Everyone dreads dealing with a dental emergency. Read here for six tips for choosing an emergency pediatric dentist in Tampa, FL that you can trust.

1. Ask for Recommendations from Friends and Family

Always begin your search by asking for recommendations from trusted sources. These could be your regular dentist, your child's pediatricians, or friends and family who have had positive experiences with emergency pediatric dentistry practices. 



They will be able to give you firsthand experience with emergency pediatric dentists, which will be more valuable than only doing a Google search. 

You can also do some Google reviews research and visit practice websites to see what kind of services they offer and what their experience in handling pediatric emergencies is.

Once you've done your online and offline research, it's time to call the emergency pediatric dentist in Tampa, FL to ask them about their services. Some pediatric dentists only offer services during office hours, that is, from 9 am to 5 pm. 

Others might be available in the evenings but not on the weekends. So you will need to judge for yourself what kind of availability is best for your needs. 

Also, consider their response times when contacting customer service and how busy they are. If they are too busy, they might not be able to accommodate additional cases, especially if they come out of the blue. 



Try to find an emergency pediatric dentistry practice with a dedicated emergency hotline that functions outside of normal hours and also an on-call dentist service. It might take a bit of work, but this is the best indicator that you have found the right kind of emergency pediatric dentistry service. 

3. What Kind of Expertise and Training Do They Have?

Pediatric dentists have to go through additional years of training after dental school, focusing on child development, behavior management, and techniques for providing comfortable dental experiences for children. So you can rest assured that they will be able to provide a better environment for your child with oral health issues. 



You can also make sure that the pediatric dentist is board-certified, which indicates that they are committed to providing a high level of care to all the patients that pass through their doors. 

4. How Great Are They at Soothing Fearful Children?

All of your research is going to be for nothing if the pediatric dentist you choose has a terrible bedside manner. That is, if they end up scaring your child even more when they are already afraid or anxious.

The younger your child is, the more experience the dentist will need to have to deal with them appropriately. Otherwise, they will end up exacerbating their anxiety and fears. 

Dealing with anxious children, or children who are hurt, requires a delicate touch. And not all pediatric dentists will have that. So it's a good idea to have a conversation with them before you pick one for your child. 



They should also have a child-friendly waiting area with toys, books, and bright colors. This can help create a welcoming atmosphere for any visiting children. Visit the practice beforehand to make sure that they have child-appropriate tools, smaller dental chairs, and a welcoming nurturing environment. 

5. Insurance and Payment Options Availability

This is also something that you will need to consider when choosing an emergency pediatric dentist. Inquire about the types of insurance they accept and whether they offer flexible payment plans.

A practice that is transparent about costs and helps you navigate the financial aspect of emergency dental care demonstrates its commitment to providing accessible and affordable services. 

Emergencies always happen when you least expect them and when you can least afford them. That's why you will want to find a dentist who understands your circumstances and is willing to work around them. 

Not everyone will be as accommodating. But some will. With the proper research, you will find the right one. 

6. Location and Distance from Your Home

If possible, find an emergency pediatric dentistry practice that's close to your home. Especially when it's an emergency, you don't want to be driving far distances with a hurt child in the back crying and in distress.

So find a pediatric dentist that's as close to your home as possible. And also in a location with ample parking and easy access. 



Ideally, the emergency pediatric dentist will also offer a full service of other pediatric dentistry services. This way you don't have to go to two separate dentists for your child's oral health.

Find the Right Emergency Pediatric Dentist in Tampa, FL

Good dental care is hard to find. Finding the right emergency pediatric dentist is even harder. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack.

That's why you will want to search for one before an emergency actually occurs. This way you are well prepared for it and don't have to search while your child is in pain or distress. 



Still searching for an emergency pediatric dentist in Tampa, FL? Dental Studio 4 Kids is happy to help you. Contact us to set up an appointment or to ask any questions you might have about our emergency dental services.