If this is your first time visiting our website, welcome to Jerger Pediatric Dentistry! As your pediatric dentist in Decatur, IL, we look forward to getting to know you and your child better, and we hope to become your family’s go-to children’s dentist so long as you live in the area.
Are you preparing for your young child’s first visit to the dentist? Even if your child has seen another dentist in the past, if it’s going to be your first time at our dental office, we have a few thoughts we’d like to share with you. In the meantime, if you have any additional questions about working with your new “dentist near me” in Decatur, we’d be happy to answer them for you. Please feel free to call us any time at (217) 875-3080!
Familiarizing Your Child With the Dentist in Decatur, IL
Our objective is to help your child feel comfortable and at home at your first visit to our pediatric dental office. Dentist offices can feel scary and overwhelming to children at first, so we make a point of familiarizing your child with this new environment before beginning any treatment.
Typically, we begin with a tour of our dental office and give your child the chance to meet different members of our treatment team. We then take a photo of your child to add to their patient chart. This “photo op” allows your child to relax, be silly, and have fun!
Only when your child feels more comfortable and ready to start their dental appointment will we have them sit in the dental chair. At this time, we will perform a basic exam and obtain any necessary x-rays.
If your child is too nervous or upset for us to actually perform any treatment, we will continue to use our “tell, show, do” approach to dentistry by “telling” and “showing” them about dental care without actually “doing” anything with their smile.
Sometimes, it takes a few visits to the dental office before your child will feel ready, and that’s perfectly fine! Our pediatric dentist, Dr. Jerger, knows our Decatur, IL patients may need a little extra time before their first “real” dental cleaning and exam.
Paperwork and Your Child’s Medical History
Although paperwork isn’t the most exciting part of your child’s dental care, it is an essential step in the process. Having updated documents like their medical history and current insurance information form will speed up the treatment process, especially if your child ever experiences a dental emergency in Mt. Zion.
We pride ourselves on our affordable kid’s dentistry. We can provide the best care when we have all the relevant information regarding your child’s allergies, medications, and dental health.
We ask that you arrive about 30 minutes early to your child’s first dental visit with us so that we can have you fill out the necessary paperwork before their appointment.
Preparing For Your Child’s Dental Future at Jerger Pediatric Dentistry
If your child is very young, it may feel too soon to think about things like wisdom teeth removal or orthodontics in Mt. Zion.
However, when you bring your child to our pediatric dental office, we look at their treatment with a “big picture” perspective in mind. With your help, we will devise a treatment plan that best suits their needs and your budget while planning for potential future scenarios like braces, sports mouth guards, and more. We want your family to feel prepared for whatever dental situations come your way later in life.
Your first visit with our practice will hopefully be the beginning of a long-term relationship that will grow with your child. If you’re looking for a caring, patient pediatric dentist for your family, we invite you to call the team at Jerger Pediatric Dentistry today at (217) 875-3080.
