Pediatric Dental OfficeReston, VA

Staff at a Pediatric Dental Office

Staff at a pediatric dental office can include the practice manager, financial coordinator, and receptionist. These staff members assist with check-in, appointment scheduling, billing, and other necessary paperwork. Additionally, a number of dental professionals may be in an office, including the pediatric dentist, the pediatric dental hygienist (who is responsible for preventative treatment such as professional cleaning), and the pediatric dental assistant (who can help the pediatric dentist during specific procedures).

According to the AAPD, pediatric dentistry is more labor-intensive than a general practice. Their research shows pediatric dentists hire more personnel than their general dentist counterparts, improving office efficiency. While pediatric dentists and general dentists both employ dental assistants, pediatric providers typically have more dental assistants on staff.

Rooms at a Pediatric Dentist Office

A pediatric dental office is designed with children in mind. The reception area often features bright colors and fun patterns and is equipped with toys and books to keep kids of all ages entertained while waiting for their appointment. Parent-specific reading material is also available. This helps reduce any possible anxiety and keeps children calm and distracted until their name is called.

The most obvious change from a general practice will be a child-friendly dental chair in the examination area. Exam rooms can include a TV and child-appropriate artwork. All the tools used during the exam and cleaning are appropriately child-sized. Additional spaces will consist of storage (where free toothbrushes and floss are kept until the end of the appointment), the bathroom, and an X-ray room.

Patient Data Management

Many pediatric dental offices use electronic dental records to manage patient data. This helps keep track of the patient’s health history, risk factors, imaging, a record of treatment, and other important data such as current medications. At the reception desk, the parent will be asked at the check in to update any of the child’s medical history, detail any new diagnoses, note any dental health concerns, and update any insurance information. All of this will be entered into the patient’s data record.

During the visit, the pediatric dentist will review this information with the child and parent and then enter any relevant clinical documentation into the patient’s data record. After the visit is over, the reception desk will schedule the child’s next visit and answer any questions. Post-visit, the office will utilize the patient’s record to manage billing, coding for procedures, and insurance claims. In some offices, the parent can access and view their child’s dental health information through a secure patient portal.

Benefits of a Pediatric Dental Office

A pediatric dental office offers many benefits to both the child and parent. Since there is only one pediatric dental provider, both the parent and child will develop a close relationship with their dentist through the years as the child matures. The provider will learn about the child’s specific habits and identify potential problems much sooner than if multiple providers saw the child. Thanks to the level of trust that develops between the provider and the child, patients are often calmer during visits and less afraid.

During the first pediatric dental office visit, the parent should provide the pediatric dentist with a thorough medical and dental history for their child. Often, the teeth are cleaned and examined during a first visit. This cleaning and exam provide a lot of information about your child’s oral health and how they react to the dentist and the exam itself.

When the patient is very young, typically, the parent is in the room. This may only involve a visual exam with the patient sitting in the parent’s lap. Older patients have a more thorough examination, and sometimes X-rays are taken. Depending on the child’s needs and oral health risk, the next appointment may be in six months or sooner.