Needs Advise. Can I Take My Kids to an Adult Dentist?

I started taking mine to my dentist at age three. I use Dr. Harb in Homewood and they are excellent with children even though they do not specifically bill themselves as pediatric dentists. Both of my children actually love to go there which makes it so much easier on me because I can get my checkup right before or after theirs.

I am Pro Pediatric Dentist for as long as possible. Every dentist studies the same thing in school. A specialist like a pediatric dentist takes more school and studies a particular area. Would you go to your OB/GYN for a heart disease problem or find a Cardiologist? It's the same issue. All doctors study the same thing thing then they specialise.

Pediatric dentist are trained in treating baby teeth plus the teeth coming in. They are more up to date with possible problems that effect children and they can treat the kids with various methods. If K or J have any dental proceedures they will be put to sleep during them. I prefer it that way. I had horrible dentists as a child, one even held me down while I screamed my teeth weren't numb. To this day I won't go to the dentist because of my childhood experiences.

I have never had any problems with our pediatric dentist in OKC. I go back during the exam, I sit with them while their teeth are being cleaned, while the dentists tells K knock-knock jokes and plays with the puppets to show her all about x-rays and how to brush her teeth. At 2yrs. and 3 months old J sat the whole time they cleaned his teeth because they kept him occupied with toys and if they saw him getting ansy they changed what they were doing. He asks all the time when we're going again.

If you don't like your dentist consider finding a better pediatric dentist for them.

PS:
Just an after thought.

My BFF decided to take her 5 yr. old daughter to a regular dentist here in town who is her dentist too. Every filling he put in that childs baby teeth fell out, her gums got infected and the teeth eventually had to be pulled. So here is an example of a 5 year old experience with a family dentist that is wonderful.

M. - I would make a special effort to stop by the dentist office and ask for 3 minutes of his time.
Introduce your sons and ask him his opinion.

I believe you will be very glad you did.

No I am not a dentist nor is any one in my family.
But do know if you go the extra mile 99.9% of the
time you will received great answers.

God Bless

My dentist is my uncle. He starts seeing kids at age 4 or 5, and is FANTASTIC with kids (even the ones who aren't his great-neice or great-nephew). So my oldest two go there with us adults. My youngest, age 26 mo, has a pediatric dentist, after an accident when he was around a year that left him with two broken teeth that need specialized care.

A lot depends on what needs to be done, as for who to see. Uncle has given the oldest fillings, pulled teeth from the middle child, and a lot of other basic care. We're sticking with the pediatric dentist for the preschooler until at he has the crown done, and, more likely, until the broken baby teeth come out!

Absolutly, I worked for a general dentist for 4 years and we started seeing children at age three. As I am sure you know children seem to behave better when their parents are not around so we always liked for the kids to go back by themselves. If you like your dentist and hygienist then you should feel comfortable to let them go on their own. Good Luck.

I would just call your dentist and ask if they see kids. If you are happy and more comfortable with your dentist and they are willing to see kids, go for it!

As long as your dentist is comfortable with treating children, it is not a problem! I plan on taking my son to a our family dentist which is not a pediatric dentist. If you are not happy with the children't current dentist, I would definetly go to where you and the children are happy!

Hi M.,

I am pretty sure you can. I guess it would depend on the dentist.

Our family dentist works on all ages. He is AWESOME, esp w/my 5 year old. She has had to have 2 small cavities fixed and he was able to do it w/o any meds. He calls them "bugs" and says he is getting the bug out. He says baby teeth are easier to fix than adult teeth.

His name is Dr. Robert Ward and is in Fort Smith, AR.

Good Luck!! S.

I am planning on taking one of my children to an adult dentist. Have you asked your dentist if it is okay? I know my dentist is fine with children coming along for an appointment of their own. Does your dentist have toys or stickers or something for the children?

Y.

I moved my child from his pediatric dentist to our dentst years ago after some dental work which I considered questionable. It was the best move I ever made. My dentist and all of his staff have a great way with children...now I am taking my grandchildren to that same dentist. I love my dentist!!!

Check with your dentist and see what he thinks, Some adult dentist and Drs do no feel comfortable around kids. If he has no problem with it then go for it.

I would think that it wouldn't be a problem. I love my dentist so much that they first time my son went to the dentist it was to her. They would not see him until he turned three, but since your boys are five that shouldn't be an issue. Hope this helps.

I have taken my son to my dentist all of his life. What you need to do is ask your dentist if will be willing to take care of your sons teeth.

