Private rooms are equipped with flat screen televisions as a way to entertain as well as to distract a child from their dental treatment.
We use euphemisms or age appropriate words to describe a child’s dental treatment. This technique, in conjunction with “tell-show-do,” increases the likelihood that a child will understand and cooperate with his or her treatment. Our dental team will regularly monitor a child’s dental growth and development according to their age group. Our pediatric dentist will also recommend early orthodontic evaluation and treatment as necessary, which can typically be performed in-house without the need to refer out to another practice.
For teens, we explain procedures, show them what instruments will be used, and then perform the treatment. These “tell-show-do” techniques can still be useful amongst teenagers even after many years of dental visits. We also provide education for teens on oral piercings and smoking habits.
Our dentists will explain all aspects of anesthesia should it be required for your child’s dental treatment. Your child’s progress is continually monitored during procedures to ensure the safety and efficacy of any sedation techniques that are utilized.
Specific post-operative instructions will largely depend on the treatment your child receives. Our pediatric dentist will give you detailed post-operative instructions upon your visit. You can also contact us with any questions you may have about what to expect after certain procedures.
Our dentists have provided answers to a range of frequently asked questions about pediatric dental care. From the time you should start taking your child to the dentist to what you can do to prevent him or her from developing tooth decay, we give you answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
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