A pediatric dentist specializes in children’s oral health from infancy through adolescence, with training tailored to kids’ unique dental needs.
Understanding the importance of specialized dental care for children is essential, especially when deciding on the best oral care for your young ones. In this article, we’ll discuss what a pediatric dentist is and highlight the unique aspects of their expertise, ensuring you make the best decisions for your child’s dental needs.
Understanding Pediatric Dentistry
A pediatric dentist is much like a pediatrician but in the dental world. They specialize in treating the oral health needs of children from infancy through adolescence. These dentists understand the unique dental issues of children, including growth and development, cavity prevention, and the challenges of primary (baby) teeth loss and the eruption of permanent teeth.
Our adult daughter has cerebral palsy and requires being fully sedated when having anything done. The DAC was such a positive experience. Dr Hoffmann and his staff were kind and did great explaining things. As a mom, I had a lot of questions about how certain things would be done as usually she’s in her chair when getting examined at her local dentist and they had everything under control including transferring from her chair to the dentist chair and keeping her secured in the dentist chair as well as keeping her neck and legs comfortable. Many thanks to them!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words. We’re grateful for your trust and happy to hear that you had such a positive experience with our team. Our goal is always to provide compassionate, attentive care in a safe and comfortable environment. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
TWENTY YEARS! That is how long our special needs son has been seeing Dr Hoffman and his dedicated team! Our son suffers from an intellectual disability, is non-verbal, and is unable to cooperate for dental cleaning, x-rays, or other routine dental work. He requires general anesthesia. It is such a blessing to avoid a hospital setting just for dental work.
The team is always well staffed, friendly, personable and very professional. Every single year we have been supported by a deeply caring team who are dedicated to patients with a very wide range of disabilities and needs. They have shared useful dental advice and tools (3 sided toothbrushes, blocks to hold open their mouth for daily at-home care, etc.) which improved our son’s daily dental care. We always receive a call back the day after to check his recovery-even on weekends!
Highly recommended and so appreciative to have this team supporting our ever long road of raising a special needs son.
Response from the owner:Wow — thank you for sharing such a heartfelt review! We are so grateful for your trust and for allowing our team to be part of your family’s journey over the years. It means so much to us to know that our care and support have made a difference. We truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation!
We've been coming to Dr.Hoffman for twenty years. There's a reason we keep coming back! He's great. His staff is great. He's double boarded as an MD (Anesthesia) and DDS!!! Our son with special needs needs sedation for even a cleaning. You get what you pay for. He's expensive and... we know he's getting the best care!
Response from the owner:Thank you for trusting our team over the years and for your kind words about Dr. Hoffmann and our staff. We truly value your confidence in the care we provide!
Omg!! This place is Amazing! The people who work here are so very nice and understanding. I love this team
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We truly appreciate your support and are grateful to have such wonderful patients.
Searching for a new dental clinic is challenging for someone who has
dental anxiety, fear, and traumatic experiences in a dental chair. The staff and doctors at the Dental Anesthesia Center were immediately very welcoming. Dr. Thoms put together a very detailed plan to repair and replace the previous work that I had in the past that was now causing problems. Putting my faith in him was the best thing that I could have done for my situation. I am more than completely satisfied with all of the extensive dental work that I’ve had with Dr.Thoms. I had my fourth sleep dentistry experience yesterday and I’m very happy with my results. I highly recommend this practice and truly want to give them more than five stars! Thank you for giving me back my health and confidence.
Response from the owner:We know it isn’t always easy to find a dental office where you feel at ease, so your words mean the world to us. We’re so glad you feel comfortable with our team and truly appreciate your trust and recommendation!
Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist?
Children are not just small adults; their dental needs are distinctly different. Here’s why opting for a pediatric dentist can be the right choice for your child:
- Specialized Training: Pediatric dentists are uniquely qualified to protect your child’s oral health. This specialization enables them to quickly identify issues peculiar to children, leading to faster, more accurate diagnoses and treatments.
- Child-friendly Environment: Pediatric dental offices are often designed to make children comfortable. From the decor to the staff, every element is arranged to reduce dental anxiety and make the experience as pleasant as possible.
- Behavior Management: Children can sometimes be nervous, especially during their first dental visit. Pediatric dentists and their staff are trained to help kids feel at ease and cooperate during procedures.
- Prevention: Pediatric dentists emphasize the importance of early oral hygiene habits, guiding parents and children toward cavity prevention and healthy dietary choices.
Dental Care for Children with Special Needs
Finding a dental care provider who can cater to the specific needs of children with special needs is crucial. At The Dental Anesthesia Center: Sedation and Sleep Dentistry in St. Louis, our team is well-equipped and experienced in treating children with various special needs, including:
The Dental Anesthesia Center understands the intricate needs of each child. Our trained professionals are adept at ensuring that every visit is tailored to meet the child’s requirements, offering a safe, compassionate, and comfortable environment.
St. Louis Pediatric Dentistry
Children’s oral health plays a crucial role in their overall well-being. Choosing the right dental care provider is paramount, whether it’s a routine dental checkup or more specialized care.
If you reside in or around St. Louis and are looking for pediatric dental care, especially for children with special needs, The Dental Anesthesia Center: Sedation and Sleep Dentistry is here for you. Our commitment is to ensure your child receives the best care possible in a comfortable, patient-focused environment.
