How Long Should a Child See a Pediatric Dentist?

Feb 01, 2022

Does your child visit a pediatric dentist in Dorval, QC for their dental care needs? Some dental offices specialize in pediatric dentistry, while many are general dental practices treating patients of all ages and some deal exclusively with adults. Children’s dental clinics have child-sized equipment to accommodate children’s needs. The decor of the practice is also child-centred having staff trained to work with children.

Children can undoubtedly begin seeing a pediatric dentist from infancy until adolescence. However, no official age exists for children and dental practices as to when they must make a transition to a general dentist. You might realize your child is growing quickly and wonder whether it is time for them to transition to a general dentist. The decision might seem challenging about when your child should stop visiting pediatric dentists and what is the appropriate age for them. Here is what you must consider when deciding whether your child is ready to move to another practice providing dental care for children.

Discuss the Topic with Your Child

For starters, we suggest you discuss the topic with your child inquiring whether they are happy visiting a children’s dentist or would they like to see a dental practice also offering treatment for children. For all you know, your child could be developing feelings they are too old to go to a pediatric dentist and may prefer making a change to another practice. At the same time, they may express nervousness about changing dentists, in which case you must let your child receive dental care from the children’s dental clinic.

Has Your Child Lost All Their Primary Teeth?

If your child has lost all their primary teeth and most of their permanent teeth have emerged, the time is appropriate for them to transition to a general dentist or a practice treating patients of all ages. You have no compulsions to switch your child to a general dentist because all their permanent teeth have emerged. In addition, you do not have to continue treatment from a pediatric dentist because the child may still have a couple of primary teeth. These factors are not definitive but are worth considering when transitioning your child to another dentist.

Make Inquires with the Present and Future Dentist about the Ages They Treat

Start by asking your child’s pediatric dentist whether they stop seeing children at a certain age or have cut-off age. Some pediatric dental offices see patients until their teenage years and later.

If you intend to transition your child to a general dentist, inquire with the practice about what ages of patients they accept. Some general dentists don’t take children because they do not have expertise in dealing with pediatric dental patients. Many practices do not accept children at all. Therefore you help yourself by checking thoroughly before transitioning your child to a general dentist.

Does Your Child Have Special Needs?

Many children have special needs even as they grow as teenagers. Pediatric dentists are trained to manage children with special needs well into adulthood. In addition, patients that are physically disabled, have extreme dental anxiety, are autistic, or are mentally delayed may benefit significantly from the familiarity of their pediatric dentist. Making changes without proper enquiries can spell catastrophe to some patients because going to the same dental office and looking at familiar faces helps ease the patient’s mind. In such cases, pediatric dentists happily continue to treat adult patients.

Dental Insurance

Dental insurance is another consideration that requires attention. Dental insurance providers cover services for pediatric dentistry and general dentistry but have different dentists in-network with them. Therefore if you are moving to another location, you can save money by visiting a dentist in-network with your insurance provider. In such cases, you may find it beneficial to switch to a general dentist a pediatric dentist is not available in the area.

Consider What Is the Best Option for Your Child

Instead of wondering when to make the transition from a pediatric dentist to a general dentist, you find it helpful to take your child to the kid’s dentistry in Dorval, QC, treating patients of all ages but having experienced professionals to manage your child’s transition calmly. Your child can continue visiting their pediatric dentist in Dorval, QC so long as they are comfortable. However, if you think it is time to transition them to a general dentist, please consider the factors mentioned in this article before you make a decision.

If you need a dental facility providing treatments to all patients regardless of age, please consider visiting Clinique Dentaire Dorval to determine whether the facility is suitable for your child.

Call Now Book an Appointment
© 2024 Clinique Dentaire Dorval | Privacy Policy | Web Design, Digital Marketing & SEO By Adit
Click to listen highlighted text!