My daughter has been going to see our dentist for a while, but honestly, she hates it. They’re not good with children. In fact, my daughter is the only child I have seen in their office. I wonder if they just agreed to see her because my family has been there since they opened. I am thinking about taking her to a pediatric dentist, but I wondered if they are a lot more expensive than your basic family dentist. I’m a single mom and am barely making ends meet so any money I can save is more than just useful, it’s a necessity.

Sammi

Dear Sammi,

Location, Location, Location

In general, each dental office will set there own prices. That being said, there are some things to be aware of. First, pediatric dentists are specialists so they will often have higher fees. This is not the case with all of them, but it is with most. A second factor is the location of the dentist. Big cities cost more than small towns. Even within the cities, the location will matter. Wealthier areas cost more.

Using Dental Insurance to Your Advantage

If you have dental insurance, make sure you go in-network if at all possible. That will help the prices to remain mostly equitable. Dentists within a plan have to charge the prices required by the network. Additionally, with most insurance plans, dental cleanings are covered 100%. This is a huge advantage for you because preventative care saves you a lot of money.

General Dentists Who Are Good with Children

Most general dentists do not treat children regularly. However, there are some family dentists who actually enjoy treating children and know how to make them feel comfortable in the chair and to have some fun while they are there. They’ve done a pediatric rotation and are qualified to care for your child. That may be an option you want to explore.

One way to know how good they are with children is to ask when they first want to see them. If they want to wait until the child is five or more years old, then don’t bother. You want a dentist who is willing to see a two year old.

This blog is brought to you by Decatur, AL Dentists Drs. Drake and Wallace.