Every dentist must graduate from dental school and complete a dental residency before they can begin to practice. Dental specialists, including pediatric dentists, undergo two or more years of additional training to earn their specialist certification, which brings expertise that helps ensure successful treatment no matter what the concerns are. Because these dentists are specialists, their services tend to cost more than general dentists, though the amount of increase varies dramatically between specializations. While pediatric dentists do tend to charge a little more than general dentists, the amount is almost inconsequential, especially in light of the additional experience and expertise they bring. Pediatric dentists are specifically trained in conditions and issues commonly seen in younger patients, and they are also trained in establishing rapport with their patients, reducing misgivings about going to the dentist and forming a relationship that encourages a lifetime of good oral hygiene. All things considered, the slight increase in cost comes with some considerable benefits and shouldn’t be a deterrent.
If you have dental insurance for your child, there’s a good chance that the co-pay for a pediatric dentist is the same as for a general dentist, making the choice even easier. If your child doesn’t have dental insurance, the difference is marginal, and most dental practices work with financing providers to make budgeting manageable. There are some tried-and-true ways to keep dental costs down, too. Scheduling regular dental checkups for your child is one way to prevent the potentially catastrophic expense of complicated dental procedures. Teaching them to brush and floss properly, which means brushing gently with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and flossing or otherwise cleaning between the teeth daily, also plays a major role in preventing more costly complications. Teach your children to enjoy sugary drinks and candy only occasionally, if at all, and encourage them to brush after consuming such treats.
The average cost for a dental checkup for a child without dental insurance is about $75 to $100, and additional procedures like x-rays aren’t usually included in this cost. Dentists recommend that children see their dentist twice a year for checkups, and this might be manageable if you’re only paying for one child, but the costs can add up when there’s more than one mouth to pay for. If you have more than one child, consider getting dental insurance for your children. It is estimated that nearly half of US children don’t have dental insurance; this is often because insured parents don’t feel that it’s necessary. In reality, costs can accumulate, and if the child has any oral health issues, treatment costs also add up, so it’s not a bad idea to look into dental insurance for your child or children if this is an option for you. For uninsured patients, many practices offer third-party financing options, which are especially useful when complicated cases arise. It is for these complicated cases that the expertise of pediatric dentists is especially beneficial, and these cases seem less complicated – and less scary – for young patients when they know and trust their dentist. It is recommended that infants first visit the dentist at the time that their first tooth erupts at around six months, and the relationship built between the patient and the dentist after that first visit can confer immeasurable benefits for your child’s oral health and peace of mind.