Why Choosing an American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Dentist Matters

Did you know that February is National Children’s Dental Health Month? This month provides a great opportunity to take charge of your child’s dental health and learn more about different kinds of dentists.

Today we’re going to talk a little bit about pediatric dentists and how to choose a good dental care provider.

One of the easiest ways to check a dentists’ credibility is to ask what professional organizations they’re a member of. There are dozens of dental organizations in the US today, spanning a variety of specializations and regions. Generally speaking, the purpose of these organizations is to further professional education and improve patient care.

Today we’re specifically going to talk about the AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) dentists and why choosing one matters.

What Is A Pediatric Dentist?

First, let’s start with some basics.

A pediatric dentist is a dentist that specializes in dental care for children and teens (typically ages 0-18). If you have a child, it is generally preferable to take them to see a pediatric dentist instead of a general dentist. This is because pediatric dentists have to go through years of additional training focused solely on children’s dental care. As a result, pediatric dentists are typically better informed regarding children’s teeth.

Additionally, pediatric dentists receive training specifically related to dealing with small children and first-time visits to the dentist. This training means that they’re more likely to be able to put your child at ease and handle stressful situations such as tantrums or outbursts of emotion.

What Is the AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry)?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry is a professional organization that aims to “advance optimal oral health for all children by delivering outstanding service.” Like other professional organizations, the AAPD seeks to advance its members’ professional skills and education. Moreover, this organization also strives to educate the general public regarding children’s dental health.

Today, there are thousands of highly-qualified AAPD dentists all over the US. Let’s talk about why you should choose one of these dentists as your child’s dental care provider.

Qualifications

Only dentists with a “specialty of Pediatric Dentistry from an accredited program” can join the AAPD as active members. In other words, if a dentist is a member of the AAPD, they have most likely already been verified as a qualified pediatric dentist.

In addition to this, active members must also be approved by the AAPD’s Credentials and Ethics Committee.

All of these stringent requirements ensure that only qualified and fully certified pediatric dentists can become active AAPD members. These credentials make your job of choosing an excellent pediatric dentist that much easier. Use the AAPD search tool to find a qualified dentist near you.

Network of Excellent Dentists

According to their website, the AAPD has “10,890” members in total. This organization is a vast network of qualified pediatric doctors. The benefit of this network to the parent of a young child is that your dentist can refer you to excellent pediatric dentists all over the state. Whether you happen to be moving or simply need a specialized dental care provider, an AAPD dentist is more likely to be able to refer you.

Continuing Education

However, the most significant benefit of an AAPD dentist is unquestionably their continued education. Unlike unaffiliated dentists, an AAPD provider is more likely to attend a variety of annual conferences and meetings to further their education.

The AAPD hosts events to further professional development regarding dental topics such as safe sedation, managing emergencies, and much more.

As a result, an AAPD dentist is more likely to be up to date on the latest research and cutting-edge treatments. Additionally, their general base of dental knowledge would be more extensive due to continued professional education.

Insurance

In addition to all of the above benefits, AAPD dentists also have access to reliable insurance that can help keep you safe.

For example, the AAPD helps their dentists obtain professional liability insurance if necessary. This coverage is extremely beneficial since it can help protect you as a patient from costly accidents.

All in all, selecting an AAPD dentist is safer and more effective. Rather than leaving your child’s dental health up to chance, you can always opt for one of these pre-vetted dentists.

Answers To Common Questions

We hope that this article helped you better understand why choosing an AAPD dentist matters. Below are just a few last questions and answers that we’ve compiled for your convenience.

How To Find A Good Dentist?

There are lots of good ways to find a dentist. The most important things to keep an eye out for are dentist credibility and client reviews. Fortunately, the AAPD already has a handy search tool that can help you find a pediatric dentist in no time. Once you find a dentist in your area, you can also search them up online to see if they have reviews.

Another great way to find a good dentist is good old-fashioned word-of-mouth. Try asking other parents in your area if they know any excellent pediatric dentists.

How Much Does A Pediatric Dentist Visit Cost?

According to DentalPlans.com, the average cost of a dental check-up for a child is “$65 to $100.” Keep in mind, however, that this price tag is just for a basic check-up and does not include the multitude of additional services that your child will most likely require. Sealants, cavity fillings, braces, and dentures are all possible costs that can add up quickly.

There are, however, a variety of things you can do to prevent costly procedures. For example, helping your child develop good oral health habits can go a long way towards preventing cavities. Pre-emptive procedures such as sealants can help as well.

Does My Child Need Dental Insurance?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, children are probably the most likely members of your household to need multiple dental visits a year. For starters, children tend to get a lot of cavities (either due to poor brushing or frequent snacking). Additionally, dentists will often recommend braces for children and teens, which can be a very pricey procedure. It’s best to have some kind of insurance coverage when doing all these dental procedures.

Fortunately, many insurance plans have an option for dependents – utilize it by adding your children to your insurance plan.

Insurance can not only help save you money, but it can also protect your children in case of an emergency. After all, accidents do happen, but you don’t want to be caught in a situation where you can’t pay for emergency dental care.

What Age Should A Child Go To The Dentist?

Generally speaking, dentists recommend that children have their first dental visit by the time they’re one year old. Having said that, if the child’s first tooth comes sooner than that, they should be brought in at that point. Remember that regular dental check-ups are vital to ensuring that your child’s teeth grow in correctly.

Looking For A Pediatric Dentist In Tennessee?

Are you looking for a fantastic dental clinic for your child? Well, that’s us! Here at Snodgrass-King Dental, we offer a team of highly-qualified pediatric dentists. Our pediatric dentists can handle dental issues of all kinds – everything from routine cleanings to sealants and extractions. What’s even better is that our team of dentists has had years of experience working with children and is up to any challenge. So whether your child is coming in for their very first dental check-up, or they’re a seasoned pro, we can handle the situation in a compassionate way.

In addition to all that, however, we also offer dental services for adults. This means that you and your child can come in for your appointments simultaneously. As far as adult dental care goes, our practice offers a variety of services such as teeth whitening, fillings, crowns, implants, and much more.

Still not convinced we’re the right dental office for you? Then check out our patient testimonials! Our patients absolutely love us, and their reviews speak for themselves. So don’t hesitate to book an appointment with us. Simply call or fill out our online form to get in touch with us.

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in Tennessee

For your convenience, Snodgrass-King Dental has locations all across Tennessee, including Mt. Juliet, Murfreesboro, Franklin, and Cool Springs. Feel free to visit our website for additional information, such as hours and phone numbers for specific locations.