As parents, it seems that we are faced with endless decisions about how to raise our children to be healthy and productive members of society. We face decisions about what to feed our children, what schools they should go to, and whether we as parents will be working parents or stay-at-home parents. We must decide which professionals we will partner with to help us best care for our kids. Towards the top of the list of the many decisions we must make, we need to decide if our children will see a general practitioner or pediatrician, family dentist, or pediatric dentist.

Just What Is a Pediatric Dentist?

If you are the parent of a young child and are trying to determine if you should take your child to see a pediatric dentist, you probably want to know exactly what a pediatric dentist is. The truth is that pediatric dentists offer the same types of services as a dentist for adults. Typical pediatric dental services include checkups, dental cleanings, fillings, crowns, sealants, and the like. Just like your dentist, a pediatric dentist will work with your child to aid in the prevention, detection, and treatment of potential oral concerns.

Pediatric and general dentists receive a similar education. Most dentists will earn an undergraduate degree and then pursue a doctoral degree in dental medicine or dental surgery as part of their four-year dental program. In most cases, there isn’t a specific undergraduate degree required. Instead, those aspiring to go into dentistry will often major in something science-related such as biology, anatomy, chemistry, and microbiology.

After completing a recognized dental program, pediatric dentists will take at least two years as a dental resident to gain experience in the pediatric dentist field. Once that residency has been completed, an exam is taken for licensure. Family dentists or general dentists will undergo a similar postgraduate process.

Benefits Parents Should Know About Visiting a Pediatric Dentist

Now that you understand that a pediatric dentist has the same educational background and credentials as a general dentist, you are likely wondering then, what are the benefits of a pediatric dentist? Understanding the benefits of visiting a pediatric dentist will prepare you for what to expect during your baby’s first dental appointment. And, if you are currently seeing a general dentist, it might be helpful to know what to expect at your older child’s first visit to a pediatric dentist.

1. A pediatric dentists specializes in dentistry for children.

Though pediatric dentists and general dentists undergo the same education, pediatric dentists dedicate much of their studies to learning how to work with children. This means that your pediatric dentist will better understand common childhood behaviors, food and beverage preferences, and other factors that might impact your child’s oral health.

2. A pediatric dentist undergoes specialized training on how to deal with children.

Perhaps you remember your first visit to the dentist as a child. The chances are that you were scared, or if you weren’t scared, you were at least a bit squirrelly. After all, it is hard for little ones to sit in a chair for the 30 to 60 minutes that it can often take for a typical dental visit. When you take your child to see a pediatric dentist, you can rest assured that the dentists, such as the dentists at Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry, have been well-trained on working with children and have a few tricks up their sleeve to help your child be more comfortable and cooperative during their visit.

3. Your child will appreciate a kid-friendly office and waiting room.

Pediatric dentists know that children often have some excess energy to burn. Not only that, but young kids are curious and like to explore. One of the last things that a parent wants during their child’s trip to the dentist is an office that feels like a museum, full of items that their child could damage or break. Pediatric dental offices are child-friendly, often with toys and activities for children to explore as they wait for their appointment.

At Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry, our dental offices are kid-friendly. From high-speed Wi-Fi to touch screen tablets that allow your child to color with their hands, browse the internet, or play interactive video games, there are plenty of child-friendly stimuli available to help your child enjoy their visit.

4. Pediatric dentists leverage kid-friendly dental equipment.

In addition to the fun waiting rooms full of display cases of collectible statues and maquettes that kids and adults will enjoy, Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry boasts the latest technology to enhance the quality and comfort of your child’s dental care. Computerized offices, paperless charting, digital x-rays, needleless anesthesia, and a green office are all in place to help make your child’s visit to the dentist an easy one.

5. Pediatric dentists love kids.

Let’s face it; not everyone has a love or adoration for children. For this reason, parents certainly don’t want to take their child to a general dentist that doesn’t love children. Of course, this isn’t to say that this general dentist wouldn’t provide your child with the best care possible, but it is entirely possible that the visit might not be as seamless as it could be.

Pediatric dentists love what they do. They decided to specialize in pediatric dentistry because they recognized a unique need to create a comfortable, pleasant, and pain-free experience for today’s youth. And just as these dentists want to create an excellent experience for your child, they want to make it easy and comfortable for parents too.

Pediatric dentists understand that parents are going to have lots of questions about their child’s dental care. And those pediatric dental questions will likely be ongoing.

Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry creates a fun dental experience for children and their parents.

