Smile Zone

Policies and Services

Appointment Policy


Our appointments are scheduled to respect your time and convenience. We reserve a specific time for your child's care, and we make every effort to see you at that appointed time. We appreciate your promptness and consideration in not changing your scheduled time. We always appreciate a 24-hour advance notice if you are unable to keep an appointment, as our other patients will surely value your courtesy in releasing this time for their child’s needs.
 

• All sedation procedures are scheduled in the morning. Children, as well as adults, are more prepared and do better in the morning for these types of procedures.
• We strive to see all patients on time for their scheduled appointment. There are times when our schedule is delayed in order to accommodate an injured child or an emergency. Please accept our apology in advance should this occur during your appointment. We will do the exact same if your child is in need of emergency treatment.
• Please plan to arrive 5 minutes or more before your scheduled appointment. This will allow time to complete any additional paperwork and see your child on time.
• If you arrive 15+ minutes late for your appointment, you may be asked to reschedule for the next available appointment time.
• Again, please call at least 24 hours in advance if a cancellation is unavoidable so that we may give it to another patient.
• Broken or missed appointments affect many people. If two (2) broken/missed appointments occur or two (2) cancellations without 24-hour notice, our office reserves the right to NOT schedule any subsequent appointments.
• A parent or legal guardian (with official documentation) must be present during the initial examination and/or any filling appointments.

If at any time you have questions, please feel free to ask our staff or call our office. We are here to help in any way we can. We appreciate you entrusting your child's dental health to us.

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday 7 a.m. – 5.p.m. 
Friday 7 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Sterilization

We adhere to the strict standards imposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Each staff member wears gloves and face protection. All treatment areas are cleaned between patients. Instruments and hand pieces are heat-sterilized in an autoclave. Every possible precaution is taken to ensure the safety and protection of our patients and staff.

Explanation to Parents About Patient Safety and Privacy


Additionally, we request that cellular phones not be used in the operatories. The extra conversation carried on by others in the clinical area can be most distracting to children, preventing us from close, careful communication with each young patient. During your child’s examination, we ask that the parents be attentive to the doctor and staff. We feel that these policies enable us to give your child the best care possible. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in these matters.

SERVICES

The following are some of the dental services that are offered at Smile Zone Pediatric Dentistry

• Preventive Dentistry
• Dental Care Needs For A Special Child
• Sealants
• Mouth Protectors
• Thumb, Finger and Pacifier Habits
• Tooth Colored Filings
• In office treatment using Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
• First Aid For Dental Emergencies
• General Anesthesia
• Space maintainers

PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY


Smile Zone Pediatric Dentistry advises parents that regular dental care should begin by one year of age. By this age, many children already have dental decay. The prevention of dental disease is an important consideration during the first few visits. Our doctors will discuss cavities and explain how to avoid them or how to minimize damage if it already has started. He will discuss a program of preventive home care including brushing, flossing, diet control, and the importance of fluorides. He also may discuss nursing decay (bottle-mouth syndrome), a pattern of decay associated with prolonged nursing also known as "nursing caries". The teeth in a child who either sleeps with a bottle or who nurses frequently can develop a type of decay that attacks quite rapidly. To prevent nursing caries, pediatric dentists recommend that a child be weaned by approximately 12 months of age.

DENTAL CARE FOR A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Q: Do special children have special dental needs?

A: Most do have special dental needs. Some special children are very susceptible to tooth decay, gum disease or oral trauma. Others require medication or diets that are detrimental to dental health. Still other children have physical difficulty with effective dental habits at home. The good news is that dental disease can be prevented. If dental care is started early and followed conscientiously, every child can enjoy a healthy smile.

Q: How can I prevent dental problems for my special child?

A: A first dental visit by the child's first birthday will help your child enjoy a lifetime of good dental health. The pediatric dentist will take a full medical history, gently examine your child's teeth and gums, and then plan preventive care designed for your child's needs.

Q: Will preventive dentistry benefit my child?

A: Yes! Your child will benefit from the preventive approach recommended for all children--effective brushing and flossing techniques, moderate snacking, and adequate use of fluoride. Home care takes just minutes a day and prevents needless dental problems in the future. Regular professional cleanings and fluoride treatments are also very beneficial. Sealants can prevent tooth decay on the chewing surfaces of molars where four out of five cavities occur.

Q: Are pediatric dentists prepared to care for special children?

A: Absolutely. Pediatric dentists have two or more years of advanced training beyond dental school. Their education as specialists focuses on care for children with special needs. In addition, pediatric dental offices are designed to be physically accessible for special patients. Pediatric dentists, because of their expertise, are often the clinicians of choice for the dental care of adults with special needs as well.

