Being responsible for a young child means that you need to have access to doctors and other medical professionals to take care of their health. The same applies to dentistry, as the average kid enjoys eating sweets and is likely to have tooth decay if dental care is not adequately practiced at home.

When looking for a pediatric dentist for your young child, you should look beyond their professional and doctoral degree. More than their educational qualifications, you should choose someone who you know will give the best care for your child. As such, you should look into how they communicate and interact with their patients.

With that said, here are five important traits that you should look for in a pediatric dentist:

Trait #1: Friendly

Since they will be working with your kids, you must find a dentist who will know how to communicate with your children. When they encounter a friendly dentist, your child will be less likely to fear going in for treatment. They will feel more comfortable and confident when having routine dental checkups. 

Trait #2: Patient

Kids are known to be playful and active, which can make routine checkups challenging for their dentist. Aside from that, kids have different attitudes towards different people. Some of them can be rude to the people they are talking to. Therefore, apart from being friendly, a dentist should be patient enough to handle children. Patience is crucial for them to get the trust of your children and perform proper dentistry procedures.

Trait #3: Gentle and Careful

As mentioned, kids can be scared of the pain associated with dental checkups. Since dentists sometimes use sharp tools to do their work, they must practice a high level of care in performing dental procedures. For instance, dentists use larger tools when performing tooth extraction or cavity filling. One wrong move can hurt their little patients. In the worst scenarios, that can lead to severe injuries. 

Trait #3: Knowledgeable in Their Field

Most dentists have particular specialties. Some focus on treating dental diseases, while others specialize in general dental care. While having a specific expertise is good, it is also beneficial for them to know related fields to better diagnose and treat their patients. For instance, one should know how to identify various dental concerns to refer their patients to the appropriate dental professionals.

Trait #5: Compassionate and Honest

Similar to a parent, a pediatric dentist should know how to show compassion and understanding to children. Instead of lecturing a little patient about having tooth decay, they should approach them in a nurturing way. Doing so will help make the child feel safe and cared for. Additionally, a dentist should also be honest in order to help parents and children understand the situation better and enjoy better dental health.

Conclusion

Working with children as a dentist can be challenging and tiring, and that can affect the dentist’s performance. That is why, as a parent, you should look for someone who can handle treating your children well. More than their credentials, you should access their personal and professional traits.

If you are looking for the best pediatric dentist in Edmonton, get in touch with us today. We ensure that our clients get expert dental services, whether they need an emergency dentist or cosmetic dentist, as their health and wellbeing is our priority.