Helping kids manage their fear of the dentist

 

In reality, there really isn’t any reason to fear the dentist. They help individuals get the smile they want and deserve through necessary dental treatments. However, some kids may have an irrational fear of the dentist which can prevent them from having their teeth checked. Adults can encourage kids to manage their fear of the dentist.

Image source: deardoctor.com

Find friendly dentists. Dr. Kami Hoss and The Super Dentists help kids feel comfortable and at ease in every time they visit for a check-up or a procedure. It’s also important for parents to have confidence in the dentist and their staff in order for the child to feel the same. Prepare the child for the visit. Answer questions about the dentist truthfully and avoid downplaying their anxieties. Encourage the child to talk about what makes them afraid or nervous about the visit.

Adults may have the tendency to make dental visits seem scary, especially for kids. Instead, make the visit enticing. Read books and watch videos about dentists that are kid-friendly to build their excitement. Use the right words when talking about dental visits. Rather than using words that might evoke negative reactions such as “pain,” “shot,” or “hurt,” use positive, kid-friendly words like “healthy,” “clean,” and “comfortable.”

Image source: healthychildren.org

Explore the dental office. Parents can arrange for the dental staff to tour the child around the office to help them see there is nothing to fear. They can even let kids hold kid-friendly dental tools for a little role playing before the actual procedure.

Kami Hoss, MS, DDS, is the CEO of The Super Dentists, the largest pediatric dentistry and orthodontic practice in San Diego. He is also a sought-after author, consultant, inventor, and speaker in the fields of dentistry and business. Read more about Dr. Kami Hoss here.

Smart ways to choose a local dentist

Choosing a dentist might seem like a fairly easy decision to make. But not when you consider how radically important this specialist’s role is in maintaining your dental health in the long term, or in correcting the alignment of your teeth through metal braces. Here are several things to consider when choosing a dentist in your area.

Image source: Pixabay.com

Cover the basics

Answer some crucial questions: Is the dentist’s office easy to get to from your home or office? Does it have convenient office hours? If dental benefits are covered by your insurance plan, is the dentist in that network? Is the dentist a member of the ADA? You will do regular visits to this dentist, so it’s a must to cover these basics.

Gauge your personal comfort

Determine if you’re comfortable with the person. Are you able to ask questions freely and explain your symptoms? Does the dentist hear you out and understand your concerns, or do they merely shrug them off? Are you confident discussing important dental procedures with the dentist?

Image source: Pixabay.com

Look at professional qualifications

Obtain information about the person’s qualifications from the local dental society as well as your insurance carrier. Organizations of specialty dentists list their members as well as qualifications. The dentist’s office, too, should reflect cleanliness and an ongoing policy on infection control.

Launch your search

Use the ADA’s Find-a-Dentist tool, research your local dental society, or seek referral from a trust friend or relative. Local health departments or dental schools can also assist in finding affordable dental services for you.

Meet and greet the dentist

Call or visit the dentist before choosing. See if the office is neat and welcoming and if you think you can work with the dentist for a long time. It’s your oral health at stake after all, and you shouldn’t settle for anything less than the right fit for your needs.

Kami Hoss, MS, DDS, is a sought-after author, consultant, inventor, and speaker in the fields of dentistry and business. He is the co-founder and CEO of The Super Dentists and the chief executive of Acceledontics and Howard Healthcare Academy. For similar reads, visit this page.

The Difference Between a Dentist And An Orthodontist

Many people get confused as to makes a dentist different from an orthodontist. This bewilderment is understandable because both deal with the teeth and are both doctors. Receiving the right treatment from the right dental professional is vital to keep one’s teeth and mouth in perfect health.

Both dentists and orthodontists focus on oral care. Dentists and orthodontists have undergone five years of education to obtain a degree in dental surgery. However, orthodontists spend three more years to earn the title of master of orthodontics.

Image source: aus-bizlist.com

The differences lie in the way the two professionals provide oral care and deal with teeth and gums. Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that places emphasis on strengthening the teeth and ensuring a person’s jaws are appropriately aligned. Orthodontists can practice in a dental office and deliver the same care as a dentist. Patients may be referred to an orthodontist by their dentist if they have an overbite. Orthodontists will be the ones to treat patients and improve their bite, (such as misaligned teeth, crowded teeth, overbite, and underbite) having them fitted for corrective braces and devices.

Image source: pixabay.com

Dentists normally encourage good oral hygiene. They provide services that relate to tooth decay, root canals, gum disease, bridges, crowns, veneers, and teeth whitening. Dentists are the ones in charge of doing general six-month checkups, providing treatments for fillings and extractions, and cleaning and polishing. Braces and Invisalign may be fitted by general dentists. However, they are not experts in the field of orthodontics.

Kami Hoss MS, DDS, is a sough-after author, consultant, inventor, and speaker in the fields of dentistry and business. He is the co-founder and CEO of The Super Dentists. For similar updates, click here.

Why Dental Assistants Are In High Demand

There has been a massive push for dental assistants lately, with 332,000 dental assistant jobs in the United States in 2016 – and growing. The projection is that these jobs will increase 19 percent from 2016 to 2025, faster than the average profession. But why are dental assistants in such high demand?

Oral health remains a top priority among many adult Americans. An American Dental Association (ADA) survey shows that 77 percent of adults plan to visit their dentist within the next year, while 85 percent feel the need to visit their dentist at least twice annually. A staggering 95 percent think regular dental visits are crucial in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Image source: Pixabay.com 

Being a dental assistant is therefore embarking on a fast-paced industry like dentistry. The duties and responsibilities are clear and valuable, from checking patient health status and preparing dental instruments and equipment, to providing post-treatment instructions and accomplishing office management tasks. Dental assistants are also tasked to contact patients and suppliers, as well as organize office data and records.

Ongoing research also continues to link oral health and general health, and this will likely continue to enhance the demand for preventive dental services. Dental clinics and offices will keep having the need for dental assistants to perform routine tasks and allow the dentists themselves to see more patients in their practice and take over more complex procedures.

Image source: Pixabay.com 

As the industry grows, there will be more openings for dental assistant positions, and the momentum will likely to continue for years and decades to come.

Kami Hoss, MS, DDS is a sought-after author, consultant, inventor, and speaker in the fields of dentistry and business. He is the co-founder and CEO of The Super Dentists and the chief executive of Acceledontics and Howard Healthcare Academy. Read more on this site.