If you have decided that a pediatric dentist is right for your child, we can’t wait to see you. Whether it is easing your child’s dental anxiety or helping you with the dos and don’ts of dental care, we are confident that Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry will be a game changer in your child’s oral care. Give us a call at (360) 443-5404 or request an appointment on our website.

Researchers predict that pediatric dentistry will grow by 60% over the next decade. There’s a reason for the influx of interest. This is one of the most rewarding, innovative, and patient-driven fields in the industry. Dental professionals who enter this sector are driven to make a difference, one tiny smile at a time.

Today, we’re sharing 10 reasons pediatric dentists absolutely love what they do. While this job might be challenging at times, there’s nowhere else we’d rather be!

1. Our Pint-Sized Patients

One of the top reasons pediatric dentists love coming to work every day? The tiny patients, of course!

Kids are naturally honest, hilarious, and a joy to be around. While there might be a little hesitancy at first, we try to provide an environment that caters to their growing, playful mind. From our brightly colored decor to the toys and games in our waiting room, there’s no second-guessing the clientele we cater to.

2. The Chance to Introduce Healthy Habits

We know great dental care starts early. That’s why we love talking to children about the importance of brushing, flossing, and snacking smart from an early age. Even if they’re only polishing baby teeth, these daily habits can make a major difference.

It’s inspiring and encouraging to play a role in setting this foundation. As your child grows, we’ll continue to explain important concepts and share helpful tips to prevent cavities and keep their teeth healthy and strong.

3. Calming Fears

We get it. Going to the kids dentist can be an unnerving experience, especially for first-time patients. Yet, one of the most rewarding parts of our job is eliminating those fears and anxieties in young children. We love the opportunity to explain what we’re doing in simple terms and help them look forward to visiting our office! We’ll use our time together as an opportunity for discovery, identifying every tool we use and why we’re using it.

We’re also well-stocked with plenty of stickers, toys, and other treats to help comfort your child at the end of their checkup!

4. The Families and Community

We like to think of ourselves as more than a team you see twice a year. As we clean and treat your children’s teeth, we get to know your family too.

In time, we’ll learn which flavors of toothpaste one child prefers over another. We’ll discover which sibling prefers superhero toothbrushes and which one wants princesses. We’ll address any concerns you have as their primary teeth come in and help guide you toward the proper treatments if any are required.

That’s because you’re far more than a name in our system. You’re an important part of our community, and we love adding new families to our circle.

5. Our Dedicated Team of Professionals

Pediatric dentists aren’t just passionate about what they do. It’s a calling! These professionals have additional specialty training in addition to dental school to learn about children’s unique oral health needs.

As such, we’re a team that’s bonded together with a shared interest in this particular realm. As we work and learn alongside one another, we relish the opportunity to grow and encourage one another along the way.

6. Providing Restorative and Preventive Treatments

We’re in the business of making kids smile. If your child needs any form of dental treatment, we’re available to help restore and renew their appearance, along with their confidence.

A few examples of the services we provide for our pediatric patients include:

• Laser dentistry
• Preventive dental care
• Dental fillings
• Orthodontics

7. Stepping in for Emergency Care

We’ve walked our patients through some of the most unnerving moments in their lives. Did your active child fall and knock out a permanent tooth? Did they chip their tooth or cut their cheek?

These situations are no fun, and they can leave parents searching for quick answers. We’re happy to be that resource for you, providing the emergency care your child needs in times of distress. We’re well-versed in childhood dental emergencies and know the proper steps to take to ensure a successful outcome.

8. Watching Milestones

When you bring your toddler in, we’ll show you how to brush teeth that are smaller than a pinkie nail. Then, we’ll be one of the first ones to notice when those baby teeth start to feel a little loose. When that time comes, we’ll help you step into your new role as the Tooth Fairy with confidence!

We’re also there when it’s time for them to transition away from a binky, pacifier, or thumb and find another soothing mechanism. Down the road, you’ll call us when your school-age child signs up for basketball and needs to be fitted for a sports mouth guard. We cherish these age-related milestones and love walking through them with you.

9. Helping Children With Special Needs

Our dentists, hygienists, and staff members aren’t just skilled in pediatric dental care. They also have special training to help children with special needs feel especially at home in our office.

In fact, our pediatric dentists have additional training centered on assisting individuals with medical and developmental needs.

We use a variety of behavioral techniques to help calm every patient, with a specific approach tailored to your child. From showing a television show during treatment to performing knee-to-knee exams, we enjoy taking the time to understand what each patient requires and how we can help.

10. The Fun Work Environment

We’ll be honest: Our workplace is more like a playground, in the very best way. You won’t find any scary tools or intimidating machines here. Rather, you’ll encounter colorful decor, video games, and plenty of prizes!

