Plan Your Visit

Plan Your Visit

At Pediatric Dental Specialists–Kearney, you can expect a warm and welcoming environment and service tailored specifically to your child. In keeping with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s guidelines, we suggest bringing your child for their first appointment by the time they turn 1. Our team will check your child’s oral development and provide you with tips on how to care for their teeth.

Visiting the dentist early also helps your little one feel more comfortable about dental visits. It’s a great opportunity for you and your child to meet our friendly team and become familiar with the environment. As visits become more regular, your child will develop a lifelong positive association with dental care.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Parents can expect a relaxing, kid-friendly environment at Pediatric Dental Specialists–Kearney. First, our team will take your child’s medical history and learn a little about their brushing routine and diet. As pediatric dental specialists, we know how to provide the best care for your child in a way that makes their first visit fun and exciting.

If you have an infant or toddler, they can sit or lie comfortably on your lap during the entire visit. This is what we call a knee-to-knee evaluation. We will check the teeth, gums, and jaws and explain what we’re doing every step of the way. Then we will clean their teeth with a toothbrush. This encourages effective teeth brushing at home as we make the experience fun and interactive.

Older children can sit in the big chair by themselves if they are comfortable doing so. We will gently introduce the instruments we use as we perform a thorough checkup and professional cleaning. Parents are encouraged to be in the room with their children, as this can make them less anxious and more comfortable about the experience. Preventive X-rays, or radiographs, are part of the evaluation for children 3 years and up.

TIPS FOR PREVENTING TOOTH DECAY

Parents play a leading role in preventing tooth decay in their children. You are who they look to for their diet and nutrition and their at-home brushing and flossing routine. Not to mention you have a huge influence on their ongoing well-being. We recommend parents avoid giving their children sugar-laden foods and drinks (for example, juices) and encourage brushing twice daily and flossing daily.

Be sure to explain to your kids why looking after their teeth and gums is important. Reading books and watching videos about their favorite characters visiting the dentist can encourage your children to be active participants in their own health care. Regular dental visits also help to build dental care into your child’s routine and teach them healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

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My son's first visit was amazing, front staff were super sweet, dental nurse was amazing with him. Both dentist and assistant were informative and provided great care. They were gentle and spoke to him in a caring manner so he would understand.

MEILY O.

There are options for that unexpected dental procedure.

With or without insurance, we want to help you make getting the dental care your child needs easy.

We work with your insurance to maximize your benefits.

No insurance? We also accept other forms of payment such as credit cards, cash, and check. We also accept CareCredit which offers flexible monthly payments, with zero interest for six or 12 months on larger charges.

We can’t wait to welcome you into our dental family!

Are you looking for a kid-centered dental practice so your child can receive the best possible care? Pediatric Dental Specialists–Kearney cannot wait to welcome you and your children to our office. Contact our friendly team today to request an appointment for your child’s first visit. You can also find helpful tips and information in our blog.