First Dentist Visit?

Question

At what age did you take your children to the dentist for the first time? And, if anyone knows, how much was it without insurance?

I read that it's advised that the first visit is between 6 months and 2 years, but my dentist won't see children under 3, and the only pediatric dentist in my area doesn't take my out of state insurance.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I agree with almost everything Dr. Le said above, except that general dentists do not have the "expertise" to see kids under 3. I am a general dentist and I CERTAINLY have the expertise to see people who are neonates through geriatrics. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (of which I am a member as a GENERAL DENTIST) recommends that all people have a dental "home" by the age of 1 year. Of course, if anything out of the ordinary is suspected prior to that age, parents should feel free to take their child in to see a dentist sooner. Many dentists do not want to see very young children because it is not very profitable, the children tend to be somewhat uncooperative, and it takes time and patience. If you are seeing a dentist now, pediatric or general, who refuses to see a child for a simple exam because of their age... FIND ANOTHER DENTIST. That person probably will not be very good with your child when they do turn 3 or 5 or whatever cutoff they pull out of the air.

Answer 2

My son's first dentist apt was when he was 2. They say take them in once they first get teeth but I didn't know that there were baby dentists because regular dentists do not take kids under 5.
It's important that they have a check up every 6 months.
P.s.. baby dentists are EXPENSIVE. It's 100$ to be looked at and dental work for 1 tooth is over $250.

Answer 3

It's very tough for general dentists to see children under 3; I know from experience; we general dentists simply don't have the special training and experience.

"In order to prevent dental problems, your child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than his/her first birthday." (1)

Since neither cleaning nor xrays are customary at 1, it shouldn't be too much. Since I don't know where you live, I can't give you a ballpark for the fee. In my area, it wouldn't exceed $100. The best way to find out is to simply ask how much it will be for a first visit for a child under 3.

Don't let your insurance coverage (or lack thereof) compromise your child's dental care. So many people go without essential treatment because they let their insurance company call the shots.

Many established and/or specialty practices in my area "do not take insurance". The correct term is not taking assignment of benefits. By default, your insurance companies pay benefit checks to you, the subscriber. But you can (and usually do) assign your benefit checks to the dentist. When an insured patient goes to my office for a checkup, the office fills out the claim form, and the office takes assignment of their benefit checks. We reduce our fee by the anticipated amount of the benefit check. If we anticipate 100% coverage (most PPO checkups), then you walk out the door paying nothing. We effectively give our patients a 30-day interest-free loan until the insurance check comes in. Assignment of Benefits is a great convenience that patients like you have come to expect. We are glad to offer it.

Most insurance companies process the claims and pay the dentist (myself) promptly and courteously. A few companies consistently deny or underpay for the services rendered. They then ask us to call you, the patient, to pay for the difference. Talk about putting someone in an awkward position. Imagine going to Best Buy, walking out with a TV, and then getting a phone call asking for more money because you didn't pay enough. That wouldn't go over very well. So the dentist often eats it. If you have a policy with a company on my bad list, then I cannot take assignment of benefits; I have to charge you up front, then file the claim and have the benefit check mailed to you instead.

Just because your pedodontist doesn't take the insurance, doesn't mean your insurance won't pay for the visit. It could be they have bad experience with your company; so they just want you to pay up front. Depending on your policy, you may be able to submit a claim form yourself, and get partial reimbursement from your insurance company. Call the number on your card and ask a representative. If you ask nicely, your pedodontist's office staff may be able to help you fill out a claim form.

If you can't afford your local pedodontist charges, then at least consider the following:

1) no sleeping with bottles filled with any sugary liquid: juice, milk, formula. The only acceptable liquid for sleeping bottles is water. ANY kind of carbohydrate in the liquid can and will cause baby bottle rot, the #1 dental problem for children under 2.

2) periodically inspect your child's teeth for brown or white spots. It could be fluorosis or tooth decay. Either should be checked out by a dentist or pedodontist.

3) brush the teeth daily with a soft toothbrush and water. Introduce fluoride toothpaste at age 2-3.

There are many other tips at the website listed below:

Answer 4

If your dentist won't see children under three then change dentists now. Your kids do not need to see a pediatric dentist they can see a regular dentist but I know if my dentist wouldn't see kids under three I would be changing dentists fast. Yes kids need to be seen by a dentist at around 1 year of age.

Answer 5

you could try taking your child to a health station..is normally free. atleast for the first few visits.