FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When should my child be seen by a dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics each promote the standard that a child’s first dental visit should take place before the first birthday.  The purpose of this first visit is to establish a familiarity between family members and the dental-care providers.  As well,  this is an opportunity for family members to become more informed of general oral-healthcare interests.  The first visit should then be followed with subsequent visits at regular intervals.

Why should my child be seen by a ‘PEDIATRIC’ dentist?
Basically, for the same reasons you have your child seen by a pediatrician rather than your own primary-care provider.  A pediatric dentist has an additional two to three years of specialty training after dental school; time dedicated to the study of oral-healthcare for individuals between infancy and adolescence.  This provides a pediatric dentist with the comprehensive understanding of the developmental considerations -- physiological and behavioral -- necessary to deliver optimal care for a child‘s evolving needs.

Why worry about “baby” teeth if they are going to be lost?
Primary teeth are very important to your child’s development of healthy permanent teeth, and, certainly, to your child’s general health.  Primary teeth provide for proper consumption of food by biting and chewing, proper development of bones and muscles of the face, proper speech, and proper development and positioning of permanent teeth.  Neglect of the primary teeth not only compromises these functions, but may even provide a source for disease or infection capable of spreading throughout the body.  Ideally, the front four primary teeth (of the upper and lower jaws) are maintained until replaced by the permanent teeth, between 6 to 7 years of age.  The remaining teeth (cuspids, 1st and 2nd molars) should then be maintained until replaced, between 10 to 13 years of age.

What are the costs?  Is insurance accepted?
Costs vary with the services provided.  When you schedule an appointment, GPCD will request the intended method of payment.  Cash, MasterCard, VISA, and debit-cards are accepted.  Personal checks may be accepted from individuals with an established payment history.  Every reasonable effort will be made to provide treatment which works for your budget and schedule.  Please understand that GPCD treatment plans must comply with professional standards of care, and that payment for treatment is due at the time of delivery.  GPCD costs are consistent with usual, customary, reasonable fees for dental specialists in our region.  The estimated costs for any required treatment(s) will be provided at the time GPCD presents you with a proposed treatment plan.   
If the intended method of payment includes insurance, GPCD will be pleased to confirm in-network status, your enrollment, and the benefits of your contract prior to your appointment.  It is important to note: (1) GPCD confirms your contracted benefits, but does not control how those benefits are managed by the insurance company; (2) the insurance company does not control GPCD usual, customary, reasonable fees; and (3) you are responsible for payment of services not covered by your contract with the insurance company.
GPCD will also be pleased to file electronically your claim for you, but you must be familiar with your insurance benefits as we will collect from you the estimated amount insurance is not expected to pay.

What happens if my child doesn’t cooperate?
A child’s behavior is influenced by many variables.  The dental office environment can be stressing.  Stories heard with alarm-language like “shots,” “drills,” and “pulled-teeth,” as well as the close proximity of dental-care providers can create great anxiety for anyone -- especially for a child.  Cooperation may, therefore, be negatively influenced.  GPCD considers patience and understanding essential to providing quality care.  And, certainly, cooperative behavior is an essential component to safe treatment.  Every effort is made to earn cooperation through TLC and behavioral management techniques.  However, GPCD will consider a variety of care options with you if treatment is required but cooperative behavior cannot be adequately obtained.  It is important for there to exist a sense of teamwork between families and their care-providers.  While a variety of philosophies and methods for behavior management exist, it is not expected all to be automatically accepted by family as “necessary” or “appropriate.”  An exchange of questions, concerns, options, and insights will generally help to ensure all efforts are properly coordinated.  You are asked to be mindful that the GPCD staff is trained and experienced in helping children with anxiety, and that the GPCD staff is mindful of how they would want their own children to be treated.  The shared objective is to provide necessary care in a manner which does not compromise future prospects for cooperative behavior.  GPCD wants to help our young patients grow to be comfortable and confident patients for life.   

Am I allowed to stay with my child for his/her appointment?
This depends on the nature of the appointment.  One parent per family may be present during appointments for examination and hygiene.  This can help to establish a familiarity between family members and the dental-care providers, and is an opportunity for family members to become better informed of current oral-health conditions.  GPCD considers the opportunity to know and understand your child as an individual extremely important.  If a child has difficulty interacting with or accepting care from GPCD staff, focusing instead on parent, it may be necessary for parent to be absent.  For reasons of gaining and maintaining focus necessary for patient safety, parents are not present during appointments for restorative treatments.  Anxiety from any separation is normal. It may even result in some negative behavior.  This, however, is typically of short-duration because either (1) the child becomes comforted by the manner of interactions with doctor and staff, or (2) doctor and staff discontinue interactions to consider alternative options with parent.  This method balances the interests of parental access and a personalized doctor-patient relationship.  It is similar to the parent-teacher-student dynamic.  Consistency demonstrates that most children near or of school-age respond positively.   

Will my child’s fixed tooth be tooth- or silver-colored?
This depends on the material necessary to restore your child’s tooth to health.  GPCD does not use silver-colored dental amalgam (filling material which contain low levels of mercury -- researched to be safe, but are currently controversial).  Teeth toward the back of the mouth requiring extensive treatment mayrequire the structural support provided by a stainless steel crown, which is silver-colored.  Teeth toward the front of the mouth, or teeth toward the back of the mouth requiring minor to moderate treatment are typically provided composite resin filling material, which is matched to approximate the natural shade of your child’s tooth.  A more natural appearance is one of the benefits to early-detection and early-treatment.    

How do I schedule an appointment for my child?
The office attempts to schedule appointments based on times available and convenient.  General guidelines for scheduling do exist, based on the nature of the appointment.  Children not yet in school should be seen in the morning because they are rested and alert, and more time can be provided them based on their comfort and acceptance. Children under 10 years of age requiring moderate to extensive amounts of treatment should be seen in the morning for the same reasons.  Dental appointments are an excused school absence.  Minimal school/work absence is one of the benefits to early-detection and early-treatment.    

What if I cannot keep my child’s appointment?
Since appointed times are reserved exclusively for each patient, GPCD requests that you please notify our office at least 24 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment time if you are unable to keep your appointment.  Another patient who requiring our care could be scheduled if we have sufficient time to notify them.  We realize that unexpected things can happen, but we ask for your assistance in this regard.  A 2nd missed appointment or cancellation without reasonable notification can result in dismissal from our office.

Please contact GPCD for additional questions about policies and procedures.  And for additional research-based information about oral-health, visit www.aapd.org.