When it comes to kids, it’s important to start their first dentist experiences on the right foot. This can avoid dental anxieties later in life. That’s why finding a family dentist that works well with kids should be a top priority. In fact, it may be a good idea to work specifically with a pediatric dentist. These are dentists earn a specialization in children’s dentistry by completing an additional 2-3 years of schooling beyond the standard undergraduate degree and four years of dental school required for all dentists. They are better trained in child development and the special dental care needs of both babies and children. Pediatric dentists are trained to recognize tongue thrust, tongue ties, baby bottle tooth decay, enamel hyperplasia, and other conditions specific to children. Word of mouth is one of your best resources for finding your kids a great dentist. Talk to other parents. What was the office atmosphere like? Was it fun and inviting to kids? Did the dentist make their children feel safe? Was their child’s first dental experience fun and educational?