Dentist’s make sure our teeth are cleaned, polished, healthy and keep pesky cavities away with each visit. They encourage us to floss and keep our smile sparkling so we share kindness with those around us. Although being a dentist can sometimes be a thankless job, it’s important to take time to celebrate the smile doctors of the world. Thankfully there’s a day set aside each year to celebrate all dentists known as National Dentist’s Day! Each year March 6th is set aside to celebrate all dentists. Although it’s only marked on the calendar for one day each year, we like to take time to celebrate our wonderful Pediatric Dentists everyday at Kids Teeth. Let’s learn more about Dr. Will and Dr. Mike’s careers in dentistry so you can celebrate them too!
Why did you choose this career path?
Dr. Will: “Growing up, I would work with children through church youth groups and several years at summer camps. I have also always enjoyed working with my hands. Pediatric dentistry allows me to continue to do both while providing a service to improve children’s health.”
Dr. Mike: “I have always loved working with children. Both of my parents were school teachers and I grew up working at summer camps and teaching swimming lessons to kids. Childhood education and development has always been a passion and enjoyment of mine. After dental school I decided to pursue a specialty in pediatrics so that I could continue serving children and families in the most comprehensive and comfortable way.”
What challenges do you overcome daily in your profession?
Dr. Will: “Children are just as diverse as adults. No one level of anxiety is the same as another. Some have a different source of fears than others. We are routinely challenged by determining which treatment (if any) is warranted based upon a child’s age, anxiety, amount of treatment needed, medical history, and stage of dental development. Then, our goal is to educate the entire family on proven proper hygiene practices and safe ways to comfortably render any needed treatment while dispelling myths about baby teeth, flossing, and internet-based medical philosophies.”
Dr. Mike: “As pediatric dentists we have a large variety of daily appointment types and consultations ranging from infant exams concentrating on prevention and education to an adolescent or young adult that needs restorative treatment or evaluation of wisdom teeth. We see emergencies for oral and dental trauma for the young patients learning to walk to the teenager who gets injured playing sports. We follow the growth and development of infants and toddlers as their primary teeth erupt, monitor the transitioning stages (primary to permanent) of tooth development for the front teeth 5-8 year olds and the back teeth in the 10-12 year olds. As they finish getting their teeth as teenagers we follow patients for orthodontic treatment and Wisdom tooth development. We are always focused on oral health with an emphasis on education and prevention. When there is a need for restorative or surgical treatment we are trained in behavior management and sedation when necessary. We get to team with patients and parents daily to encourage good oral hygiene and dietary habits that set children up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.”
How can you and your child show appreciation for your dentist?
Brush your teeth. Every dentist loves to see your child demonstrate healthy habits at home. Show them you care by taking the time to help your child brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes and floss nightly.
Don’t skip your child’s routine dental care. Prevention is key when it comes to caring for your child’s teeth. It’s recommended that children visit us twice a year to review brushing habits and prevent cavities.
Write an online review or have your child draw a picture for us. As we mentioned, being a dentist can sometimes be a thankless job. Sharing your artwork with us or writing a review online brings a smile to our faces and helps others find a dentist they can trust.