FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. We go to a dentist. What makes a pediatric dentist so special?
A. Pediatric dentists take an extra two to three years to focus exclusively on the oral health, growth and development of children.
Just like a pediatrician is a doctor specific for children, a pediatric dentist is a dentist specific to children. Not all dentists that treat kids are pediatric dentists, and not all pediatric dentists are board certified. By no means is this required, but it was important for Dr. Kwak to achieve the highest level of accreditation to care for your child.Dr. Kwak is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist through the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD), which means he took steps further to go through a rigorous training and a voluntary examination process to receive the highest possible credentials within the field of pediatric dentistry. The board certification provides assurance to the public that the dental care being provided is based on the standards of excellence that lead to the highest quality oran health care for infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special health care needs. For more information, visit www.abpd.org.
Q. Am I allowed to be in the room with my child?
A. Of course! All we ask is that our team gets the opportunity to work with your child.
A lot of times parents are trying to be helpful, but sometimes they are inadvertently creating more anxiety in their children. For example, a parent that keeps asking their child, “are you ok?” might make the child think, “why does my mom/dad keep asking me if I am ok? Am I in danger?” We will find ways to allow the parents to speak, but it’s always in a way to show that You, Your Child, and Our Team are all part of the same team. (As they say, “teamwork makes the dream work.”) Sometimes on very anxious children, Dr. Kwak may ask the parent to stand out of eyesight of the child but still able to observe and listen.In rare cases, it is best for parents to be out of the room so that Dr. Kwak can gain the attention of your child. Every room has glass windows that allow for observation.
Q. Can my child's grandparent or a caregiver bring in my child in my place during a visit?
A. Yes, with proper authorization documentation from the legal guardian prior to your scheduled appointment time. For your child's initial visit with us, we highly encourage a legal guardian to accompany the patient if possible so that we can get to know you!
We request a letter stating who the accompanying adult and their relationship to your child is with the date and authorization for them to transport to and from our practice. There is an authorization form a legal guardian must sign. If any treatment is needed, a legal guardian will be the only one that may sign for treatment. Our team will call each parent afterwards and review all findings with them.Q. I have dental insurance. What does it typically cover?
A. Every dental plan is different. In fact, coverage from the same provider can be split up into separate tiers!
Generally, most insurance plans will cover preventive and diagnostic care at 100% and provide partial benefits for other services, which can range from 50% to 80%. It’s also important to remember that most plans have caps on their coverage, although paying a higher premium may result in a larger amount. For more informtion on dental insurance, please visit our DENTAL INSURANCE page.Q. My child grinds their teeth at night. Is this okay?
A. It usually bothers us more than the child.
It is common for children to grind their teeth at younger ages. Our team will check to see if any intervention needs to be made but often times your child will grow out of it and just needs to be observed.Q. We don't believe in fluoride. Can we choose not to use it?
A. We understand this is a controversial topic. All we ask is that we have a conversation about it.
Our staff is here to to discuss and work with you to see what best suits your child. If you ultimately refuse it, Dr. Kwak and his team will make other recommendations for your child.Q. Trying to brush my kid's teeth is like wrestling an alligator. What can I do to make it easier?
A. Start young and help your little one understand that dental care doesn't hurt them.
Introduce toothbrushes and floss in a non-threatening manner at a young age so they understand it is nothing to be scared of and they feel comfortable using them. Also, remember that young children learn by playing. Let them watch you brush your teeth or even brush your teeth. (Maybe wear safety goggles just in case!)- Educate them on good dental care
Read a book and watch videos about brushing and going to the dentist. (Please visit PREPARING YOUR CHILD page for our favorite books and videos!) Remember introducing things in a calm manner can go a long way for your child’s first experience.- Get them used to having their teeth and gums touched.
Some kids want to be in control and brush on their own. Tell them they are a big boy/girl and let them brush, but tell them afterwards you would like a chance to brush as well to check to see how they did. Then shower them with praises. Positive reinforcement > negative reinforcement.- Sing songs or even make up your own songs!
Tell them, “let’s brush your teeth together.” Let your child hold the toothbrush and then you hold that same hand with the toothbrush and brush their teeth with them.
- Use a mirror to show them what you are doing.
Make sure you have a flavor toothpaste they like. Adult toothpastes are often times very minty, which kids often call spicy.
Q. My child just had a procedure done. When can he/she go back to school?
A. This depends on what was done.
On any younger kids that may have received local anesthesia (sleepy juice), we recommend holding off and watching your child. Our teachers can be so busy teaching our young students and your child may not be able to be monitored as well as he/she should be to prevent injuring themselves. With any type of sedation your child should not go to school for the remainder of the day. Often times they are fine to go the next day. Please ask us and we will make a recommendation, but ultimately this is up to you as the parent.Q. How long after a procedure can my child start eating/brushing again?
A. Your child can eat softer foods soon after.
We recommend veggie smoothies, yogurt, or sugar-free popsicles. You may be surprised that your child will be able to eat more comfortably than you expected. However, if your child is numb please avoid foods that require more chewing during that time which may cause self-inflicted trauma. Dr. Kwak always tells his patients, “imagine if you were taking a nap and then your mom came and started to bite you, would you like it? Probably not. Your lip is taking a nap and asking you not to bite it while it’s sleeping.”Once your child’s work has been completed it is important to start a great oral hygiene regimen at home. We want to focus no a preventative strategy as the basis for great oral health. Clean your child’s teeth as tolerated. If your child’s gums are sore from a procedure, try light brushing and a warm salt water rinse. If your child had an extraction that day, please avoid the extraction area for at least 24 hours and brush the other areas. Remember not to spit after an extraction so let the toothpaste and spit fall out of your child’s mouth like a bubble waterfall (remember speak the language of your child).
