Jerger Pediatric Dentistry

Where Beautiful Smiles Begin

2101 North Main Street
Decatur, IL 62526

Jerger Pediatric Dentistry > Dental Care > Behavior Guidance

At Jerger Pediatric Dentistry we teach your child behavior guidance techniques that lead to a lifetime of healthy oral hygiene.

boy in dental chair with thumbs up | behavior guidance decatur il

We Will Teach Your Child Good Home Dental Habits

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Behavior Guidance in Decatur, IL

two young girls brushing teeth I behavior guidance decatur il We know that the earlier your child is introduced to the dentist, the better chance they have of having happy and healthy mouths. Regular dental check-ups at our pediatric dental office are a must!

We make every effort to have each appointment be both fun and educational because we know that kids are more likely to practice proper dental hygiene into adulthood if they are excited about it.

Building At-Home Oral Hygiene Habits

Children learn by example, and parents are the best resource for learning what great dental care means. Brush with your child so that they see how important dental hygiene is. Making it a fun experience can get them excited to brush and floss.

Your child should brush for a MINIMUM of two minutes twice per day – in the morning after breakfast and in the evening at least thirty minutes after they have eaten.
It is important that your child has the right tools for the job. Finding the best toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss for their age group will give them the best chance of succeeding with great brushing. Ask our staff for details on what your child should be using and make sure to replace their toothbrushes regularly!
Using vertical movements, your child should brush the front and back of each and every one of their teeth. Until they are about eight years old, it is important that you help them brush their back teeth as they do not have the dexterity to reach them. A gentle brush of their gums under their lips can also help promote healthier gums.
Flossing each time your child brushes their teeth can get all of the excess food particles that get left behind by brushing. The space in-between each of their teeth is one of the worst breeding-grounds for cavity-causing decay which makes flossing one of the most important parts of great dental hygiene.

Encouraging Good Behavior at Our Children's Dentist Office

We know that kids can get anxious about new experiences and this may cause them to act out. Other kids may have special needs that make dental appointments challenging for a variety of reasons.

young girl playing with toothbrush I pediatric dentistry decatur il Each member of our team is specially trained in children’s dentistry, and we have a number of tricks up our sleeves to help kids have a great appointment. Some of the techniques we use include:

Tell, Show, Do – We tell your child what we are about to do, show them the instrument we are going to use, and then perform the treatment when they are ready. They are never caught by surprise, and we will answer their questions and let them touch the instruments, when appropriate.

Kid-Friendly Language – Dentistry, like all health care fields, has a lot of jargon, which can be confusing and scary for kids. We use descriptive, simple language that kids can understand.

Friendly, Compassionate Staff – Each of our team is here because they love working with kids! A kind word and a friendly smile goes a long way toward alleviating fears and worries.

Most of all, we make our office fun!

Fun Events at Jerger Pediatric Dentistry!

Our staff loves to have fun! Don’t be surprised if you see a staff member armed with a Nerf gun hiding around a corner or running around the waiting room! Kids love being a part of the action, and we know that keeping them occupied and smiling is the best way to care for them. Our staff also likes to reward great dental hygiene any chance we can get. We know that positive reinforcement goes a long way with children, so we offer special things for children who go the extra mile.

Smiles of the Month – Any child with a cavity-free checkup gets their photo taken and hung up on our special wall. This wall can be seen by anyone who comes into our office and is a source of pride for any child who sees their face in the place of honor!

Candy Buy Back – Halloween brings plenty of sweet treats into the hands of children. We offer $1 per pound of candy, up to 5lbs. The best part about our buy back is that all of the candy is then given to Operation Gratitude and sent to our troops! This is a highly anticipated event in our office, and the children really enjoy being a part of something so huge.

Get Started with Our Children's Dentist in Decatur, IL Today!

To schedule a regular dental exam or to ask us any questions, please give our dentist office a call at (217) 875-3080.

Frequently Asked Questions

My child is nervous about visiting the dentist. How can you help?

There may be many reasons you're looking for a special needs dentist in Decatur, IL, and fear or anxiety is no exception. Dr. Jerger and our dental team love children, and we make it our goal to help every child feel safe and welcome when they visit our pediatric dental office.

Our team uses a tell, show, do approach when we are helping children acclimate to our dental office. This means we tell and explain what we are going to do, and we show them the instruments we need to accomplish the procedure. Then we do the procedure; however, we never move forward with any treatment until your son or daughter feels completely comfortable.

There are also a lot of things you can do at home to help your little one feel comfortable and excited about visiting their Decatur, IL dentist. Talk positively about the dentist, even if you feel anxiety about your own dental visits. Read stories or color pictures about the dentist and talk about what your son or daughter will be doing during their appointment to prepare them.

Contact Our Decatur, IL Dental Office

If you're looking for an excellent "kids dentist near me," look no further than Jerger Pediatric Dentistry. Our practice has been taking great care of children in our community for over 50 years!

What is behavioral guidance?

With behavioral guidance, our specially-trained team members at Jerger Pediatric Dentistry can help make your child’s dental appointment go more smoothly.

Our behavioral guidance techniques include:

Telling, Showing, and Doing

We never take your child by surprise with this approach, which could harm their trust in us. Instead, we tell your child what we’re about to do, show them the instrument we will use, and complete the procedure when they’re ready for us to do so.

Caring and Friendly Atmosphere

Our team members chose to work in pediatric dentistry because they enjoy working with children. We provide kind and gentle care in our Decatur dental office with friendly smiles and eager attitudes.

Kid-Friendly Communication

Dental terms can be confusing, even for adults. So when we talk to children in our Decatur dental practice, our team uses kid-friendly language to connect with our young patients, so they can understand why and what we’re doing.

We also offer fun, positive reinforcement for children in our office to encourage the best oral health at home. Read more about our Smile of the Month Club and our Candy Buy Back program during the Halloween season on our Behavior Guidance page.

Discover Behavior Guidance in Decatur, IL

As a children’s dentist in Decatur, IL, Dr. Bret Jerger offers exceptional dental care to young patients in a friendly, stress-free environment. We love meeting new patients, and we look forward to providing your little ones with excellent dental services so they can maintain a beautiful, healthy smile as they grow.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Bret Jerger

I am a lifelong resident of Decatur, IL, and am committed to the health of children in my community. After completing my residency at Riley Children's Hospital, I began working with my father, who established Jerger Pediatric Dentistry in 1966. I have been practicing pediatric dentistry in Decatur since 1995. Together, we have provided care to Central Illinois for over 50 years.

I enjoy helping to create beautiful smiles for our young patients while getting to know them and watching them grow up. My biggest goal is to create a safe, ...

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