Early Intervention, Healthier Smiles: Why Pediatric Dentists Do It Best
Picture it: your precious baby smiles up at you, and you spot it: your baby’s first tooth. Questions fly through your head: do I need to brush his teeth? How do I brush her teeth? When do I need to take him to the dentist? Who can help me figure all this out?
The experts at Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan are here for you.
With each having over 10 years of pediatric dentistry experience, Drs. Katie Swanson, Stephanie Kloostra and Taryn Weil have you covered.
They’ll help you learn how to care for your kids’ teeth, ensure dental problems are caught early, and provide the best possible treatment in a safe and child-centered environment.
Psst! The dentists at Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan are regularly voted into the Top 10 dentists in West Michigan in our annual top docs awards.
Do I Really Need to See a Pediatric Dentist?
The short answer: yes.
“You take your kids to see a pediatrician – a medical doctor who specializes in children – for their general health issues,” says Dr. Katie Swanson. “Why wouldn’t you do the same for their oral health?”
Like pediatricians, a pediatric dentist has extra schooling and training:
| Pediatric Dentists Additional Training |
|---|
| 4 years of Dental School after receiving a Bachelors degree |
| 2-3 years Pediatric Dentistry Residency program at a children’s hospital |
| Pediatric behavior management |
| Children with special health care needs |
| Pediatric mouth care |
| Orthodontics |
| Dental trauma |
With this advanced experience and knowledge, pediatric dentists are better equipped to treat children’s mouths than general dentists who lack this additional training.
Protecting Tiny Smiles
When you see a pediatric dentist at Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan, you can be sure you’re getting amazing care for your child.
All of the dentists are Board Certified Pediatric Dentists. They follow the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and American Board of Pediatric Dentistry to catch possible issues early.
Since their enamel is thinner, cavities in baby teeth can progress faster. The dentists at PDS know this. “We know how to properly treat children’s mouths,” says Dr. Stephanie.
Each child at Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan has a personalized treatment plan, according to their unique needs including:
- Age
- Medical history
- Dental history
- Income level
- Dietary habits
- Oral hygiene habits
“If parents brought their kids to a pediatric dentist from the start,” explains Dr. Katie, “we could treat their children more conservatively rather than waiting for another dentist to refer them to us when it’s sometimes too late to save a tooth.”
What to Expect at PDS
Drs. Katie, Stephanie and Taryn don’t want your kids to be scared to go to the dentist. Great care is given to making kids feel comfortable and easing their anxiety.
The office is full of toys and stuffed animals – and even a Tooth Fairy Cabin in the waiting room.
Kids get special colorful booster seats in the exam chairs and can play on an iPad during their exam.
Of course, after the visit, kids can choose a toy from the massive prize area.
Get Knee-to-Knee With Your Dentist
Parents can expect a “knee-to-knee exam” with their youngest children. In these exams, you will sit on the exam chair and hold your child in your lap while Drs. Katie, Stephanie or Taryn do their exam.
The dentists also check for tongue and lip ties, enlarged tonsils, and any signs of dental trauma.
“Since we have orthodontic training, we can spot issues early,” says Dr. Katie. “It’s important to refer a child to an orthodontist at the appropriate time to allow for the best long-term results. Waiting too long to see an orthodontist may result in more serious long-term issues with the growth and development of the jaws.”
“The first few visits are a lot of talking,” explains Dr. Katie. Along with cleaning the teeth, they talk to parents about how to brush your child’s teeth, fluoride, tooth decay, toothbrushes and everything else related to their kids’ oral health. They’ll also answer any questions you have.
Specialized Training for Special Mouths
Whether it’s a faceplant on the sidewalk or a tumble in the bathtub, dental trauma can happen.
The pediatric dentists at Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan know how each injury or issue affects a child’s mouth and how to treat it properly.
They also have specialized training in advanced behavior management techniques to ensure even the littlest or most anxious child can be cared for in a way that is best suited for their needs.
“While many children can benefit from using nitrous oxide to complete dental treatment, we also offer oral sedation, IV sedation, or general anesthesia as additional treatment modalities to provide kids with a safe and comfortable experience,” adds Dr. Taryn.
More Details About Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan
West Michigan families love the doctors at Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan! “We have patients who travel four hours to see us,” remarks Dr. Katie. They recognize that it’s worth the inconvenience to know their kids are getting the best care possible.
All three dentists are board-certified pediatric dentists and Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. They all trained at world-renowned children’s hospitals.
| Provider Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Katie Swanson | – Regularly voted into the Top 10 in our annual Top Docs awards – Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry – Certified through the American Board of Laser Surgery – Studied pediatric dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia |
| Dr. Stephanie Kloostra | – Regularly voted into the Top 10 in our annual Top Docs awards – Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry – Certified through the American Board of Laser Surgery – Studied pediatric dentistry at Mott Children’s Hospital |
| Dr. Taryn Weil | – Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry – Certified through the American Board of Laser Surgery – Studied pediatric dentistry at Children’s National Medical Center and George Washington University in Washington, DC |
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan is not just for emergencies. Your child should be seeing a pediatric dentist every six months to receive the specialized care they need for optimal oral health.
Protect your child’s beautiful teeth and ensure a lifetime of good oral health by scheduling your consultation today.