We’re serious about our studies and are dedicated to providing premium dental care, but we also love to have fun! For an up-close look, we invite you to tour our office to see how bright and interactive it is.

Meet our pediatric dentists today.

There are a host of reasons why pediatric dentists are smiling widely underneath their masks. This profession is uplifting, challenging, and heartwarming, and we feel all of those emotions every day.

If you’re looking for a new place to take your child, we’d love to share more about what makes our office unique. Contact us today and let’s connect!

From the moment they’re born through to puberty, your child will undergo extraordinary changes. By two years old, for instance, your child may have already quadrupled their birth weight, and by age five, your child’s brain will have reached 90% of its adult size. Alongside physical growth and changes, your child will also move, at their own pace, through a wide range of behavioral phases. While your three-year-old may refuse to share with anyone, your 10-year-old may enjoy spending time with a tight circle of friends.

During this time of expansion and transformation, your child’s smile will also undergo several phases of growth and change that are vital for their physical development and long-term wellbeing. While your child’s baby teeth give them what they need to learn to chew and speak, your child’s permanent teeth will be with them for every meal and grin from their school years to old age.

“Kids Dentist Near Me”

One of the best ways to ensure your child has a positive relationship with oral health and dentistry is to find a dentist that delivers exceptional service and aligns with your child’s unique needs. As you start Googling “kids dentist near me,” you’re likely to encounter both family and pediatric dental practices, leaving you wondering which direction to take.

To help you gain the information you need to make the decision that feels right for your child and family, here’s the difference between a family dentist and a pediatric dentist, along with the advantages of bringing your child to their own oral health specialist.

What is a family dentist?

Also known as a general dentist, a family dentist offers standard dentistry services—such as preventative care and restorative treatments—to patients of all ages. Alongside receiving a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree, many family dentists have also received additional training in other areas of practice.

What is a pediatric dentist?

Like a family dentist, a pediatric dentist has received their DDS or DDM degree and can practice general dentistry—though that’s just the beginning. Once they’ve received their four-year dental degree, a pediatric dentist then pursues an additional two or three years of specialized training that focuses specifically on child development and psychology. Board-certified pediatric dentists have also passed a face-to-face exam before a panel of distinguished pediatric dentists.

Advantages of Bringing Your Child to a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist

You’re going to a kid expert…

While any dentist is able to work with children, pediatric dentists have received the most training on a child’s dental, behavioral, and emotional needs and are the most experienced when it comes to creating positive and successful dental experiences for infants, kids, and teens.

…who is skilled at treating children with special needs.

Pediatric dentists specialize in providing personalized dental care to all children, including those with special needs. With training on how to effectively provide preventative and restorative care for children with special needs, pediatric dentists are highly skilled at offering tailored, in-office dental care and at-home guidance for a child who has a physical, developmental, mental, sensory, behavioral, cognitive, or emotional condition. (At Must Love kids Pediatric dentistry, Dr. Mo help set up and run a Providence specialty dental clinic for four years before transitioning full time to her practice).

Pediatric dental offices are welcoming and kid-friendly.

Making children feel comfortable is an essential element of pediatric dentistry, which is why many offices are stocked up with books, toys, games, TV, Wi-fi, and a staff that will make your child (and you!) feel like they’re in a fun, safe place.

A pediatric dentist can help your child make (or break) oral health habits.

People of all ages benefit from getting professional support to form positive habits or discontinue unproductive ones (think personal trainer, life coach, or doctor). When it comes to helping your child make positive oral health habits (like flossing) or suspend unhelpful habits (like prolonged pacifier usage), a pediatric dentist can provide personalized, knowledgeable, and age-appropriate guidance to help you and your child move toward the desired direction.

How Dr. Mo and Dr. G Provide Your Child with Exceptional Care

Drs Monisha and Prashant Gagneja—known affectionately as Dr. Mo and Dr. G by their patients—have as much passion for working with kids as they do high recognition for their accomplishments in pediatric dentistry. While their accomplishments in pediatric dentistry are too long to list (you can read more here), here’s a peek at their dedicated dental careers.

Dr. Monisha Gagneja, BDS

After 15 years as a general dentist, Dr. Mo became a board-certified Pediatric dentist in 2009. Dr. Mo trained at the Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) School of Dentistry, and at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital to treat kids with special needs. Alongside teaching dental students and pediatric dentistry residents as a faculty member of OHSU, Dr. Mo was the founding dentist at Providence Specialty Dental Clinic in Portland, OR, which specializes in offering dentistry services to those with special healthcare needs.