Q: Will my child need special care during dental treatment?
A: Some children need more support than a gentle, caring manner to feel comfortable during dental treatment. Restraint or mild sedation may benefit your special child. If a child needs extensive treatment, the pediatric dentist may provide care at a local hospital. Your pediatric dentist has a comprehensive education in behavior management, sedation and anesthesia techniques. They will select a technique based on the specific health needs of your child, and then discuss the benefits, limits and risks of that technique with you.

SEALANTS

Q: What are sealants?

A: Sealants protect the surfaces of teeth with grooves and pits, especially the chewing surfaces of back teeth where most cavities in children are found. Made of clear or shaded plastic, sealants are applied to the teeth to help keep them cavity-free.

Q: How do sealants work?

A: Even if your child brushes and flosses carefully, it is difficult, sometimes almost impossible, to clean the tiny grooves and pits on certain teeth. Food and bacteria build up in these depressions, placing your child in danger of tooth decay. Sealants "seal out" food and plaque, thus reducing the risk of decay.

Q: How long do sealants last?

A: Research shows that sealants can last for many years. Consequently, your child will be protected throughout the most cavity-prone years. If your child has good oral hygiene program and avoids biting hard objects, sealants will last longer. Your pediatric dentist can easily replace or repair a lost or damaged sealant.

Q: What is the treatment like?

A: The application of a sealant is quick and comfortable. It takes only one visit. Your dental hygienist or assistant conditions and dries the tooth, applies the sealant, and then allows it to harden.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: The treatment is very affordable; especially in view of the valuable decay protection it offers your child. Sealants may be covered by your dental insurance. Talk to your pediatric dentist about the exact cost of sealants for your child.

Q: Which teeth should be sealed?

A: The teeth most at risk of decay, and therefore most in need of sealants, are the six-year and twelve-year molars. But any tooth with grooves or pits may benefit from the protection of sealants.

Q: If my child has sealants, are brushing and flossing still important?

A: Absolutely! Sealants are only one step in the plan to keep your child cavity-free for a lifetime. Brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits are still essential to a bright, healthy smile.

MOUTH PROTECTORS

Q: What are athletic mouth protectors?

A: Athletic mouth protectors, or mouth guards, are made of soft plastic. They are adapted to fit comfortably to the shape of the upper teeth.

Q: Why are mouth guards important?

A: Mouth guards hold top priority as sports equipment. They protect not just the teeth, but also the lips, cheeks, and tongue. They help protect children from such head and neck injuries as concussions and jaw fractures. Increasingly, organized sports are requiring mouth guards to prevent injury to their athletes. Research shows that most oral injuries occur when athletes are not wearing mouth protection.

Q: When should my child wear a mouth guard?

A: A child should wear a mouth guard whenever he or she is involved in an activity with a risk of falls. Also, they should be worn in activities with any form of head contact with other players or equipment. This includes football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, skateboarding, even gymnastics. We usually think of football and hockey as the most dangerous to the teeth, but nearly half of sports-related mouth injuries occur in basketball and baseball.

Q: How do I choose a mouth guard for my child?

A: Any mouth guard works better than no mouth guard. Thus, choose a mouth guard that your child can wear comfortably. If a mouth guard feels bulky or interferes with speech, it will be left in the locker room. You can select from several options in mouth guards. First, pre-formed or "boil-to-fit" mouth guards are found in sports stores. Different types and brands vary in terms of comfort, protection, and cost. Second, customized mouth guards are provided through your pediatric dentist. They cost a bit more, but are more comfortable and more effective in preventing injuries. Your pediatric dentist can advise you on what type of mouth guard is best for your child.

THUMB, FINGER AND PACIFIER HABITS

Q: Why do children suck on fingers, pacifiers or other objects?

A: This type of sucking is completely normal for babies and young children. It provides security. For young babies, it's a way to make contact with and learn about the world. In fact, babies begin to suck on their fingers or thumbs even before they are born.

Q: Are these habits bad for the teeth and jaws?
A: Most children stop sucking on thumbs, pacifiers or other objects on their own between two and four years of age. No harm is done to their teeth or jaws. However, some children repeatedly suck on a finger, pacifier or other object over long periods of time. In these children, the upper front teeth may tip toward the lip or not come in properly.

Q: When should I worry about a sucking habit?

A: Your pediatric dentist will carefully watch the way your child's teeth come in and jaws develop, keeping the sucking habit in mind at all times. For most children there is no reason to worry about a sucking habit until the permanent front teeth are ready to come in.

Q: What can I do to stop my child's habit?

A: Most children stop sucking habits on their own, but some children need the help of their parents and their pediatric dentist. When your child is old enough to understand the possible results of a sucking habit, your pediatric dentist can encourage your child to stop, as well as talk about what happens to the teeth if your child doesn't stop. This advice, coupled with support from parents, helps most children quit. If this approach doesn't work, your pediatric dentist may recommend a mouth appliance that blocks sucking habits.

