After going through a normal boring cleaning experience with the kiddo at a different dentist, and not really feeling like they were super thorough in their interactions with us, I felt like we should find a dentist that catered to little kids.
The idea of a dentist that specializes in children is a great one to begin with. I would much rather bring my kid to someplace that is fun and an overall YAY HAPPY experience rather than a strange slightly scary one. because of course that's what ~I~ grew up with, and I am sooo not a fan of going to the dentist to this day. So in an effort to stop that fear of the dentist before it even started, kiddo and I dug around on the web and looked at a few different places in the area. This is the one that stood out to me... and when he was excited about the idea of going, and then actually (and soooooo genuinely) said "thank you for making an appointment for me!" when I called the next day? I knew it was the right decision.
I really dig the atmosphere of the place - kind of an undersea motif with all sorts of creatures painted on the walls and even some scuba stuff which was cool even though I wasn't getting the correlation to the ocean and scuba diving and teeth. Come to find out, the dentist is a diver, so I at least got where it was coming from. Some of the pediatric places I saw had all sorts of playground type equipment in their waiting rooms, which at first glance seemed like an awesome idea. And then I realized it probably wouldn't be a good thing to get a four-year-old all fired up from running around like a wild animal, and then expect him to be still and calm and chill while people are poking around in his mouth. This waiting room has a BIG screen at the front and a smaller one towards the back with a movie playing (although the sound wasn't in sync beterrn the two and I was DYINGGGG), as well as some other random toys scattered about. So while they're entertained and not bored (and driving their mommas nuts, ahem)... they're not being all crazy and fired up. Nice balance.
We didn't wait long at all before being called back. The staff was wonderful and so great with kids, and made potentially scary things like getting x-rays done very cool and interesting. They also have a computerized x-ray thing instead of those awful bitewing things, which is AWESOME and so much less invasive and hurty. And the fact that he got to see his teeth on the monitor was super exiting for him (and me too, ahem). After they got done with x-rays, they whisked us off to a room with a lay-back chair thingy and A TV DIRECTLY OVERHEAD ON THE CEILING (!!!) also playing a kids movie. From what I understand, they usually do the cleanings in a bigger open room with partitions separating the several chairs, but we ended up in a back room that was all closed off with a door because that room was full. I imagine this is probably where they do stuff like fillings and other more scary stuff so the kids just getting their teeth cleaned don't have to see all that malarkey. And the idea of a group area seems pretty cool too, in hindsight: "Hey look, there's other kids here too! And everyone's happy! Yayyyyy!!"
The tech doing the cleaning was great as well, and went through everything with the kiddo before she started, letting him know about the sounds and sensations he was about to go through, but did it in fun kid terms (it's going to sound like a race car) and even let him feel the spinny fluoride applicator thingy with his finger so he could see how it "tickles." And speaking of fluoride? They have a zillion fun and yummy-sounding flavors, and they totally let him pick. That's the way to win any kid's heart, you know? She was quick and thorough with the cleaning itself, all while my kid was a zombie watching the TV on the ceiling. GENUIS I SAY. She was also super thorough with me, asking about our brushing routines, answering the questions I had, giving some advice here and there.
Afterwards the dentist came in and checked the x-rays, poked around in the kiddo's mouth a bit, and we discussed a couple of things to look out for in the future. He also took plenty of time and answered questions, explained stuff clearly and thoroughly, and showed me what he was talking about on the x-rays even. I left there feeling like I had confirmation that we're doing a good job with brushing and such, and also some things to be extra vigilant about in regards to tooth spacing, so we don't end up with problems down the road.
They also scheduled the next appointment at the desk before we left, which I love -- it's just so much easier that way instead of having to remember to call, and then try and fit something in on the calendar that you've inadvertently filled up already. Not to mention that they were booked solid for a couple of weeks when we called to set up the original appointment.
All in all -- it was a great experience for both of us, and we'll definitely be going back. read more