WHAT IS A PEDIATRIC DENTIST?
A pediatric dentist is someone who has completed two additional years of post-doctoral training, beyond the general dentistry degree, in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric dental disease. This training includes special education in child psychology and behavior management, preventive dentistry, advanced restorative dentistry, conscious sedation, hospital dentistry and the treatment of the medically and physically compromised child. The pediatric dentist's extensive study of physical growth and development is also applied to the interception and treatment of orthodontic problems. The pediatric dentist is the only specialist who is committed to the comprehensive oral health care of children from infancy through the teen-age years. Because of this specialized training, the pediatric dentist is best qualified to meet the needs of infants, children and teenagers by providing different approaches in dealing with their behavior, guiding their dental growth and development, managing their dental treatment needs, and helping them avoid future dental problems. Just as parents choose a pediatrician for their child's medical needs, many parents wisely choose a pediatric dentist for their child's dental needs. Dr. Buccino is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics - the same organization of which your child's pediatrician is a member.
INFANT ORAL HEALTH CARE (BIRTH TO TWO YEARS)
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that an initial oral evaluation visit should occur within six months of the eruption of the first primary tooth and no later than twelve months of age. During this important visit we will complete a thorough medical and dental history, complete a thorough oral examination, assess your child's risk of developing oral and dental disease, and determine an appropriate interval for periodic reevaluation.
PREPARING YOUR CHILD (TWO YEARS AND ABOVE)
We encourage you to prepare your child for a visit to the pediatric dentist before
the first appointment. For young children, excellent books that describe a visit to
the dentist can be found at the library and in bookstores. Discuss the positive
aspects of dentistry with your child. Convey good feelings about the dental visit as
being a part of growing up. Let your child know they are going to learn lots of new
ways to make their teeth sparkle and enjoy a healthy smile.
Morning appointments are recommended for little ones when they are refreshed and more accepting of new experiences. If you expect your child to react well, chances are very good your child will enjoy the first visit to our office. In addition to preparing your child for the important first visit, please provide all information pertinent to your child's dental, medical and social situation on the health forms you will be given by our office. This will enable us to provide the best possible care for your child.
YOUR CHILD'S FIRST VISIT
We try very hard to make your child's treatment physically comfortable and enjoyable.
All of our care is based on the behavior management technique Tell-Show-Do. This
management technique prepares your child for dental treatment by telling and showing
your child what we are going to do before we do it. During all visits, we believe in
giving your child lots of praise. We begin the first visit by introducing the office
environment and the staff. For children two and above, we recommend an oral
examination, a cleaning, the application of fluoride, and any necessary radiographs
(x-rays). After a thorough study of our findings, we will prepare and discuss a
treatment plan for your child's dental needs. This plan will provide guidance on
dental and oral development, fluoride status, non-nutritive oral habits, injury
prevention, oral hygiene, and the effects of diet on the dentition. Although no
restorative work is performed at this time, emergency needs will be assessed and
treated if appropriate.
Please do not be upset if your child cries. Children are often afraid of anything new and strange, and crying is the normal reaction to that fear. Please permit us the time to develop rapport with your child. After the first visit, encourage his or her independence and allow us the privilege of bringing your child from the reception room to the dental chair alone. Most school age children do better alone with the pediatric dentist, hygienist and assistant than with a parent present.
EARLY ORTHODONTICS
Occasionally, a child's facial and dental growth becomes disrupted as a result of genetics or early dental habits such as thumbsucking or mouthbreathing. 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.
PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY
We hope you share in our belief that regular oral health maintenance is a sound
investment in your child's overall health. To maintain optimum oral health, we
recommend that your child be seen every
six months for a continuing care appointment
that includes an oral examination, a cleaning, the application of fluoride, and any
necessary radiographs (x-rays). Preventive care will help prevent tooth decay and
periodontal disease.
At continuing care time you will be asked to update your child's dental, medical, and
social history which may have changed since the last visit. We will examine and treat
your child as we did at the first visit and discuss the findings with you.
APPOINTMENTS
Appointments can be made during regular office hours, Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
We prefer to see children under the age of six in the morning as they are generally in a much better frame of mind and more responsive to treatment. It is also best to treat children who require long or more difficult procedures in the morning.
The appointment time is reserved specifically for your child and their individual need. If you are unable to keep a scheduled appointment, please call at least 24 hours in advance so that we may reschedule your child's reserved time. This courtesy enables us to give your child's appointment to another child awaiting treatment. A broken appointment fee may be charged if advance notice of cancellation is not given.
EMERGENCY CARE
If your child has a problem requiring emergency treatment, please call the office so that we may see your child immediately. If the emergency arises at a time other than regular office hours, call the office for a recorded message providing instructions on how to contact Dr. Buccino through the emergency beeper number (508) 600-8093. Also, emergency care information is available through the office's website at www.kidsdentalcare.com.
Children are frequently subject to accidents. In order to accommodate an injured child, our schedule may be delayed. Please accept our apologies in advance should such a case delay your child's appointment. Conversely, please be reassured that we would put your child ahead of others in the schedule if your child needed emergency care.
FINANCIAL POLICY/DENTAL INSURANCE
We believe that our fees are just, equitable, and comparable to the fees charged by most pediatric dentists. In order to hold down our costs and keep fees affordable, we do request payment at the time services are rendered. Our office accepts a variety of payments: cash, personal check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and MedCash (a dental financing program). Please be aware that the parent bringing the child to our office is responsible for payment of all charges. We cannot send statements to other persons.
We also accept most dental insurance. Our office keeps abreast of the latest insurance trends to help you maximize your insurance benefits. We will accept assignment of benefits on most major insurance policies and will also prepare and file your claim. However, our office has no direct contract with your insurance carrier. Therefore, we ask that you pay your deductible, co-payment, and non-covered portions at the time of your visit. If your insurance company fails to pay our office, then you are responsible for the balance. Interest will be charged on balances greater than 90 days.