Q: Are pacifiers a safer habit for the teeth than thumbs or fingers?

A: Thumb, finger and pacifier sucking all affect the teeth essentially the same way. However, a pacifier habit is often easier to break.

TOOTH COLORED FILLINGS

Tooth-colored fillings are made from durable plastics called composite resins. Similar in color and texture to natural teeth, the fillings are less noticeable, and much more attractive, than other types of fillings. Because composite resins are tooth-colored, they look more natural than other filling materials. Your child can smile, talk, and eat with confidence. In addition, tooth-colored fillings are compatible with dental sealants. A tooth can be filled and sealed at the same time to prevent further decay.

IN OFFICE TREATMENT USING NITROUS OXIDE
(LAUGHING GAS)

Many children are calm, comfortable, and confident in a pediatric dental office. Because pediatric dentists specialize in treating children, they make children feel special. The office is especially designed for children. Staff members choose to work in a pediatric dental office because they enjoy kids.

Sometimes, however, a child feels anxious during treatment. Your child may need more support than a gentle, caring manner to feel comfortable. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a safe, effective technique to calm a child's fear of the dental visit.

Q: What is nitrous oxide/oxygen?
A: Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide. When inhaled, it is absorbed by the body and has a calming effect. Normal breathing eliminates nitrous oxide/oxygen from the body.

Q: How will my child feel when breathing nitrous oxide/oxygen?

A: Your child will smell a sweet, pleasant aroma and experience a sense of well being and relaxation. If your child is worried by the sights, sounds, or sensations of dental treatment, he or she may respond more positively with the use of nitrous oxide/oxygen.

Q: How safe is nitrous oxide/oxygen?

A: Very safe. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry. It is non-addictive. It is mild, easily taken, and then quickly eliminated by the body. Your child remains fully conscious, keeps all natural reflexes, when breathing nitrous oxide/oxygen.

Q: Are there any special instructions for nitrous oxide/oxygen?
A: First, give your child little or no food before the dental visit. (Occasionally, nausea or vomiting occurs when a child has a full stomach.) Second, tell your pediatric dentist about any respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose difficult for your child. It may limit the effectiveness of nitrous oxide/oxygen. Third, tell your pediatric dentist if your child is taking any medication on the day of the appointment.

Q: Will nitrous oxide/oxygen work for all children?

A: Pediatric dentists know that all children are not alike! Every service is tailored to your child as an individual. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is not effective for some children, especially those who have severe anxiety, nasal congestion, extensive treatment needs, or discomfort wearing a nasal mask. Pediatric dentists have comprehensive specialty training and can offer other sedation methods that are right for your child .

GENERAL ANESTHESIA

Q: What is general anesthesia?

A: General anesthesia provides a way of effectively completing dental care while a child is unconscious.

Q. Who should receive dental care with general anesthesia?
A: Children with severe anxiety and/or the inability to relax are candidates for general anesthesia. Usually these children are young or have compromised health and helping them control their anxiety is not possible using other methods.

Q: Is general anesthesia safe?
A: An experienced health care provider, specifically trained in delivering general anesthesia, is responsible for the general anesthesia delivery, monitoring and medical care of the child. Many precautions are taken to provide safety for the child during general anesthesia care. Patients are monitored closely during the general anesthesia procedure by anesthesia personnel who are trained to manage complications. Your pediatric dentist will discuss the benefits and risks involved in general anesthesia and why it is recommended for your child's treatment.

Q: What special considerations are associated with the general anesthesia appointment?

A: A physical examination is usually required prior to a general anesthesia appointment to complete dental care. This physical examination provides information to ensure the safety of the general anesthesia procedure. Your pediatric dentist will advise you about any evaluation appointments that may be requested. There are usually several recommendations for the day of the general anesthesia appointment. Minimal discussion about the appointment may reduce anxiety. It is important not to have a meal before general anesthesia. You will be informed about food and fluid intake guidelines prior to the appointment. If your child is sick, contact your pediatric dentist. It may be necessary to arrange another appointment. Usually, children are tired following general anesthesia. You may wish to return home with minimal activity planned for your child until the next day. After that, you can usually return to a routine schedule.

SPACE MAINTAINERS

Occasionally, a child's facial and dental growth becomes disrupted as a result of genetics or early dental habits such as thumb sucking or mouth breathing. Pediatric dentists are specialists in the area of growth and development of the face and teeth, and are ideally suited to intervene in these situations. Many times extensive orthodontic treatment may be averted through timely pediatric orthodontic care as the face, jaws, and teeth are developing

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