Every year, there are about two million emergency room dental visits. If your child needs an emergency pediatric dentist, it helps to know where to go ahead of time. Otherwise, you might struggle to find dentist options available when you need one most.
Here are seven tips you can use for choosing a Nicholasville pediatric dentist. With these tips, you’ll have peace of mind knowing an emergency dentist is only a drive away.
Discover how to choose a kids’ dentist you can trust during an emergency with these tips today.
1. Gather Referrals
There are now approximately 64,000 pediatric dentists and over 9,500 practices across the US. You can streamline your search when choosing a dentist by gathering referrals. First, turn to other parents who live in Nicholasville.
Ask if they can recommend an emergency pediatric dentist. If they can’t, ask if they can recommend a pediatric dentist instead. Then, determine if that dentist offers emergency services.
As you speak with each parent, take the time to learn about their experience with the dentist. You can prepare a list of questions to ask to gather more information. You might find that the information they provide isn’t available online.
Then, you can make a more informed choice before choosing a dentist for your child.
For example, you might ask:
- Was the dentist experienced and knowledgeable
- What problem did your child experience
- What services does the practice offer
- Was the dentist able to fix the problem
- Were you satisfied with the outcome of their services
- Would you visit them again
- Where are they located
Speaking with other parents can help you determine which kids’ dentists in the area are trustworthy. It could also help you determine which dentists to avoid.
If you’re unable to gather personal referrals, consider talking to your child’s physician. They could help by recommending a pediatric dentist in the area.
Otherwise, start your search online. Develop a list of children’s dentists that offer emergency services. Then, use the rest of these tips to narrow down your options.
2. Check Locations and Hours
As you begin reviewing the dentists on your list, make sure to check their website for more information. For example, you should determine where each practice is located. Consider how far away they are from your home or child’s school.
If there’s an emergency, you’ll want to visit a pediatric dentist who is only a short drive away. Remove any practice on your list that’s over 30 minutes away. Otherwise, you might feel even more stressed during an emergency.
You don’t want to encounter rush hour traffic or a crash on your way to the emergency dentist.
Next, double-check their hours. An emergency dentist will likely offer extended hours. Determine if they’re open 24/7.
Finding a dentist with extended hours can give you peace of mind. You won’t have to wait for the following day to take your child in to see the dentist. Instead, you can visit immediately to ensure your child receives care.
Determine if the office is also open on holidays and weekends. Finding dentist options with extended availability can help you avoid stress and anxiety during an emergency.
3. Review Services
As you continue narrowing down your options, make sure to double-check the services each dentist offers. Take a moment to research what entails a dental emergency, too.
If it’s an emergency, it’s important to seek treatment for your child right away. Otherwise, delaying treatment could allow complications to develop. Your child could experience excruciating pain, too.
In fact, some emergencies could increase the risk that they’ll lose a tooth.
Common dental emergencies include:
- A knocked-out tooth
- Gum abscesses
- Tooth abscesses
- Broken braces
- A chipped, broken, or cracked tooth
- A bleeding mouth
- Facial swelling
- Severe toothaches
If your child has a tooth or gum abscess, it’s important that they receive treatment right away. Symptoms can include a throbbing toothache, facial swelling, sensitivity, or a fever. They might have difficulty swallowing or breathing, too.
When you visit the emergency pediatric dentist, ask them about the common emergencies they treat. They could help you prepare for an emergency if one occurs in the future. For example, you can ask what to do if your child breaks a tooth during an accident.
Preparing for an emergency ahead of time can help improve the outcome.
4. Consider Credentials
Don’t choose a kids’ dentist just yet. Instead, take a moment to review each dentist’s credentials. Make sure they’re licensed as a pediatric dentist.
Consider where they completed their education, too. Make sure they graduated from an accredited dental institution. Then, determine how long ago they graduated.
It’s important to find an emergency children’s dentist who has years of hands-on experience in the industry. However, the dentist should continue their education over time. These dentists strive to offer the best services and treatments.
They remain up-to-date with new technologies, procedures, and treatment options, too.
Finding someone with relevant knowledge can help you feel more confident in your choice.
5. Determine Their Specialties
You could find a number of general emergency dentists in the area. Before choosing a dentist, make sure they specialize in treating children.
Pediatric dentists receive additional training to learn how to care for children. They could have an easier time putting your child at ease, especially during an emergency. Otherwise, your child’s frantic state and dental anxiety could make it difficult for them to receive treatment.
6. Read Reviews
As you begin narrowing down your options, check online for patient reviews. Reading reviews can help you find a trustworthy kids’ dentist.
If you find a number of complaints against the dentist, remove them from your list.
7. Consider Pricing
Call more than one practice to ask about their pricing. Get an itemized list of their services to compare local options.
Ask the practice if they accept your insurance, too. Determine what your insurance will cover in the case of an emergency as well.
Emergency Pediatric Dentist: Visit Your Nicholasville Pediatric Dentist Today
Choosing an emergency pediatric dentist now can give you peace of mind if an emergency occurs. You can make sure your child receives the care they need right away. Use these seven tips to find a Nicholasville pediatric dentist you can trust.
Your child will thank you for it later.
Need to schedule your child’s next appointment? We’re here for you.
Contact us today to get started.