Pediatric Dentist Chicago

Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist?

Pediatric Dentistry was formerly known as Pedodontics and is the dental specialty recognized by the American Dental Association which encompasses comprehensive dental care for all children, from infancy through adolescence. A children's dentist is a practitioner who, after becoming a general dentist (often called a family dentist), has completed an additional two years of post-doctoral training in the recognition and treatment of children's dental and orthodontic problems. Specialty education includes child psychology, behavior guidance, preventive techniques, restorative dentistry, interceptive and comprehensive care (braces), and the treatment of handicapped or chronically ill children. A pediatric dentist is the only dentist completely qualified in delivering comprehensive children's dental care. The dentist and staff strive to make the child's experience safe, comfortable, educational, and fun.
It is very common that parents now choose a pediatric dentist for their child's dental needs, just as they prefer a pediatrician for their child's medical needs.

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When Dentists Fear Children

By Laird Harrison, Senior Editor
February 3, 2010 -- In a series of three articles and videos during February -- Children's Dental Health Month -- DrBicuspid.com is exploring what dental professionals can do to make early childhood visits pleasant and productive for patient and provider alike.
Even if they understand directions, toddlers often refuse to follow them. They squirm, cry, puke, and wet their pants during dental visits. What teeth they have will fall out no matter what you do. So it's no wonder that many dental professionals don't want to deal with them.
"The general practice community may find it very intimidating," said John Rutkauskas, D.D.S., CEO of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). The AAPD recommends that children see a dentist by the end of their first year or within six months of the eruption of their first tooth. But surveys suggest most kids aren't making it to the dentist that early.
What's stopping them?
The ADA supports the first-year or first-tooth recommendation, as does the American Association of Public Health Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
One study of Medicaid children in North Carolina found that the earlier a child's first dental visit, the less likely the child was to need restorative or emergency dental visits over the next five years and the lower the cost of caring for the child's oral health during that time (Pediatrics, October 2004, Vol. 114:4, pp. e418-e423).
But the policy first promulgated by the AAPD in 2001 has yet to take hold. In September of 2009, only 36% (± 3%) of 914 of Americans with children younger than age 12 agreed with the first-year or first-tooth recommendation, according to a Delta Dental survey.
Previously some health organizations recommended a first dental visit by age 3. But most people aren't even following this recommendation. University of Iowa researchers writing in Pediatric Dentistry (January/February 2002, Vol. 24:1, pp. 64-68) reported that only 31% of children whose caregivers they surveyed had seen a dentist by age 3.
Other research suggests that children's fear is the biggest reason general dentists refer patients to pediatric specialists (International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, November 2007, Vol. 17:6, pp. 407-418). So how can you ease that anxiety?

The distracting dentist
Practitioners who specialize in treating children make their practices welcoming by letting the kids and their parents know what to expect, said Brian Quo, D.D.S., M.A., a Palo Alto, CA, pediatric dentist. Some pediatric specialists even offer a dental appointment without an examination, just to make friends.
Dental practices can decorate walls with posters of cartoon characters and furnish the waiting room, or even the operatory, with child-sized furniture, books, and toys. All this can make the office feel more inviting and familiar to its youngest visitors.
During the appointment, pediatric experts employ three key techniques: distraction, praise, and "tell, show, do."
With distraction, the idea is to take the child's mind off a procedure that might feel uncomfortable or frightening. Some dentists now employ electronic entertainment by using such devices as iPods, Game Boys, video goggles, or TV screens.
But when the entertainment comes from a human being, it's more likely to build rapport. Distraction can be as simple as asking a child to find his or her belly button just before you inject an anesthetic, asking about the child's interests, or suggesting that the child count how many seconds a procedure is taking.
Leticia Mendoza-Sobel, D.D.S., a pediatric dentist in Piedmont, CA, and an assistant professor at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, has made a name for herself by telling her patients stories, singing songs, and playing games.
The approach helps her as much as it does the patients. "I love children. They let me be myself and act silly," she said.
Next week: Perhaps the simplest, yet most powerful, technique for calming kids is "tell, show, do." The second article in this series will demonstrate how to make this approach work in your practice.

Pediatric Dentist

Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist?

There are a number of reasons why you should choose a pediatric dentist for your child.  Pediatric dentists receive specialty training in addition to their doctorate in dentistry.  During the two-year period after dental school, pediatric dentists learn skills specific to treating children. The doctors learn how to provide care for special needs patients, young children, and fearful children.

Pediatric dentists also learn more about growth and development.  This allows them to identify orthodontic problems early, in order to suggest the most effective treatment.

When children first visit the dentist, it can cause anxiety.  If their early visits to the dentist are not pleasant, it could lead to a lifetime of dental phobia. Pediatric dentists often usually have ways to make the dental visit fun and comforting for the child.