Dr. Prashant Gagneja, BDS, MDS

Dr. G hasn’t stopped refining his dentistry expertise since he received his first dental degree in 1994 (he’s since gone on to complete not one but two residencies in Pediatric Dentistry). Alongside serving as the youngest department chairman, Dr. G shared his passion for pediatric dentistry, research, and teaching as both chair and associate professor of Pediatric Dentistry at OHSU for seven years.

Together, Dr. Mo and Dr. G are honored to share their passion for kids and their extensive pediatric dentistry experience with their beloved Vancouver, WA, community. To ask questions, learn more about Must Love Kids, or to schedule your child’s next appointment, contact our office today.

Finding the right pediatric dentist for you and your family plays a huge role in not only keeping your kid’s teeth healthy but also in instilling lifelong dental care habits.

Every parent wants their child to be as happy and healthy as possible. Oral health is directly linked to general health which means regular brushing, flossing, and dental checks are just as important as visits to the pediatrician.

Additionally, children who grow up regularly visiting the dentist are much more likely to continue this habit through to adulthood. This means that kids who see a dentist regularly in childhood not only have healthier teeth, but also carry a higher level of oral health throughout their life.

The sheer impact a good dentist for kids can have on your child makes it imperative that parents take the time to find the best one for them. The more positive your child’s experiences are with the dentist, the better!

The Difference Between a Family Dentist and a Pediatric Dentist

If you’re actively searching for a new pediatric dentist, chances are the first thing you did was hop onto Google and search for something like, “kid’s dentist near me” or “Vancouver kid’s dentist.” This type of search will bring up local dentists that accept children as patients, however, it doesn’t mean every dentist is a pediatric dentist.

As a parent, you might not realize the differences between a family dentist and a pediatric dentist. At face value, they may seem very similar, especially if the family dentist really markets towards kid’s dental care. In reality, they’re two different types of dentistry.

Family Dentists

Family dentists are usually general dentists who also treat children. While most general dentists have a minimum patient age requirement (i.e. 12 or older), family dentists generally accept children of all ages. Family dentists provide a range of dental services, and while they may be great with kids, they don’t have specialized pediatric training.

Pediatric Dentists

A better option is to look for a board-certified pediatric dentist, especially if your child is very young (between newborn and 12 years old). A board-certified pediatric dentist is a dentist that not only specializes in pediatric dental care in practice but also has the training to back up their passion.

Pediatric dentists start their careers with the same training as family dentists, but they undergo an additional two to three years or more of pediatric dental training. They’ll have gone through the rigors of intensive training and testing to prove their ability and knowledge specializing in kid’s dental care.

After these additional years of specialization, they chose to appear in a voluntary rigorous examination to be board certified and attain a fellow status.

The Advantage of Pediatric Dentists

Hands down, the biggest advantage of going with a pediatric dentist is their specialized experience in treating youngsters.

Not only do they have an in-depth understanding of children’s oral health at a medical level, but they also have a greater understanding of how to work with children. This includes shaping their behavior and experiences in a positive manner, treating issues and pursuing treatment in an effective way, and making kids feel safe, comfortable, and secure.

Pediatric dental offices are also designed in a much more kid-friendly way, with plenty of activities to keep little ones busy in the waiting room and content in the chair. Take a look at our Facilities and Equipment page to see how Must Love Kids has outfitted its office specifically with little patients in mind.

Get word-of-mouth honesty by researching online patient reviews.

The next step in finding the perfect pediatric dentist is to scour online patient reviews. Back in the day, most people relied heavily on word-of-mouth recommendations when it came to finding a new pediatric dentist for their kids. Nowadays, online reviews found on unbiased sites have the same effect.

You can find unbiased reviews on Google and rateabiz.com. Since these are third-party sites, many parents trust them more than a dentist’s personal website or Facebook page. However, don’t forget to check those websites out as well!