M.,
First talk with your doctor tro make sure they are willing to take ped. patients. The Dentisit I use does cater to all ages but is not cat. a a ped dentist, per say. It is wonderful being all at the same office we have 2 dentist, they son does cater to the peds patients but is not listed as a pedsonly practice. My daughter has only seen the reguler dentist since age 2 and we have had problemwith what some may call "unspecialized care" for a peds patient.

That is not a good I idea. The reason have pediatric dentist is because kids mouths are growing and changing all the time and so they have different problems and specialized care. Also the tools are smaller to work in smaller mouths.

Ask other mom's and your dentist for referals of other pediatric dentist in your area. I have also used 1-800-dentist. I found my dentist that way and he is great. It was really easy, I told all about my issues and insurance and I had a new dentist in moments.

Good Luck!
L.

It depends on the dentist. My "family dentist" will not see kids until they are 12 so I have to take mine to the pediatric dentist, but the dentist I went to growing up saw me from the time I was little until I moved out to go to college. Just ask you dentist what his policy is.

I also have 5 yr old twins(well almost they turn 5 Saturday the 25th). Mine are a boy and a girl.

M. - I wouldn't think they should have any problem going to a regular dentist. My 3 year old's pediatrician told us that we could take him to a regular dentist. If you still have reservations about it, there is a Kool Smiles in Biloxi that specializes in children's dentistry - but I would try the regular dentist first; especially if they have already been seeing a dentist and it is not their first visit. Good luck!

I have a 9 year old and a 2 yr old. Since my 9 yr old has been going to the dentist, I have taken her to my dentist--I will do the same for my 2 yr old. He has even checked my toddler's teeth when I bring my older daughter and has allowed her to sit in the chair and get use to his presence-and everything he does regarding oral care-that will make it easier when we begin with her more regularly. My experience with bringing my children to my dentist has been great. My dentist is awesome with children and even offers a prize drawer to the kids when done. I have always been pleased with my decision. Hope this helps; especially since you are unhappy with your current situation.--J.

You might call and ask your dentist if he see children. Some won't, but most will. My daughter (4 next week) and I go to the same dentist and it works out really well.

J.

If you aren´t happy with the pediatric dentist, take your sons to your dentist. Although he´s for adult when he studied his career he also studied for little people.

We also used to take our children to a pediatric dentist. While it was a neat place (aimed at kids), we weren't convinced it was the right place for our kids. After a situation with our daughter regarding treatment, we sought a second opinion. A little while later, we decided to switch our whole family to the same dentist who agreed with the second opinion on our daughter. We have not regretted it at all. There is a little bit for the kids, though it is not an office devoted to kids with playstations or videos. But that is okay with me. My kids still enjoy going. Most of all, I appreciate feeling that the dentist is being entirely honest with me about where we are with teeth.

I personally never went to a pediatric dentist. All dentists have to do some work on kids during their training. I've found through my experience, pediatric dentists are good but they end up costing more too!

M.,

My kids never went to a pediatric dentist because the dentist I had was great with kids as well. Before switching them, you should ask his staff how well he deals with kids. Some dentists are great with them and others are not. If you know others who go to the same dentist as you, you should ask them if they take their kids to him/her and what their impressions were.

M.,
Hello. Didn't have time to read all the other responses, so sorry if this is a repeat. I know my dentist only starts seeing children at age 7 or 8 (I think). So, I would call your dentist and ask what age they start seeing children. Best of luck finding the right dentist for your children.
~ J.

I have always loved my dentist (mostly because of the WONDERFUL hygenist in their office!) but he is very nice as well. I started taking our son with me and making two appts. for us both when he was about 7-8 after a few years of a pediatric dentist. I knew that if I wasn't satisfied I could return to the children's only one at any time. I never regretted it and it was then easier to schedule our appts. on the same schedule. I never even used a pediatric dentist for our daughter. They assured me they were comfortable with children and she LOVES them too. Until our son was probably about 15 yrs. old, I did insist on sitting in the corner of the room while any check-up or procedure was done and they never had a problem with this. I have heard some offices refuse to allow this. The parent must be in the waiting room. I would never go along with that especially after reading some tragic stories and children becoming frightened unnecsssarily.

Yeah, I take mine to an adult dentist...my 13 would prefer a pediatric dentist because of all the great things they have for kids but my 4 yr old didn't like the peds dentist...so I take both of them to where i get mine done and no problems! They will eventually go there anyways so why not?

When I was 5, we could drive the hour drive to the ped. dentist anymore so my mom took me to a dentist in our town. He was mostly an adult dentist, but he did accept older small children. You should talk to your dentist and ask if they work with young children, but I don't see why you shouldn't be able to take five-year-olds to any dentist. It would just depend on whether or not the dentist is good with kids...