The AAPD, American Associattion of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child see a dentist before his/her first birthday.  This initial visit will get the child comfortable with dental visits.  It also will allow the pediatric dentist to evaluate your child's oral health.  Oral problems in babies can be treated painlessly if they are identified early.

For more information about our office visit http://www.dentistry4children.net.

Pediatric Dentist Chicago
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How to Care for Children's Teeth

Oral Health Care Tips for Children

List of Dental Health Tips for Children:

First Dental Visit: It is important your child see a pediatric dentist by age one to establish a long-term dental hygiene and professional dental cleaning plan.  

Dental Sealant Application: Dental sealants are used to protect teeth from decay and are appropriate as soon as a tooth erupts.

Baby Teeth Cleaning: Baby teeth should be cleaned as soon as they erupt. Clean your baby's teeth with a soft washcloth or gauze after every bottle or meal. When more than one tooth erupts, you can soak a small-bristled child-sized (age-appropriate) toothbrush in warm water before using it on your baby's teeth, as instructed by your dentist.

• Baby teeth should be brushed using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Use water without fluoride until approximately six months of age. Encourage your children to brush their own teeth once they have the coordination to do so. Replace toothbrushes every two to three months.
• Children's teeth should be brushed after they are given medicine. Acids contained in medicines may eat away at tooth enamel, which serves as a natural protective coating for the teeth.  

 Fluoride Treatments: Check with your dentist and water authority about the need for fluoride treatments. Fluoride is a major component in the prevention of childhood dental caries. This is because fluoride alters the molecular structure of the tooth, making it more resistant to acid attack and decay.  However, children require the right balance of fluoride treatment. Too much fluoride could be problematic and lead to fluorosis. 

Mouth Washing: Mouth washing is usually recommended by age seven, provided your child can perform the activity.

Dental Flossing: Parent-assisted dental flossing should commence when two teeth erupt next to each other. Independent flossing should occur when children have the ability to do it on their own (often by six years of age).

Pediatric Dental Care Chicago
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Early Orthodontic Treatment- Chicago Pediatric Dentist

Need and Advantages of Early Orthodontic Treatment

Timmy had been extremely quiet when you talked to him after summer camp today. Some kids, he says, referred to him as “buck tooth”. You hugged and reassured him that they were just simply kids that do not understand that his smile is changing because of typical development and that very soon his beautiful, healthy adult teeth will be replacing all his primary teeth. Nevertheless, it became apparent that Timmy’s central teeth stick out too much. 

You might also be concerned with Timmy's appearance and psychological health?  Does the position of his tooth affect his speech? Is that this an ordinary developmental phase? And also, when it is a temporary phase should you intervene to avoid a few psychological or even social scarring of your child?


The U.S. Connection of Orthodontics recommends that all children be seen by an orthodontist by the age of 7. You can find good reasons behind this recommendation.


The following is a  “Bite & Smile" checklist. So grab any pad and keep an eye on at the child’s smile.
Chew & Smile Check List
-Do the youngster's top teeth stand out past an acceptable limit?
-Do your child's front teeth touch the lower too much?
-As soon as your kid's back teeth touch, can he/she stick their particular tongue among leading teeth?
-Is there be enough space for your child's enamel?


If you've answered yes to any of these questions, you should bring your child for an orthodontic consultation at a dental office in Chicago, or your local town.


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Pediatric Dentist | Orthodontist | Chicago

Chicago Pediatric Dentist

Child's First Visit
It is very important to start children early in the right direction for good dental hygiene.  A starting time for that first dental exam is when your child's teeth begin to appear, usually before age one.  You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive.  Your child should be informed of the visit.  We will take the time to get to know your child and make sure he/she is comfortable while in our office. 

It is best to keep from using words around your child that might cause anxiety or fear, such as needle, pull, drill or hurt.

Pediatric dental offices make a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to a child.

We encourage patients to come back to the treatment room alone so we may build a secure and comfortable relationship with them.  We find when the parent is present, their attention to us is divided.

Unlike some dental offices, we invite parents to accompany their child.  Brushing techniques, flossing, healthy snacks and fluoride recommendations are just some of the topics discussed during your child's initial cleaning and exam appointment. Most importantly, your child becomes comfortable with visiting the dentist from an early age.  It also allows us to watch growth patterns and look for any oral problems that may exist.

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Pediatric Dentist Chicago Free Parking

Just a reminder...

Chicago Pediatric Dentist

Although we are located in the heart of Lincoln Park, we do provide parking for our patients and families behind our building.  

We also provide dental care for adults and have an experienced general dentist on staff (Dr. Pannaralla). 

We also offer Orthodontic care for children. 

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