Here are some of the great patient reviews you can find written by Must Love Kids patients’ parents:

• “We all had a great time when the kids got their teeth cleaned. I was a little jealous but I had a great time visiting with the awesome Doctors and friendly staff. My legs are still a little sore from the video games but it was worth it.” —Becky James Arthur
• “Dr. Mo and Dr. G and their staff are the best! My son feels so welcome and at home with them and the office is amazing! We wouldn’t go anywhere else!” —Leslie Callihan
• “I cannot say enough good things about this husband and wife team. They not only have dentistry knowledge but have an amazing rapport with the children they see. Last summer they helped walk us through dental surgery for my nephews who were staying with us. I was so nervous but felt confident that they were in good hands. I was amazed by the attention to detail and the time allocated to ensuring that I was comfortable and had all my questions and concerns answered. They were patient and never made me feel that my concerns were dumb or not valued. Beyond that, they both impacted the kids view of dentist offices too. Lets face it, going to the dentist is not always a pleasant idea for kiddos. Sometimes it can take some coaxing. After just one visit for their cleanings, all of my kids were looking forward to going back. In fact, we are truthfully a bit late for our routine check up because we were waiting for the grand opening. All 6 of my kids will continue to see them as long as they can. Can’t wait to see the new office, our appointments are booked!” —Angel Nettles-Slot

Call your prospective pediatric dentist and ask important questions.

Last but not least, the final step in finding the best pediatric dentist for your family is to call up the office and ask some questions.

Here are a few questions to ask either the office staff or the dentist directly:

• Are you currently accepting new patients? Are there age limits?
• What training does the pediatric dentist have?
• How long has the dentist been practicing? Does he/she pursue continued education?
• Does the dentist have experience working with special needs kids?
• How does the dentist handle working with nervous kids?
• What insurance does the office accept?
• What’s the policy on missed or canceled appointments?
• Does the office allow for weekend appointments?

Keep in mind that most pediatric dentists are very busy and the office staff may not be able to answer every question. In that case, they’ll simply take your name and number and have the dentist contact you when they have a free moment. You can also ask any questions on our live online chat on our website.

After the questions phase, you can move onto scheduling a consultation appointment to meet your child’s new dentist in person and have a comprehensive exam completed.

Schedule an appointment to experience the Must Love Kids difference.

When you’re ready to schedule your child’s first appointment with Must Love Kids, all you need to do is give us a call at 360.450.2999 or fill out the convenient appointment form on our Contact Us page. Scroll down on that page and you’ll also be able to double-check that your child’s insurance is accepted by our office prior to making your appointment.

Once your child’s consultation is booked you can head over to our Patient Forms page to register online. This is optional, but it does help our busy parents save time on filling out their child’s new patient registration paperwork and medical history. After the form has been completed and sent, it’ll be entered into our system and we’ll be able to check you and your child in much more quickly during the actual appointment.

We want to help your child build a great relationship with their dentist and establish a healthy oral care routine to last them a lifetime. We can’t wait to help take care of your child’s oral health care needs.

There are many benefits that come from allowing your kids to come to the treatment room by themselves. As your pediatric dental team at Must Love Kids, we have specialized training to help your child have positive experiences and set them up for a lifetime of loving the dentist! You can feel rest assured knowing that letting your child experience dental care on their own helps to establish habits that will help their smile looking great for a lifetime.

Here are a few of the biggest reasons why parents should consider letting their kids come back to the treatment room on their own.

Developing Rapport With Your Child

We would like the opportunity to become friends with your child! Each child has their own unique personalities and we would like to get to know them individually. By developing a rapport with your child, we are able to better guide them through their visit. Even procedures that are traditionally thought to be uncomfortable, such as extraction or injection, can be completed easily if we are able to talk them through what they’ll hear and feel. Children are open to the power of suggestion and relaxation, and that works even better if we have a friendly connection. It’s our specialty!

A Distracted Dentist Cannot Perform To The Best of Their Abilities

There are laws about distracted driving, but what about distracted dentistry? Your child deserves our full attention. Many times pediatric dentists say we actually have two patients in the room, the child and the parent. Naturally, in this type of environment, we have to split our attention. If we are performing a procedure, we want to keep the focus on your child so as to not compromise the quality of our care. Your child will be with one of our fantastic dental assistants the entire time, keeping them entertained. Don’t worry, we still love you, even if we ask you to step out!

What Does The Research Say?

There are numerous studies and an abundance of evidence that children cooperate better when given independence in the dental office. Not only can we create a special rapport, but your child will look to us as specialists for guidance.

Nervous or anxious parents bring that energy to the treatment room. Your child knows you, and if you are nervous, they get nervous. Instead, allow us as the cool, calm dentist to transfer positive energy to your child. As parents, we may not realize that our actions and preconceived notions about the dentist can transfer to our children at home. Let’s all make an effort to stay positive about dental visits and get them excited for their appointments!

What Should I Do While I Wait?

Breathe. Please enjoy a cup of coffee from our gourmet selection. Even though you are an adult you are always welcome to have a little fun on our arcade games or review some of our reading materials. Please, make yourself at home and relax. Enjoy the day!

— Chelsea Zamudio DDS