Coming Home with Children's Dental Care

What does the word "home" bring to mind? Home is where the heart is! Home is where your family is! Home is where your dentist is??? Consider this definition of home."Home, in its essence, is a place of safety, comfort, and belonging, a sanctuary where individuals feel secure and can be themselves. It's where we find refuge, connect with loved ones, and build a foundation for our lives." Now it may seem silly and arbitrary to compare one's dental office with their actual home. But to us at Children's Dental Care (CDC), this is not a far-fetched comparison. We are thrilled to know that our families feel comfortable and at home at our office. Contemplating what home means to so many of us, these are a few words that come to mind: familiar, safe, cozy, consistent, stable, always there through good and hard times, a place where loved ones gather. Isn't it true? There is something incredibly comforting and special about coming home. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that a dental home should be established "no later than 12 months of age to help children and their families institute a lifetime of optimal oral health." One's actual home experiences from a young age have a massive impact on development. In the same way, experiences early on at a dental home shape positive dental health development. Early dental visits give child and parent the opportunity to begin the process of making the dentist an integral and comfortable part of a child's experience. At CDC we put this into practice by seeing children from age 0 to 21. Seeing our children early gives us the opportunity for preventive treatments and early diagnosis. Then, consistent hygiene appointments as they grow allow us to invest in high quality dental education for both children and their parents which we love to do in creative and engaging ways. The earlier children begin to have a sense of "coming home" to us, the sooner they can begin to experience those very same distinctive characteristics that make home so special. What distinctive characteristics of home do our patients experience at Children's Dental Care?Familiar: With consistent cleaning visits every 6 months, our children become very accustomed to going to the dentist. Children thrive on consistency and routine and when they know what to expect each time they visit (what the place looks like, what happens when they are there, how fun it is, and perhaps most importantly the dental team they know), it helps them feel a sense of safety. Parents often comment on how their children look forward to coming to our office. In a five star review, Pam Taylor wrote, "My older children have been going here for about 13 years, they love it! I now bring my 3 year old and she loves going here, as well. Next year my baby will be going, I am sure he will also love going." Security: With familiarity comes a sense of security that sets young children up for a lifetime of positive dental experiences. Our team invests in helping children know they are safe; it lessens fear and helps them to thrive. Cozy: There is something special about a warm and welcoming environment. Come experience the homey feelings that CDC's woodland-themed office can bring; with a plethora of activities specifically designed to welcome children, help them feel comfortable, and have fun! Consistent: Knowing that you can always come home, even when life has its ups and downs gives us a real sense of peace. While we always hope and strive for perfect oral health and no need for fixing things, the reality is that life has its challenges. Our established patients can come "home" when dental difficulty happens. Knowing that they have a place of security, comfort, and consistency helps them be able to face those challenges from a place of strength and calm. Consider an example of how this might play out at Children's Dental Care. Imagine your child, little Lucy, has been coming to the dentist routinely since she was 1 year old. She has had optimal oral health and loves dental visits because they are always fun. Each time she comes she is greeted with a smile from Emma, Stephanie and Kristen in the front office. Miss Shana or Miss Barbara, her hygienists, teach her all about her big girl teeth now that she is seven. She looks forward to brushing a stuffed animal's teeth and feeding Dr. Zach's fish. Dr. Wully always praises her on a job well done with how she's taking care of her teeth, affirming the "A" her hygienist gave her on her report card. She feels comfortable and at home when she goes to her dentist. However, one day little Lucy chips her new front tooth while riding her bike! Suddenly, the consistent and familiar aspects of her dental home become all the more important. Now that she is in need of potentially difficult emergency treatment she knows that when she visits CDC after hours, it will be a familiar place, she can trust the people there, and she can be brave and let Dr. Zach manage the broken tooth. Mom and Dad can rest easy knowing that Dr. Wully's expertise can help them avoid a long night at the ER and manage the injury right away. This is the value of the dental home in full display! Children's Dental Care will be with you through the good and the hard times, just like your actual home. "My son broke his tooth late into the evening and was able to be seen late by Dr. Wully and his son, for an emergency appointment. My son's tooth was fixed and looks amazing," wrote Amanda Babcock, in a review. "He was treated incredibly well by both providers. We are exceptionally grateful for their time as well as their patience." Another integral part of this home is the relationships built. Dr. Wully and Dr. Zach enjoy building personal doctor/patient/parent relationships, and they go the extra mile to do so. They strive to understand each family's values and bolster them with options for each individual situation. As we get to know your family's needs, we let that shape how we provide compassionate, custom-designed dental care. We love the opportunity to care for your children from babyhood through to adulthood; from first tooth to wisdom teeth. The final essential element of what makes up a home is to gather with loved ones. We would be honored for you to be a part of our family. We welcome you to "come home" to Children's Dental Care!